Should I feel compelled to do research?

Editor - I agree with Kathleen Collier that increasingly some members of the medical profession feel under pressure to carry out research to advance their medical careers.1 however, it is important not to lose the big picture as to why we should want to carry out research. Medical research is more important than just advancing scientific knowledge, as Kathleen Collier implies.

Research is essential to move medicine and surgery forward, as this can be done only using the scientific knowledge gained from accurate and rigorous experiments, studies, trials, and reviews. We go to medical school to learn how to be a good doctor, and that should include how to carry out and interpret research. If we neglect research then we face the possibility of not giving patients the best possible care.

Hannah Slack, fourth year medical student, University of Manchester
Email: hannahslack@yahoo.co.uk


studentBMJ 2001;09:305-356 September ISSN 0966-6494

1. Collier k. Should I feel compelled to do research? studentBMj 2001;9:253. (july.)