• 1. Department of Nephrology, Kidney Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China;
  • 2. Department of Post Graduate Students, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China;
SU Baihai, Email: subaihai@scu.edu.cn
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Objective  To investigate the role of participation in academic student associations in enhancing the scientific innovation capability and comprehensive quality of undergraduate medical students. Methods This study was conducted from November to December 2022. Undergraduate medical students majoring in clinical medicine (five-year program) in grade 2017 and 2018 at West China School of Medicine of Sichuan University were included in the study. These students were divided into two groups based on their participation in a five-star academic student associations of West China School of Medicine: the exposure group and the control group. The study compared the average scores of compulsory courses during the first four years of undergraduate study, competency multi-station assessment scores, comprehensive quality assessment scores, and scientific innovation capability between the two groups. Subgroup and stratification analyses were also conducted based on grade level and average scores of compulsory courses. Results  A total of 433 students were surveyed. Among them, there were 348 students in the control group and 85 students in the exposure group. The average scores of compulsory courses, competency multi-station assessment scores, comprehensive quality assessment scores and scientific innovation capability of students in the exposure group were higher than those of students in the control group (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in subgroup analysis by grade level. The sub group analysis of the average scores of compulsory courses showed that in tertileⅠ(≥ 85 and ≤ 100 points) and tertileⅡ (≥ 80 and<85 points), students in the exposure group demonstrated significantly higher comprehensive quality assessment scores and better scientific innovation capability compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). However, in tertile Ⅲ (>0 and<80 points), students in the exposure group exhibited superior scientific innovation capability, although there was no significant difference in their comprehensive quality assessment scores compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion  Participation in academic student associations can effectively improve the scientific innovation capability and comprehensive quality of students with medium and above grades.

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