A survey exploring research perception of homeopathic undergraduate students in West Bengal, India

Authors

  • Malay Mundle Medical College, Kolkata, Government of West Bengal, India
  • Subhranil Saha Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Govt. of India
  • Munmun Koley Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Govt. of India
  • Jogendra Singh Arya Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Govt. of India
  • Gurudev Choubey Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Govt. of India
  • Sangita Saha Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India
  • Aloke Ghosh Midnapore Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India
  • Subhasish Ganguly D N De Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India
  • Shubhamoy Ghosh Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51910/ijhdr.v13i46.688

Keywords:

Attitude, barriers, homeopathic students, India, knowledge, research perception, undergraduates

Abstract

Background: Prioritizing undergraduate research is emphasized to develop critical analytical skills and thinking, independent writing, future clinical practice, enhanced employability, and improved research productivity. Despite far reaching consequences, research perception of homeopathic undergraduate students has barely been investigated to date. Poor participation of homeopathic undergraduates in research is reflected by a single MEDLINE indexed publication with adequate students’ contribution in the last decade. We aimed to assess their knowledge and attitude towards research and to identify barriers towards successful conduct of research. Methods: Institutional cross-sectional survey was carried out during August-September, 2013 in the four Government undergraduate homeopathic schools in West Bengal, India involving 902 participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed for the purpose depending on earlier studies on medical undergraduates. 364 completed responses were analyzed in the end. Results: Study sample mostly spanned 18-25 years of age group (94%), belonged to urban families (44.8%), with no gender differences (almost 1:1) and no physicians in family (73.1%). Maximum complete responses were obtained from 3rd year students (61.5%) and students of Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital (51.2%). In spite of willingness to participate and keeping a positive attitude towards research, current involvement, training, knowledge and awareness remained quite unsatisfactory. Lack of infrastructure was identified as the chief barrier towards research. Conclusion: Undergraduates had a positive attitude towards homeopathic research, but need a realistic understanding of the research process. Opportunities for research skill development are underdeveloped.

Author Biographies

Malay Mundle, Medical College, Kolkata, Government of West Bengal, India

Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, Medical College, Kolkata, Government of West Bengal, India

Subhranil Saha, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Govt. of India

Senior Research Fellow, Clinical Research Unit (Homeopathy), Siliguri, under Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Government of India

Munmun Koley, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Govt. of India

Senior Research Fellow, Clinical Research Unit (Homeopathy), Siliguri, under Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Government of India

Jogendra Singh Arya, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Govt. of India

Research Officer, Clinical Research Unit (Homeopathy), Siliguri, under Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Government of India

Gurudev Choubey, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Govt. of India

Research Officer, Clinical Research Unit (Homeopathy), Siliguri, under Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Government of India

Sangita Saha, Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India

Lecturer, Department of Organon of Medicine and Homeopathic Philosophy, Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India

Aloke Ghosh, Midnapore Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India

Lecturer, Department of Organon of Medicine and Homeopathic Philosophy, Midnapore Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India

Subhasish Ganguly, D N De Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India

Lecturer, Department of Organon of Medicine and Homeopathic Philosophy, D N De Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India

Shubhamoy Ghosh, Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India

Lecturer and Head, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India

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Published

2021-11-30

How to Cite

Mundle, M., Saha, S., Koley, M., Arya, J. S., Choubey, G., Saha, S., Ghosh, A., Ganguly, S., & Ghosh, S. (2021). A survey exploring research perception of homeopathic undergraduate students in West Bengal, India. International Journal of High Dilution Research - ISSN 1982-6206, 13(46), 28–44. https://doi.org/10.51910/ijhdr.v13i46.688

Issue

Section

Education

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