AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON FOSTERING EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER GROWTH THROUGH AN INTERPROFESSIONAL UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL CONFERENCE AT A PRIVATE SECTOR UNIVERSITY IN PUNJAB.

JPUMHS;2024:14:03,12 19.http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2024/14.03.529

Abstract

ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study explores at how undergraduate research conferences influence students' perspectives and
promote career development. Through the use of the contextual learning concept, it explores how these conferences function
as experiential learning opportunities and aid in the development of critical graduate competencies.METHODOLOGY:
This investigation was qualitative design. 211 students who participated in Rashid Latif Medical College's Interprofessional
Undergraduate Student Conference were interviewed to gather data, and theme analysis was used to pinpoint and match their
skill improvement.RESULTS:The three main advantages of attending the conference, according to the students, were the
opportunity to engage with other professionals, present papers and posters and get feedback, and fully experience the
conference atmosphere. Many of the talents and qualities they reported were in line with the domains of the Five-Star and
Seven-Star Doctor frameworks. In order to compare the projected results with the actual skill growth, the study also looked
at student engagement. CONCLUSION: Conference planners can learn a lot from this study about how to create programs
that optimize interprofessional undergraduate students' skill development. Additionally, it gives learning creators advice on
how to help students get ready for these kinds of conferences. By emphasizing the importance of undergraduate research
conferences for networking, improving communication skills, and cultivating competencies pertinent to undergraduate
medical and allied health sciences students, the study closes a knowledge gap regarding how these events support skill
development in interprofessional contexts.