Community-Based Research (CBR) is one of the main activities that help
medical students to acquire several outcome competences of the medical program.
They “Learn research by doing research". Throughout this course, students are introduced to principles of research methodology and biostatistics
and, just in parallel to acquiring theoretical concepts, apply these principles
while they undertake, over a period of three semesters, a complete research
study. This course helps to form the basis for students’ understanding and
appreciation of the importance of research in understanding, maintaining and
enhancing health of the individual and community at large. Students are assigned to work in small groups and, through proper
supervision, they research a health problem derived from the UAE community.
Focusing on the population health allows students to understand the wide scope
and complexity of community and population health maintenance, promotion and
prevention. Students develop skills in communicating their research work
orally, visually, and in written form to fellow students, research supervisors
and faculty members at the College. CBR, plus other research related
activities, puts the students on the road to be scholars; and to be able to
conduct and practice scholarly activities.