Participation in a scientific society by medical students associated with the extracurricular scientific production in Latin America

Introduction: There are no reports on whether membership in a medical student scientific society (SOCEM) produces a real significant increase in scientific production. Objective: To determine if participating in a SOCEM is associated with extracurricular scientific production in Latin America. Methodology: A secondary data study was conducted, which used a data base of 11,500 students from 11 Latin American countries. It was determined whether they belonged to the SOCEM of their university. This was cross-referenced with the performing or projected to perform 5 scientific products (works, projects, clinical cases, letters to the Editor, and publication in scientific journals). Association statistics were obtained. Results: Out of the total number analysed, 13% (1,449) belonged to a SOCEM. In the multivariate analysis, it was found that membership in a SOCEM was associated with a higher production of research projects (RP 1.69, 95% CI 1.54-1.85, P <.001), research work (RP 1.42, 95% CI 1.29-1.57, P <.001), clinical cases (RP 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.38, P =.006), letters to the Editor (RP 2.12, 95% CI 1.66-2.73, P <.001), and scientific publications (RP 1.57, 95% CI 1.32-1.87, P <.001). In addition, it was also associated with a higher projection for the performance of a research study (PR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09, P <.001) and to write a clinical case (RP 1.09, 95% CI 1.06-1.13, P <.001). Conclusions: Being in a SOCEM had a positive impact on scientific production, which could be used by some institutions that still have deficiencies in their research processes, because having motivated human resources is an important step to promote Science from the grassroots.