Students' contribution to the New Zealand Medical Journal: a 14-year review

Aims Little is known about students' contribution to mainstream New Zealand (NZ) medical literature. This study aimed to analyse the pattern of students' contributions to the New Zealand Medical Journal (NZMJ). Methods A retrospective review of all articles authored or co-authored by students, and published in the NZMJ from November 1999 to December 2013. Author and article related information were collected and analysed. Results There were 288 issues and 4205 articles published between November 1999 and December 2013. Students authored or co-authored 376 (8.9%) articles during this time period. There is an increased trend in the number of articles published during the study period in that students published three times more in 2013 when compared to 2000. Senior medical students and postgraduate students contributed the most with 41.2% and 40.3% of the total student publications respectively. Original articles constituted the most common type of students' publications (67.6%). Conclusion Students contributed substantially to mainstream published NZ medical literature. Students' contribution continues to increase and this reflects the increased participation in research activities. Academic institutions should harness this potential and encourage students to publish their research findings.