Research

Student Research

Promotion of research is a major tenet of the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine’s Mission, and involvement of our students in research activities is a priority for the school.

Beginning in the Med-I year, all students benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that teaches them the principles and methods of research, with a focus on epidemiology and population health. In their third year of study they receive a course on computational health informatics in collaboration with the LAU School of Engineering, as well as a course on the methodology of clinical research.

Student opportunities for research extend far beyond these required elements of the program. Medical students are encouraged to utilize our modern basic-science laboratories for research projects under the supervision of school of medicine faculty. Many students take part in clinical studies with faculty physicians at LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital. Still others collaborate with investigators from LAU’s School of Arts and Sciences.

Year-Long Project (YLP) Practicum 

The aim of the YLP is to provide medical students with the opportunity to learn and apply research methods to investigate a health-related problem. The practicum will provide hands-on research experience, building on the skills learned in the population and global health curricula and methodological core competencies integrated in all modules. Students will learn the phases of the research process from conception, to design, to implementation. Through a combination of class sessions and meetings with research mentors and independent work, students in groups will identify a specific health related topic related to the general or clinical population, and that is of particular interest to them. They will formulate a specific research question, design, and conduct a rigorous and internally valid study and present their findings in written and oral format.

A list of the research projects undertaken so far by the medical students at LAU School of Medicine are listed below:

All LAU medical students actively participate in the YLP, or Year-Long Project. This supervised applied research activity in fact spans both the first and second medical years, and students have the option to extend their projects into a four-year practicum and to submit their studies for publication. In the course of the YLP, groups of students identify a health problem of local or global significance, and design and complete a research project relevant to that problem. A number of these projects have been conducted in collaboration with Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, and student investigators in turn have shared findings with the Ministry.

2025-2027

    1. Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Perceived Barriers Toward Pulmonary Rehabilitation Among Lebanese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.
    2. Cyberchondria: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Association with Somatic Symptoms and Depression Among Lebanese Adults.
    3. Use of Health Monitoring Technologies and Its Association with Health and Cardiac Anxiety Among Lebanese Young Adults.
    4. Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia: Incidence, Associated Factors, and G-CSF Utilization Among Breast Cancer Patients in Lebanon: Real-World Data from a Tertiary Hospital Setting.
    5. Artificial Intelligence as a Primary Point of Contact for Medical Advice Among Lebanese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Study.
    6. Cumulative War Exposure, War-Related Online Monitoring, and PTSD Symptoms Among Lebanese Adults Following the 2024–2026 Conflict.
    7. Prevalence and Predictors of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Moral Injury Among Lebanese Medical Students and Residents in Times of Ongoing Conflicts.
    8. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Cosmetic and Therapeutic Uses of Botulinum Toxin Among the General Population in Lebanon.
    9. Awareness, Knowledge, Attitudes and Acceptance of Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics Among Lebanese Young Adults.
   10. Conflict-Related Educational Disruption and Critical Thinking Skills Among Medical Students in Lebanon: The Mediating Role of Artificial Intelligence Reliance — A Cross-Sectional Study.
   11. Trauma and Coping Experience During Conflict: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Displaced and Non-Displaced Lebanese Adults.
   12. Assessment of the Psychological and Somatic State of First Responders in a Conflict Region: A Cross-Sectional Study.
 

2024-2026

     1. Burnout, Stress and Coping Mechanisms Among Nurses in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study.
     2. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intention to Screen for Lung Cancer in a Lebanese Population 50–80 Years Old.
     3. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Acupuncture in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study Advancing Integrative Medicine.
     4. Between Tradition and Choice: Public Perspectives on Virginity and Hymenoplasty.
     5. Intersecting Influences on Specialty Choice Among Lebanese Medical Students.
     6. Perceived Disaster Preparedness Among Lebanese Registered Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.
     7. The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Postural Abnormalities in University Students in Lebanon.
     8. Perceptions, Knowledge and Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals and Students Towards Rare Diseases.
     9. Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes in the Lebanese Population.
    10. The Effect of Social Media Usage on Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Self-Esteem, and Eating Behaviors in Young Lebanese Adults.
    11. Perception and Satisfaction of the Lebanese General Population Towards Telemedicine.
    12. How Social Media Shapes Psychological Well-Being and Influences Skincare and Cosmetic Procedure Choices in the Lebanese Population.
 

2023- 2025

     1. Medical Malpractice: Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Lebanese Physicians. 
     2. Challenges Faced by Lebanese Dialysis Patients During a Multifaceted Crisis. 
     3. Knowledge and Attitude Towards Sunscreen Use in the General Lebanese Public. 
     4. PRISm and COPD Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in a Single Medical Center. 
     5. The Role of Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy in Psychological Women Empowerment in Lebanon. 
     6. Knowledge, Awareness, and Perception of Genetic Testing for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases among Healthcare Professionals in Lebanon. 
     7. Knowledge and Attitudes towards Incidental Findings Identified Through Genetic Testing in the Lebanese population. 
     8. Attitude and Practice of Heated Tobacco Products and E-Cigarettes in the Lebanese General Population. 
 

2022-2024

     1. Knowledge and Attitude of AI in Healthcare among the Lebanese Public. 
     2. Knowledge and Attitude regarding AI in Medicine among Medical Students and Residents. 
     3. The Impact of an Educational Workshops on the Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals towards AI. 
     4. Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Antibiotic Use in the Migrant Population in Lebanon 
     5. Bariatric Surgery and Its impact on Patients Clinical Parameters and Mental Health: A One-Center Hospital Analysis 
     6. Self-Reported Sleep Quality in an Adult Population Undergoing Unprecedented Political, Economic, and Environmental Stressors. 
     7. Assessing Knowledge and Attitude related to Neonatal Screening among Lebanese Health Care Students. 
     8. Assessing Knowledge and Attitude related to Non-invasive Prenatal Testing among Lebanese Health Care Students. 
 

2021-2023

  1. Assessing Knowledge, Beliefs and Attitudes of the Lebanese Population towards Sexual Violence and Sexual Consent.
  2. ​Knowledge and Attitude Towards Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide Among the General Population in Lebanon                                                                       
  3. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Blood Donation in Lebanon: A Population- Based Survey. 
  4. Assessing Global Societal Factors that Can influence Gender Equity: A Content Analysis Approach.
  5. Emergency Contraceptives Knowledge Among Lebanese University Students in Health Care Majors.
  6. Tinnitus in Lebanon: Prevalence and Environmental Risk Factors.
  7. Knowledge and Perception Towards Palliative Care in Lebanon: A Population-Based Study.
  8. Public Knowledge Towards Stroke Warning Signs, Risk Factors and Response in Lebanon.

2020-2022

  1. Dysmenorrhea Among Female Medical Students: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Effects on Quality of Life         
  2. Assessment of Breast Cancer Literacy among Lebanese Women                                                                             
  3. The Lebanese Economic Crisis and Health-Seeking Behaviors of Chronic Disease Patients          
  4. Consanguineous Marriages in Lebanon: Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice
  5. Organ Donation: Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of the Lebanese Population                                                    
  6. Telemedicine in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of the Lebanese Public Perception and Practice
  7. HPV Infection and Cervical Cancer: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Lebanese Reproductive-Age Women
  8. Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Lebanon: A Survey of Prevalence, Risk Factors and Stress-Induced Exacerbations

2019-2021

  1. COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study
  2. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study in Lebanon During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  3. Assessment of Numeracy Skills in Lebanese Adults with Diabetes
  4. Sleep Apnea Prevalence and Its Determinants:  A Community-Based Study in Lebanon
  5. Assessment of Female Cardiovascular Disease Awareness Among Lebanese Women and Physicians
  6. Effect of Stress, Anxiety and Risk Perception on COVID-19-related Preventative Behavior among the Lebanese Population
  7. COVID-19 Pandemic in Lebanon: Assessment of Behavioral Risk Factors and Access to Health Care in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
  8. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Screen-Time Viewing Among Lebanese Young Children’s Parents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2018-2020

  1. Outcome Analysis of Brain-Death Referral to National Organ Donation: A Five-Year Retrospective Hospital Case Review
  2. Patient-Resident Trust among the Lebanese Population
  3. Assessment of Mercury Exposure among Lebanese Fishermen: Prevalence and Association with Fish Intake
  4. Forgotten Edde: Epidemiologic Study on the Relationship between Toxins and Cancer
  5. Beliefs and Behaviors of Lebanese Parents Refusing Childhood Vaccination: A Qualitative Study
  6. Assessment of Health Literacy Levels among Adult Users of Military, Private and Public Outpatient Services in Beirut: A Cross-Sectional Study
  7. Practice and Attitudes of the General Population toward Female Physicians

2017-2019

  1. The Effect of the Source of Sexual Education on Sexual Practice and Perception among Lebanese Young Adults
  2. Stigma toward Depression in a Lebanese Community: Prevalence and its Correlates.
  3. Adherence to Medications among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Dialysis in Lebanon: A Hospital-Based Study
  4. Knowledge and Attitude toward Informed Consent in a Community Setting
  5. Communicable Food and Water Borne Diseases in Lebanon:
    Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Recommendations
  6. Diabetes Self-Management: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Lebanese Diabetic Patients
  7. Approach Of University Students to their Health-Related Problems in Lebanon

2016-2018

  1. Clostridium Difficile: Recurrence Rates and Risk Factors
  2. Professional Burnout among Lebanese Nurses
  3. Knowledge and Attitude of Dietary Supplement Use and its Determinants among University Athletes at LAU
  4. Assessment of Self-Medication in a Rural Area in Lebanon
  5. Sleep Disturbances among Nursing and Pharmacy Students
  6. Aggression in Syrian Refugee Children Attending Afternoon Public Schools in Beirut

2015-2017

  1. Organ Donation in the Eyes of the Nation
  2. Depression and Stigma: A Quasi-Experimental Study among University Students
  3. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Blood Donation in an Adult Lebanese Population
  4. Study of Drug-Use Trends among LAU-Byblos Students: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Motivational Elements
  5. The Relationship between Nargile Smoking and the Prevalence of IBS among University Students in Lebanon
  6. Investigating Sleep Pattern Alterations among Lebanese American University Medical Students

2014-2016

  1. Assessment of Collaborative Pain Management on Post-Surgical Patients in Lebanese Hospitals
  2. Colorectal Cancer Screening, Knowledge, Attitude and Beliefs: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study
  3. Patterns of Alcohol Consumption Among University Students: Mixing Energy Drinks with Alcohol
  4. Prevalence and Misuse of NSAIDs among University Students at LAU
  5. Dispensing of Antibacterial Drugs Without Prescription in Byblos, Lebanon
  6. Assessment of Patient Awareness of Health-Care Standards and Protocols in Lebanon

2013- 2015

  1. Diving Injuries in Lebanon: First Study in Lebanon
  2. Abuse among Married Women in Lebanon and the Physician’s Response: A Cross-sectional Study
  3. Determinants of Patient Satisfaction: a Study in the Setting of In-Patient Care in a Private Hospital in Lebanon.
  4. Correlates of Physical Activity: a Cross-Sectional Study among Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Lebanon.
  5. Level of Sleep Quality and its Correlates among the Institutionalized Lebanese Elderly
  6. Lebanon Epidemic Preparedness and Response to Syrian Refugee Camp Settings

2012-2014

  1. Prevalence of Vitamin D, Zinc, and Iron Deficiencies in Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Lebanon and Impact on Disease Severity
  2. Depression and Anxiety among Kidney Transplant Patients: First Epidemiological Study
  3. The Prevalence of Herbal Medication Use, its Predictors and Potential Side Effects in Lebanon
  4. Assessing Dyslipidemia Awareness and its Associated Factors Among Dyslipidemic Adults: A Cross- Sectional Study
  5. Psychological Insulin Resistance, a Hidden Problem in Type-2 Diabetics
  6. Adequacy of Antidote Stocking in Lebanese Hospitals
  7. Prevalence and Predictors of Herbal Medication Use among Adults in the Jbeil District in Lebanon

2011-2013

  1. LAU Smoke-free Policy: Implementation and Responsiveness
  2. Towards Maximizing Inclusion of Lebanese “Young Adults” with Musculoskeletal Disability
  3. Knowledge, Practice, and Attitude towards Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine among Young Lebanese University Female Students
  4. Antibiotic Knowledge, Attitude and Use Among Undergraduate Students at LAU
  5. School-Aged Children’s Obesity and its Correlates: Life-style Habits, School Environment and School Performance

2010-2012

  1. The Prevalence of Hypertension Among Lebanese Taxi Drivers
  2. Evaluation of Health Care Access to Inmates in Roumieh Prison in Lebanon
  3. Newborn Screening in Lebanon: Implementation and Awareness among Pregnant Women
  4. What are the Stressful Life-Events Medical Students Experience at Lebanese Medical Schools and Why?

2009-2011

Elderly Healthcare Experience in Lebanon: A Comparison Based On Type of Insurance.