Work

Protocol for Conducting a Scoping Review on The Impact of Non-academic Activities on Medical Students' Achievement

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Medical education is intellectually demanding and emotionally taxing. Students must maintain academic excellence, acquire professional competence, and manage stress. Traditionally, academic success has been attributed to cognitive ability and classroom performance. However, growing evidence shows that extracurricular or non-academic activities such as research, leadership, athletics, volunteering, and peer teaching positively influence student learning and development. Participation in these activities fosters transferable skills such as time management, teamwork, communication, and resilience, which are vital for both academic success and clinical practice. Moreover, structured extracurricular involvement can protect against burnout, enhance motivation, and strengthen a sense of belonging, all of which are known to support learning outcomes. Despite increasing interest, existing studies remain fragmented and often focus on single activity types or well-being outcomes rather than direct academic achievement. This scoping review aims to map and synthesize the available evidence on how extracurricular participation relates to academic performance among medical students. Findings will clarify the educational value of such activities, identify gaps in the literature, and guide institutional policy and support strategies.

Source: F1000Research

DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.172757.1

Authors: Mira Mohammed Saleh Alawadhi, Aaesha Mohammed Alkharraz Alteneiji, Imran Zafar, Mohi Eldin Magzoub

Institution: United Arab Emirates University

Language: English

Topic: Innovations in Medical Education

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,350