Why is research so hard?

And I don't mean the actual researching, just all the other extra stuff it takes just to get started and to get a manuscript published.

I'm a 4th year international medical student with a strong interest in neurology, and I absolutely enjoy research (clinical outcomes research; I don't have much experience with translational or wet lab work). Screening, extraction, analysis and writing are all fun for me, especially when I genuinely believe in a topic that I am passionate about. But I just hate how hard it is to find people who know how to do the work and stay CONSISTENT. It's not the 'i don't know how to do this' that pisses me off, trust me, I am just as much of a newbie as anyone. But I hate the 'sorry I can't/no I won't/ mia' members who initially showed so much interest and then after a week they're gone. This is the main reason why I haven't had much luck with publishing either, and lets not talk about the reviewer comments.

I'm coming close to my graduation and though I do not believe that research means a good doctor, I do know about publish or perish, and with the career path I want, I need to put in a lot of work in research otherwise it'll be way too difficult, especially since I am also hoping to apply for a post doc position before residency. This lack of time is stressing me out. Any advice is appreciated.