Research is something you have most likely encountered or will inevitably encounter in your professional journey toward becoming a physician. Yet, even with its omnipresence, it can sometimes feel like a mysterious and perplexing realm to navigate. In this episode, Andy is joined by guests Mary McLean and Jestin Carlson to discuss the critical aspects of engaging in research as a medical student. This episode offers insights and practical strategies to overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities that research presents for both medical students and physicians.

Finding Your Motivations and Goals

Understanding why you’re interested in medical research and what you hope to gain is paramount. Whether driven by curiosity, a desire to contribute to medical knowledge, or aspirations for personal and professional growth, clarifying your motivations can set the foundation for a fruitful research journey. Identifying why you are interested and what you hope to achieve provides direction and purpose in shaping your future research endeavors.

Seeking Guidance and Support

Seeking guidance and support in navigating the realm of medical research is key for medical students facing the challenge of balancing academic responsibilities with research endeavors. With time and energy already stretched thin, finding this equilibrium can feel like threading a needle in a storm. The diverse spectrum of research opportunities, from case reports to longitudinal studies, can leave students feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about where to begin. Amid this uncertainty, having a mentor is invaluable. 

Mentors can be found through various avenues including meeting with attendings or residents during clinical rotations, utilizing online platforms like professional networking sites or university directories, and exploring local connections within medical schools or nearby residency programs. Keeping an eye on school emails for research opportunities, connecting with professionals on social media platforms such as Twitter, and joining organizational listservs such as EMRA Basecamp are proactive ways to seek mentorship. Establishing these mentor-student relationships offers crucial guidance and support, while also fostering opportunities for collaborative research projects and career development.

Exploring the Array of Research Opportunities

While bench research may seem daunting to some, there are accessible avenues for engagement. It’s important to recognize that your first research project doesn’t have to be groundbreaking; case reports offer a valuable entry point and can be completed within manageable timeframes. Additionally, opportunities abound at conferences, where presenting case reports can garner significant attention and recognition. Whether delving into basic science, clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, or educational endeavors, there are structured pathways available, often with templates to streamline the process. From pocket projects that span 30 days to ongoing longitudinal studies, there’s a research niche suited to every schedule and interest.

Navigating Challenges and Maximizing Opportunities

Embarking on research can pose many challenges for medical students who are balancing the rigorous demands of medical school along with clinical rotations. However, taking research one step at a time is a simple way to ease into the daunting yet exciting world of academia and scientific inquiry. While prospective randomized control trials are great, they are not the expectation. Case reports are another great way to explore and analyze clinical questions and hypotheses. This is a valuable way to strengthen your residency applications, however, be sure that your involvement in research does not take away from your other responsibilities as a medical student. While research adds depth to an application, it should be viewed as part of a holistic approach, complementing other aspects such as standardized exams, personal statements, and extracurricular activities.

Take-Home Points:

1. Define your motivations and objectives before embarking on a research journey.
2. Seek guidance and support from experienced mentors! There are many people who want to guide you through research opportunities.
3. Research is not the only way to bolster your academic pursuits, but it does serve as an excellent avenue to explore interests and advance your scholarly trajectory.

Helpful Links:

1. https://www.saem.org/research
2. https://acoep.org/education-events/research-competitions/
3. https://www.acep.org/topics/research
4. https://www.aaem.org/aaem23/program/competitions/

About Our Guests:

Jestin Carlson, MD

Program Director, Saint Vincent Hospital EM Residency Program and Vice-Chair of the Allegheny Health Network IRB

Mary McLean, DO

Associate Program Director, AdventHealth East Orlando EM Residency Program

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