Categories
General MBBS

How to do Clinical Research as a Medical Student

Now that you have made up your mind to try clinical research, let’s get started! (Still confused? – check out our article on Why you should do clinical research as a Medical Student)

Warning: Doing clinical research as a medical student is not an easy feat. There are going to be times when you are tired of the process. The paperwork, the permissions, and procedures will drive you crazy. Also, there is bio statistics ahead!! Enter at your own risk! Kidding! It is not all that bad, and it’s worth the grind. So let’s get started.

Think about your interests

If you already have a topic in mind that you want to research about, congratulations! You are one step ahead. If you haven’t thought of anything yet, no problem, go to the next step.

Find a guide (Most important)

Finding an appropriate and interested guide is probably the most crucial step. So, choose wisely. Find out the names of the faculty members who are involved with research and have a large number of publications each year. Whether you have a topic in mind or not, approach this guide.

  • Introduce yourself and tell them why you want to do clinical research.
  • Be upfront. If it is for your CV, tell them!
  • If you haven’t thought of a topic yourself, ask your guide if they have something in mind.
  • Joining in existing research is always a good option because it gives you the confidence of doing something on your own.
  • Sort out the authorship from the very start. If you need to be the “first author” on the paper, let them know at the very start – Before you start any work.

Once you have all the details worked out with the guide, they will guide you through the rest of the process. That’s why this is the most critical step.



Steps in doing a research project

 

1.Drafting a protocol

The protocol is an outline if the research that you want to do. It includes an introduction, objectives, inclusion/ exclusion criteria, etc.

 

2.Obtaining Ethics approval

Having an approval of your protocol from an ethics committee adds much value to your research. Most big institutions have an independent ethics committee. Ask your guide.

 

3.Data collection

Once you have ethics approval, you can begin with the data collection. This step is a tiresome and tedious process but should be done meticulously to easy the further steps.

 

4.Analysis

Here’s where the bio statistics kicks in! Hate stats? Don’t worry. You can always outsource a bio statistician. However, we recommend doing it on your own because you gain experience. Learn the basic tests and formula of bio stats. These can be easily found on Microsoft Excel. Use software for your bio stats. Do not go stone age with a paper and calculator! You won’t finish it in this lifetime.

 

 

5.Writing

Now that you have all the stuff that you need, you can begin writing your paper. Go through already published papers. You can find a whole bunch of them on PubMed. See the general pattern in which papers are written and pay attention to the language used.

Keep it easy. Keep it simple.



 

How do I Present?

There are many conferences both national and international. Google conferences and you will find a list. Look for the ones that accept articles from medical students. Presenting your research before sending it to a journal is always a good idea because you are presenting it to your colleagues. Their criticism and questions only help your research better and more complete.

 

How do I Publish?

As always, ASK YOUR GUIDE. Guides are experienced and know which journals will accept which type of research. You can also do an independent Google search and find journals online. Publishing in international journals is always better.

Be ready to have your research rejected by a few journals until it is finally accepted. Remember, it is part of the process.

 

The road from starting any research to finally getting it published is difficult. There is no denying that fact. However, seeing your name on the published manuscript and having people citing the article gives you a sense of accomplishment. A sense of accomplishment that you may not even get from clinical medicine, because your research may be the deciding factor in guidelines regarding patient care in the future.

Through your research journey as a medical student, we urge you to stay as true to your protocol as possible. Do NOT try to manipulate/ forge results as they will only decrease your credibility as a researcher. The joy you get from being true to your research is in fact true joy!


This article has been written by Dr. Rohit Nathani who is an intern at Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India. He has been actively engaged in clinical research with publications as well as international presentations. You can ask him any questions related to clinical research in the comments section below.


We would love to know your research stories or experiences about conferences you have presented at. Head to our contribute page and stand a chance to get your post featured on our website!

 

Categories
General MBBS

Clinical Research for Medical Students

Most of us join medical school thinking that we will be great clinicians and save lives. The picture that comes to your head is that of a doctor vigorously administering CPR or a surgeon doing a complicated surgery. Although these dramatic thoughts give us the adrenaline rush, there are also a lot of other ways in which you can help and improve patient care. Clinical research is one of these things. Moreover, while you will rarely ever get a chance to perform a CPR or even wash up for surgery, as a medical student, you definitely can partake in clinical research.

What is clinical research?

Wikipedia introduces clinical research as:

Clinical research is a branch of healthcare science that determines the safety and effectiveness (efficacy) of medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatment regimens intended for human use. These may be used for prevention, treatment, diagnosis or for relieving symptoms of a disease. Clinical research is different from clinical practice. In clinical practice established treatments are followed, while in clinical research evidence is collected to establish a newer/improved treatment guideline.

Simply put, clinical research helps you to find answers to the most fundamental questions in medicine.



Why should I do clinical research?

Now, most of us will ask this question. Why should I get involved in clinical research when this is not a requirement during medical school? Why should I overburden myself with more stuff? I already must prepare for entrance test and pass exams! Well, below are a few reasons that may make you think differently.

 

CV/ Resume

The number 1 reason why most medical students think about doing research is to have something on their CV. Be it for your residency application abroad or a job interview, (published) research makes your CV stand out from the rest of the herd. Doing research shows that you are passionate about this subject and are willing to go that extra step even when it is not expected out of you.

 

Curiosity

This should ideally be the number 1 reason medical students get into research. Curiosity. A burning desire to know why something is the way it is. Medical research helps you find answers and challenge the most basic “facts” in medicine.

Prepping for the future

Doing research in your Undergraduate will help you gain experience and make you aware of the technicalities and the elaborate process which is involved in a research. This experience will make your path easier for the future research you will have to do compulsorily as a part of your postgraduate training in India.

Also, you never know what might interest you and research can become a part of your career, considering that India needs to start inculcating the value of research in its future generations of medical students.

 

Prestige

Having research papers in your name is something highly prestigious. We’re not saying any research, rather “quality” research that has meaningful use in patient care. When you research a particular field for long enough, you become one of the pioneers in the field. You become an authority on that topic because research makes you thorough with the subject.

 

An opportunity to present your research to the world

When you conduct research, you can apply to various conferences that are related to your topic of research. There are more and more conferences for medical students across the world. Yes! You can present your work both nationally as well as internationally. These conferences broaden your vision as a medical student. They give you the opportunity to interact with and be critiqued by colleagues from different backgrounds. Talk about networking and personal development!



 

Scholarships

There are several government and private scholarship opportunities available for medical students who conduct research. The government encourages research because when you do quality work, you become your country’s pride.

 

 

Are these reasons convincing enough? Are you considering giving it a shot? “But I have never done anything like this before? I don’t even know the R of research!”

Don’t worry! we have an entire article on how you can research as a medical student. Check out our article on How to do clinical research as a Medical Student for a step-by-step guide.


This article has been written by Dr. Rohit Nathani who is an intern at Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India. He has been actively engaged in clinical research with publications as well as international presentations. You can ask him any questions related to clinical research in the comments section below.


We would love to know your research stories or experiences about the conferences you have presented at. Head to our contribute page and stand a chance to get your post featured on our website!

 

Categories
General

The Ultimate Survival Guide for Violence Against Doctors

Disclaimer: The aim of this article is not to decide whether it is the Patients, Doctors, Media or the “Gormint” who is responsible for the rising cases of violence against doctors in India. Rather, we hope to provide a guide that can be followed, to prevent and deal with such instances of violence against doctors. 

There was a time when doctors were considered next to “God” and treated with utmost respect. However, with the turn of events in our country today, doctors are being rounded up and beaten just like the ‘palindrome of god.’

Our super-powers of quick judgment,skills and empathy, help us deal with our patients on a day to day basis. But, we do need to add one to the list – self-defense.

There have been plenty of episodes of doctors facing violence, and not even one of the knee-jerk strikes has led to any change in the scenario. As medics, we are already the smart ones among humans.

It’s high time that we are smart enough to save ourselves and avoid the ICU bed because the conditions are not likely to be any different.

[The Ultimate Survival Guide for Violence Against Doctors]

You are not God!

Remember that time the patient in the ward told you,

“Beta aap toh humare liye bhagwan jaise ho (Son, you are like God for us)”

All of us have heard this compliment at some point during our lives as medical students/ doctors. Felt good, didn’t it? Now consider, the same patient gets their son gasping to the Emergency Department. You try your best to resuscitate the boy. Alas! That life could not be saved. However, you were “like God” right? You did accept it, remember? That, right there, is breaking the trust that the relatives had in you. This broken trust is often vented out as anger leading to the catastrophic set of events that ensue.

We need to establish this from the very start. We are as human as the patient, and we will try our best as a fellow human being to save the patient’s life.

So the next time, somebody calls you God-like, hasten to remind them that you are just another highly qualified human doing their job.

 

The harbinger of bad news

Majority of instances of violence against doctors happen at the time a patient is declared dead. You will have to do this at some point in your career. Declaring death is a difficult job, because it entails proper counseling and explaining to relatives scientific things at a time when they have just lost their loved ones. Here’s how you can go about it:

Inform Security

Always, always inform the security before you declare a patient dead. I know those malnourished a-muscular men are not worthy of being called security, but they’re your best bet. After all, Captain America was just Steve before becoming Captain America. Don’t doubt their strength, they already do.

Chose the right setting

Do NOT declare deaths in the ward. Take the relatives to a quiet place (like a side room). Make them comfortable. Provide them with a glass of water.

Call the Senior

Do not rush into a situation that you are not confident of handling. If you are not sure about how it is done, there is no shame in calling a senior doctor to help you. It is wise to observe how others do it a few times before you go ahead and break bad news independently.

 

Learn to say NO

You are the doctor, and you have the right to reject treatment to a patient when you know the relatives are potential troublemakers. I know it’s moral obligation to help people as doctors, but you can only do that as long as you are alive.

*This may not always be possible. For example, in any set up, you may be required to provide emergency medical care to every patient*

 


Someone more qualified? Refer.

Since medicine is evolving at such a rapid pace, it is impossible to know everything. If the facility has a more qualified specialist (example a cardiologist), immediately refer the patient. Don’t attempt to treat something you are not trained to.

 

Mob Control

Avoid having multiple relatives. This is not your job and you can’t do much about it. It is the job of the ‘security’ and the ‘hospital administration,’ but you can remind them time and again because laaton ke bhoot baaton se nahi maante.

 

Look for STAMP

Violence against doctors is now a well researched field. It is often easy to predict when a patient or their relatives can turn violent. Look for these useful indicators:

  • Staring or lack of eye contact
  • Tone and volume of voice
  • Anxiety levels of the patient
  • Mumbling
  • Pacing

If you notice the signs mentioned above in a person, be on high alert. Immediately keep the security on standby and get your seniors to help you handle the case further. Stay Alert!

 

Communicate, communicate, communicate

Be empathetic, explain everything about the procedure that you intend to do. Take a written informed consent. The condition of the patient, the prognosis, the risks involved- talk out everything! This can be the most important part not only in saving yourself but also in satisfying the family because, in the end, everyone has morals or some societal values, however uneducated or ignorant they may be. You need to appeal to that sense and leave them with the confidence, that you did your best for the patient.

 

Create your own alarm systems

Tired of asking the hospital administration to install alarm systems?

Be the change you want to see.

Create an SOS WhatsApp group with all the residents. No good mornings, no recipes, no adult jokes. This group is STRICTLY for emergencies. If you notice the situation getting out of hand in any part of the hospital, quickly drop a text stating your location. Our sheer numbers are enough to stare down any mob.

Play Kung Fu Doctor

Learn self-defence, karate, Kung-Fu, kushti, kickboxing- doesn’t matter if you’re thin or fat. If a panda can become a Kung-Fu master, so can you. If all the above measures fail, and you find yourself in a situation where you think violence is imminent, follow your gut! If you think you can block a few blows and land some, go for it! It’s self-defense. However, if you are surrounded by a mob, there is no way you can overpower so many people. In that case, run! Always make sure you have an exit planned in case things go south.

 

So that was our Ultimate Guide for Surviving Violence against doctors. Have suggestions you would like to add? Comment below.

-Dr. Saad Ahmed and Dr. Rohit Nathani

(The Indian Medical Student Team)

If you liked this survival guide, share it with your fellow medical students. It may save their lives.


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