Chart Review Research

[Dr Gerrard]

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So I am doing some research with a neurosurgeon, and basically it is monkey work where I just go through a whole bunch of charts and get some data.

But the doc said I would probably get a first author in the Journal of Neurosurgery, as well as another first author in a lesser journal.

1) How is this looked upon? I clearly know that a first authorship is a big achievement, but it would be pretty obvious to most people that the stuff I am doing is not hard at all, grunt work.

2) How do you think I am expected to write these papers without even being in med school yet?

 

[NickNaylor]

A publication is an outstanding achievement. I think everyone would agree that publications in undergrad are a combination of luck and ability, but, regardless, it's still a nice thing to have. In that sense, I think it would be a positive. However, I doubt that you're automatically going to be thought of as an outstanding researcher. As you mentioned, most people involved in academia will probably see right through that.

As far as writing a paper goes... good luck. I would suggest doing some research on PubMed.

 

[tiedyeddog]

It will look good. No one will really cares what your involvement was unless you're applying MD/PhD.

 

[sarahl86]

Man I haaaaattteeee chart reviews. Hopefully the doc will help you out when writing the paper and not throw you to the wolves. Congrats on landing a good opportunity though 👍

 

[kami333]

1) How much input did you have in designing the project, or was it more of being handed a stack of charts and a list of things to look for? As long as you can talk about what you were looking for, why you were looking for it, and any problems that came up (such as having to discuss with the PI about ambiguous symptoms), as well as the results, I don't think it will be a problem. I just wouldn't lie too much about who came up with the idea.

2) He'll probably tell you to read a bunch of Journal of Neurosurgery papers to get a feel for the layout and find relevant citations, then write it, and he'll tear it apart until the only thing left of yours in it is single words in the methods😉

 

[CyclistOK]

It will look good. No one will really cares what your involvement was unless you're applying MD/PhD.

That is completely false. The interviewers I know will question you relatively thoroughly on your research, particularly if it is something they are interested in, or in some way relates to their field. This is particularly important if you have been published.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Oh yeah, I definitely would not lie about my responsibilities.

I was asked to look for certain information, so I just went through the charts and pulled just that.

However, the individual that told me to pull this information was the doc who is generally listed last on the paper, so that just leaves me next in line.

 

[nick_carraway]

I did the same thing before. Personally I think you should get first author because not only is chart review a pain--albeit a greater pain for the medical records guy who has to put your charts back 🙂--but because you're writing the paper too.

For one case, I wrote the paper and was still only in the middle of the pack when it came to authors. In another case, a fellow wrote it and I only reviewed it and got placed in the same order.

So good job! At this stage and depending on the topic, I think literature and chart review data is enough to write your own paper (along with helpful guidance from your boss). I think it'll go well!

 

[JJMrK]

Congrats. If the PI thinks you've done enough work to merit a first author it doesn't really matter what others think. A first author is a first author.

You honestly might not even be expected to write anything. It's possible either way.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Congrats. If the PI thinks you've done enough work to merit a first author it doesn't really matter what others think. A first author is a first author.

You honestly might not even be expected to write anything. It's possible either way.

Wow, this would be ideal. He already told me that I was going to be first author, but I was never really sure if I would be the one writing the paper or not. I always assumed that the first author always writes the paper, but I guess I will just see.

This + a good MCAT score, which I am also studying for currently, would make this the perfect summer (in terms of my goals/academics, not in terms of what I would want to be doing the most).