Has anyone done summer EM research?

[jak]

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I am a new medical student and I have this summer coming up after 1st year that I would really like to fill with an emergency medicine research project or clinical opportuntiy. Just a shot in the dark here, but did any of you find such a project the summer after your first years? Or, do you know of any opportunities at your current institutions? Should I be worrying about completing research now, before I have any clinical skills to speak of?

Thanks!

 

[futrEDdoc]

The short answer to your question is YES...but with the following caveats.

1. Make sure that your are doing research because you are interested in the subject and/or research - not just to feather your CV.

2. Find a faculty member who can act as a mentor - not just someone to scut the crappy work to you.

3. Make sure there are clear expectations between you and the faculty member as to your role, duties etc...as well as what type of credit (if any) you will receive if the results are published/presented.


One summer is not really enough time to develop a new idea research project and get it completed. My best suggestion - if you are at an institution that has a academic emergency department - go and meet with the chair/research coordinator or equiv. and ask them for a list of ongoing research and have her/him identify projects that are in a stage that is appropriate for you to jump into (ie - not the manuscript writing phase - but not the "we haven't even written the IRB proposal stage). Then, go and talk to that faculty member and see if they are interested in your help (which they invariably will be - you are free labor). You can make great connections and end up with some additional personal positive stuff on your letter of recommendation for residency applications - plus if you are lucky - you may end up with an authorship on a paper/abstract/poster - and maybe even a trip to a conference.

 

[anonymousEM]

All of the above is excellent advice. By the same token if you are interested in residency in an area other than that of your school, it isn't too early to try to meet some people that may help you in the future. You won't find people everywhere willing to let you come for just a couple of months and do basically what was outlined above, but it is possible. Be aggressive about calling around; you'd be surprised how many places may have a spot for you--lots even will have some sort of stipend and maybe even a curriculum to learn about research, presentations, etc at the same time. Good luck! Most importantly do something you enjoy because next summer will be overshadowed by boards--live life a little; you deserve it for surviving your first year!