Surgical Research At Med School Level

[anesthete]

Hello all,

I have an upcoming meeting with a community subspecialist surgeon to discuss research opportunities. She has asked me to come up with some ideas and methods for a research project we can conduct together that is not 'just' a case report.

 

I have a strong interest in, (and, what I would like to think is a fairly decent knowledge of the basic fundamentals of the discipline) but no sense of what would be the type of research project would be an appropriate type of study at this level (medical student going in to second year).

 

I am typically used to assisting with previously-established projects so this is a bit new to me.

 

Would anybody have any perspectives on what kind of research (methodologically) is typically conducted at this level?

A chart review perhaps? But of what - the incidence of one specific pathology?

 

I'm sorry if this sounds terribly uninformed; this is a new 'space' I am trying to navigate and would really appreciate any assistance.

[Bambi]

Literature review?

[robclem21]

Literature review?

 

I agree. A systematic review is always a great place to start when you're new to a field. I would come up with a list of research questions that could be investigated via this route (and would be of interest to the field) and maybe take a quick glance at the literature to see if it is feasible.

[Bambi]

If literature review, you could let the surgeon point you in the direction of potential areas of interest. Such a topic is not potentially very time consuming and it can result in a publication as a bonus.

[Lactic Folly]

Maybe a focused survey or quality improvement intervention, or something in the realm of education.

[Anythingradiation]

QI is great for community sites.

[NLengr]

Survey is probably your best bet. It's hard to do a systematic review unless you actually have some background in the field.