Learning the Ins and Outs of Research
Ten years ago, Michael Mirro, MD, ('74) approached Barth Ragatz, PhD, ('71), assistant dean and director of the Fort Wayne Center of Medical Education, about creating a summer research program for medical students. Dr. Mirro, a Fort Wayne cardiologist, wanted to offer students an opportunity to learn about clinical research through an interactive experience. IUSM's medical education center on the Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne campus seemed a natural partner.
To date, the Student Research Fellowship Program, which is co-sponsored by the Midwest Alliance for Health Education, has attracted some 148 students from the Midwest and has become an invaluable learning tool for participants. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the program, which has expanded to include law, nursing and undergraduate students as well as research projects that encompass basic science, public health, medical ethics and health care policy. Each summer about 20 students are accepted into the nine-week program and paired with a preceptor. Preceptors serve as mentors who help develop and guide students' research projects.
Dr. Ragatz is especially pleased with the support and eager participation of the local community and IU faculty. Primary and specialty care physicians, nurses and attorneys from Fort Wayne and faculty from IUSM and the IU School of Law have volunteered as preceptors. "The program could not exist if it weren't for our preceptors," says Dr. Ragatz. "They seem to enjoy and gain from the experience as much as the students. The opportunity to mentor and share their research expertise is quite rewarding."
Dr. Mirro agrees and has served as a preceptor almost every year since the program began. He enjoys watching students' enthusiasm evolve as they accept the challenge of their project and engage in research.
"Many of our students have been so influenced by their research experience that they have pursued a career in the same area," says Dr. Mirro. The experience also has helped several medical students secure entry into residency programs. Students develop a poster, meeting abstract and typewritten manuscript on their research, which they present at the end of the summer. Twenty-eight of the projects have been presented at national meetings or published in peer-reviewed journals. The experience is invaluable.
Stefanie Flora, a third-year medical student, participated in the program for two summers. After doing clinical research projects in cardiology and endocrinology, Ms. Flora gained an appreciation for research and enjoyed the exposure to both areas of medicine. She said the value for her was learning how much work is involved in conducting research, how to write a scientific paper, and how a physician can conduct a scientific study through his or her practice. In the process she also observed and assisted her preceptor in the clinic, which was a great way to explore different specialties.
The expanded program has given both students and preceptors a broader view of health care and the opportunity to explore different health care issues.
"We've been able to do some valuable cross-disciplinary work by including nursing and law students and professionals in the program," Dr. Mirro says. "The medical ethics and health care policy issues that have been addressed are important to health care professionals. We definitely need to expose students to the many different facets of their chosen fields."
Exposure is the key to the Student Research Fellowship Program. And students who participate in the program are guaranteed a worthwhile experience.