Taking Shape

In the beginning of the research program, we newbies mostly stood around the E.D. with blank-ish, quasi-confused looks on our faces.  Not even the white lab coat armor could hide the look.  Telling us apart from noodle-necked infants would have been tough, for due to our inexperience and ignorance of the system, everything seemed shiny and new.  At least we weren’t drooling, well… most of us weren’t. 

Thankfully, in the last few weeks that look has grown from one of befuddlement to one of sincere interest, intent and drive.  As we have gained greater understandings of the research studies, the enrollment criteria for each, of who we should approach as possible candidates, and how we should approach them, our role as researchers have become far more defined, and from that definition we have drawn a sense of confidence.  And now that lab coat armor comes in handy.  I can see the confidence on the faces and hear it in the words of the other researchers - no more noodle necking for us. I suspect that in the future, as we become more cohesive as a research team and gain a better ‘feel’ for how to approach patients, how to speak with them and their families, how to decide if one could be enrolled, and what aspects to avoid, that we will enroll more patients in studies, and the position will become even more rewarding.  Here’s hoping.