During my third week in the ER, I've had the opportunity to start shadowing the research staff. This has been a great experience because I now understand what my actual shifts will be like throughout the year as an Emergency medicine researcher. During my shadowing shifts, I witnessed the informed consent process and what it's like working with the staff of the SICU (surgical intensive care unit) and MICU (medical intensive care unit). For part of my shift, I was actually left alone to screen patients in the ER and I really enjoyed that experience. I realized it's not always going to be busy while I work and so it was fun to fill my time by getting to know some of the staff who work near my work computer in the ER. They were really interested in what I was doing (explaining what research we are doing is actually quite complicated!) and the process of screening for which patients can apply to our research studies. During my shifts, I also realized how much downtime I'll actually have during a shift and this time will be filled with shadowing the physician and nursing staff! I'm really looking forward to enrolling more patients in our studies as I continue to become more familiar with our research protocols!
This sounds like a great opportunity being able to have real clinical experience. I am in a similar situation, but I am in the diabetes clinic. What has helped me pass time is making friends with the nurses and physicians as it seems you have done. Also I have begun reading additional research papers that could benefit my professor during this downtime. It seems boring and tedious but it really helps you gain ground with your principal researcher. Its just a few suggestions based on my experience. It seems like you are really enjoying it and good luck!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awesome! It is so great that you get to screen patients yourself. You will definitely continue to see so much and learn a lot by watching things happen in the ER. I'm sure this summer will give you great experience for the future!
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