Hey! I’m Jaclyn, an academic foundation doctor at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I recently graduated from University College London (UCL) with an MBBS BSc degree and was also awarded the Robert and Diana Dick prize, a prize given to the best performing international medic at UCL. Just as how I’ve had amazing mentors to guide me throughout my journey, I aim to share some little nuggets of information which will hopefully be useful for you.
How did you get involved in research?
Getting involved in a research project may be daunting at first but trust the process! Most of my research opportunities stemmed from me taking initiative – it’s all about building a good rapport with the senior clinician and showing them that you have the skills to contribute to the research project. My first project was surgical. In Year 2, I went to the operating theatres during my free time to observe and learn from the consultant surgeons. After building rapport, I was able to get involved in scrubbing up to hold instruments (which as a Year 2 student, was a big deal!) and contributed to two research projects. This ultimately culminated in the research being presented at national and international conferences respectively. In addition, I did a BSc year where I focused on more research and even obtained a grant for my work. This opened a lot more doors for me and I do suggest doing a BSc if you have the opportunity to do so!
What skills do you think medical students should develop for research projects?
Fundamentals are always a staple. I would say that having a good command of English is useful when writing a scientific paper cogently. It would also be helpful to know some basic statistical terms. Better yet, know how to do the actual data-crunching itself. This would put you in a good position to make large contributions to the research. Soft skills are also important. Traits such as attention to detail i.e formatting when submitting a paper or designing a poster help to make your work look more professional. Finally, patience. Collecting data and writing a quality paper can take some time. Submitting the paper to the right journal and getting it accepted can take some time. Publication of your work can take some time. Again, it is a process!
What kinds of research can you get involved in?
There are various kinds of research you can delve into. Research can largely be divided into laboratory-based or clinical-based research. For clinical-based research, you may be involved in case reports or case series if there are interesting conditions to write about; non-experimental observational studies like cohort or case-control studies; experimental studies like randomised controlled trials; or systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Every research type has a different methodology, and it is worth knowing that well when designing your study.
How do you get research bursaries and awards?
There are plenty of research bursaries and awards up for grabs – you just need to do your research on them (quite literally)! A basic starting point would be to check the websites of associated speciality colleges/societies. Alternatively, ask the specialists themselves! They would have had so much experience in the field and are in a good position to advise you on what to apply for. To apply for these awards, you (and your supervisor) will usually have to write about your project and include what you will be using the grant money for. You will typically be asked to write a summary of what you have done during your research stint. Don’t forget about elective bursaries. These come in multiple forms and it’s always worth applying for them as early as possible! For example, the Royal College of Surgeons has surgical elective bursaries that you can apply for.
Should you be involved in collaborative studies?
Collaborative studies are a good way to be part of a large-scale research project. This usually spans numerous hospitals. Your role in collaborative studies may vary and you can gain lots of experience from it. However, be mindful that a “collaborator” may not mean that you are an “author” (i.e. your name may not be on the initial list of research authors). This is something you should clarify before embarking on the project.
What advice do you have for medical students who are looking to get involved with research?
When deciding on which research project to embark on, it is useful to clearly define your role with your supervisor and communicate what you would like out of it. For example, if you’d like a publication or a presentation, make that clear from the beginning! Good communication between you and your supervisor is crucial and a fundamental aspect of teamwork.
On the same thread, your supervisor may have numerous projects running concurrently – sending them regular updates on your progress helps not only to keep them posted but also serves as a checkpoint to seek advice if needed.
Above all, enjoy the process of research! It will be a steep learning curve but as with anything, practice does make perfect. Good luck and hope to see you at a conference podium soon!
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