APGO

Ashlesha Patel, MD, MPH

Objective: To discuss the experience of research projects generated through partnerships between master’s students in public health and residents.

Methods: This descriptive study highlights the benefits and challenges of research collaboration between public health students and obstetrics and gynecology residents. The Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Team at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County consist of attending physicians, public health professionals, residents and master’s in public health (MPH) candidates. As a part of the MPH curriculum, students are required to present a capstone research project. Residents are required to complete and present on one research project at the culmination of their 4-year residency. To meet their individual research needs, we have paired MPH candidates with obstetrics and gynecology residents on a single project. Three projects will be described and the benefits and challenges of the partnerships discussed.

Results: Three resident/MPH candidate teams were created to complete separate research projects. The objective of the first study was to describe medical management of ectopic pregnancy in a high-risk urban population and assess rates of follow-up and complication associated with failure to follow up. The resident initially performed the chart review and collected data in a secure database. The student completed the chart review of over 100 patients, analyzed data and generated tables. The resident aided the student in interpretation of data in weekly meetings and guided analysis. The student was able to present the findings at her thesis presentation. The resident has submitted the findings to conference and is preparing the manuscript for submission. The objective of the second project was to evaluate factors associated with endometrial biopsy results and assess whether results were consistent with national benchmarks. The student completed chart review for 800 females who received EMB. The resident interpreted and categorized final pathology results. Resident and student had weekly check-ins to evaluate progress. The student completed data analysis and generated tables. The resident has submitted findings to conference and used the results for fellowship interviews. Both the student and the resident are working on the development of two manuscripts. The objective of the final project was to assess postpartum contraception intent and factors associated with contraceptive choice. Again the student completed the chart review of nearly 900 patients. The student and resident met prior to and upon completion of data collection. The student also analyzed the data under the guidance of the resident and final tables were created. Several iterations of analysis were performed and discussed between the student, resident and research advisors. The student was able to present the findings and fulfill the curriculum requirement. The resident is working on manuscript development.

Conclusions: All three projects were successfully completed in time for the MPH students to present their final research projects. MPH students were able to collect and analyze data. The obstetrics and gynecology resident was able to explain medical results, guide analysis and table development and aide in the interpretation of study findings. While all projects were completed by the student presentation, manuscript development is currently in progress for the three projects. Only one of the three MPH students has stayed in contact to work on completion of the final manuscript. The partnership between the resident and student allowed for data collection to progress when the resident was tending to clinical duties. Additionally, the student was able to perform data analysis, a skill set not possessed by the resident. The resident was able to guide analysis, evaluate medical relevance of findings and interpret results. The partnership between Obstetrics and Gynecology resident and MPH student allowed for the completion of a research project that fulfilled academic requirements for both the student and resident. We anticipate as we expand this program at least 10 projects a year.

Keywords: Resident Research, Education, Teamwork