Emphasis OverviewPatient Oriented Research
| Area Leaders | |
|---|---|
Jayant Shenai, MD, PhD |
|
| Area Leaders - Neurological Sciences | |
Richard Shelton, MD |
Thomas Davis, MD thomas.l.davis@vanderbilt.edu (615) 936-2025 |
| Area Leaders - Pediatrics | |
Ian Burr, MD Ian.burr@vanderbilt.edu |
Katherine Poehling, MD |
| List of representative faculty and their research interests | |
| Area Leaders - Surgery | |
Dr Lonnie Burnett lonnie.burnett@vanderbilt.edu 615-322-7358 |
Dr James O’Neill james.o'neill@vanderbilt.edu |
| List of representative faculty and their research interests | |
| Area Leaders - Medicine | |
Dr David H Johnson david.h.johnson@vanderbilt.edu 615-343-9454 |
Dr Mace Rothenberg mace.rothenberg@vanderbilt.edu 615-936-1796 |
Additional list of faculty and their research interests
Description of Area
The National Institutes of Health describes patient-oriented research as, Research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens, and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator directly interacts with human subjects.? The Association of Patient-Oriented Research defines it as,
- Observation and scientific study of individuals or small groups of subjects, for an understanding of their physiologic and pathophysiologic characteristics. The primary focus of the research is on mechanisms of disease on the clinical observations and laboratory studies that define these mechanisms as well as interventions that modify the course of disease. (APOR website)
As both of these definitions demonstrate, patient-oriented research addresses:
- the mechanisms of human disease
- therapeutic interventions
- clinical trials
- the use of new technologies for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease
- the emotional, social, developmental, and behavioral mechanisms of health and disease
In addition to standard randomized clinical trials, patient-oriented methodologies also include self-perception measures (e.g., patients? completing questionnaires), interviews, and focus groups.
The core of this focus area is the scientific study of human participants, to understand the causes of disease, health, and function. This understanding contributes to therapy and prevention. Clinically derived scientific knowledge, laboratory science, and patient-oriented science are core disciplines of the medical profession.
Because all the Emphasis areas can overlap in various ways, individual projects within the patient-oriented research area might also involve laboratory-based biomedical research or health services research.
Nature of Student Experience
- During the first semester of VMSI, the student will be introduced to the concepts of randomized clinical trials, informed consent, study design, and data collection and analysis. Students will have the opportunity to meet with a selection of successful clinical investigators and mentors to outline potential areas of research.
- During the first half of the second semester, students will finalize the selection of a mentor, choosing from virtually any area from the School of Medicine.
- The remainder of the second semester will be devoted to project development with the student's mentor, and preparation for his or her summer experience.
- During the eight weeks of summer work between VMS I and II, the student will be expected to complete a major part of his or her project.
- By the fall semester of VMS II, research will be complete and data analysis will begin.
- The remainder of the Fall and Spring semesters during the second year will be devoted to preparation of a manuscript suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
- During the spring semester of VMS II, all Patient-Oriented Research area students will participate in group presentations and discussions of the hypothesis, experimental design, findings and implications of their research projects.
A research manuscript worthy of submission for publication will be expected of all students. Secondary assignments might consist of a presentation at a national meeting, local presentations, and how-to articles or brochures. The ultimate goal of the experience is for the student to participate in the acquisition and dissemination of new knowledge.
