MDs-in-Training Deliver Results at Unique Clinical Research Symposium

Monday, June 04, 2007

Four Hospital-based Research Projects Earn "Lang Awards"

Flushing, New York - These days, physician training is a hot topic for a number of reasons. Graduate medical education is the subject of debate for federal healthcare spending levels. Now is the time of year when residents and fellows advance to the next level of training, or graduate from programs and go into practice.  And, a new crop of residents is about to begin internships at teaching hospitals nationwide.

At New York Hospital Queens, the 180 residents and fellows have a unique opportunity. Research is an essential component of medicine, but young physicians are often not exposed to it as part of their training. NYHQ residents and fellows have just completed a new program in which they learned to develop and conduct a clinical research study.  The five-month program developed by the hospital’s Theresa and Eugene M. Lang Center for Research and Education culminated in “Residents and Fellows Day” – a symposium that showcased 31 research projects initiated by residents and fellows.

“Our clinical research program is thriving, and as new physicians come to NYHQ for training many of them want to be involved. We created this program because early exposure to research techniques and principles can better prepare physicians-in-training to become superb clinicians,” said Phyllis August, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Lang Center for Research and Education. “Research presented at Residents and Fellows Day highlighted new approaches to diagnose heart failure, innovative treatments for pancreatic cancer and gastric bypass in older patients. I’m confident that the energy and creativity shown by our young physicians in identifying topics for study will expand the boundaries of medical knowledge,”

During the symposium, the Hospital’s Scientific Advisory Board recognized four presentations with “Lang Research Awards” based upon the soundness of research methodology, potential impact on patients and the quality of the presentation itself. Award winning oral and poster presentations included:

Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score, Procedural Utilization, and Clinical Outcomes in Minorities and Women as Compared to White Men with Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome (NSTE ACS) – M. Rizwan Khalid, M.D., Fellow, Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division

• Research identified that although diabetic patients who present with NSTE ACS have significantly higher TIMI (clot busting heart attack) Risk Scores at hospitalization and higher major adverse clinical events during follow-up compared to non-diabetics, this single-site experience revealed that there were no significant gender or racial differences noted among white and non-white men or women.

Inappropriate Use of GI Prophylaxis in Non-ICU Hospitalized Patients – Muhammad Mir, DO, Resident, Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Division

• Research identified a majority of patients admitted to non-ICU units were inappropriately started on anti-secretory therapy. As well, a number of patients who required anti-secretory therapy failed to receive appropriate treatment.

Perception of Language as a Barrier to Care Among Non-English-Speaking Patients – Steven Shuchat, M.D., Resident, Department of Emergency Medicine

• Research identified that health care workers need to be sensitive to the probability that non-English-speaking patients are less likely than English-speaking patients to understand their diagnosis and discharge instructions. Additionally, non-English-speaking patients prefer hospital workers for translation.

Team Play in Surgical Education: Let Simulation Help Us – Anand Annamalai, M.D., Resident, Department of Surgery

• Research identified that high stress situations simulated in a low stress environment can improve team interaction and educational competencies. Providing simulation training as a tool for surgical education enhances patient care.

The Lang Center was established six years ago and today has more than 100 active clinical study protocols. New York Hospital Queens is a member of the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System and is an affiliate of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Note to editors: full abstract book available upon request