ResearchThere is a strong research emphasis within the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. While the currently active clinical projects include such diverse areas as toxicology, neurosciences, and departmental administration, there is a primary focus on emergency cardiovascular issues. In conjunction with this clinical research is a fully equipped basic sciences laboratory with an experienced research technician. In addition, substantial grant support has been obtained in the areas of telemedicine and organ recovery within the past year. The department also has a strong relationship with NASA scientists has several ongoing projects dealing with astronaut health issues. Some other selected research topics within the departmental expertise are:
Hemodynamic Shock The department uses this strong research foundation as a template for resident training and as a philosophy for the approach to acquisition of knowledge. It is important to balance the Evidence-based Medicine approach with Scientific Reasoning and individual Clinical Experience. Summers, RL. Evidenced-based Medicine vs Scientific Reasoning. Acad Emer Med. 1996 3(2):183-184. In the residency training program, the research curriculum is based on the structure of the Scientific Method. This methodology also drives an organized approach to patient care in which the history and physical is considered observation, the differential diagnosis correlates with hypothesis formulation, and objective laboratory testing of the hypothesis is done to reach a conclusion or final diagnosis. Summers RL, Woodward LH, Sanders DY, Galli RL. Research Curriculum for Residents Based on the Structure of the Scientific Method. Medical Teacher 1998; 20(1):35-37. As is mandated of all emergency medicine residency programs by the RRC, our department requires completion of a scholarly project for graduation. A detailed description of the objectives and content of this requirement are outlined in the white paper report as published by the Research Director's Interest Group and approved by the SAEM Board of Directors. Summers RL, Fish S, Blanda M, Terndrup T. Assessment of the "scholarly project" requirement for emergency medicine residents: report of the SAEM Research Directors' workshop. SAEM Research Directors' Interest Group. Acad Emerg Med 1999;6(11):
|
