The prospect of doing research during a busy vitreoretinal surgical fellowship can be daunting. On one hand, it is a useful adjunct to facilitate additional learning, networking, and professional development. On the other, it can be difficult to balance high-quality research with the clinical responsibilities of fellowship.
I interviewed two retina research fellows, Hana A. Mansour, MD, and Bita Momenaei, MD, from Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, who offered practical strategies for success in pursuing research opportunities during fellowship.
About the Interviewees:
OLUFEMI ADAMS, MD: WHY SHOULD CLINICIANS CONDUCT RESEARCH DURING THEIR RETINA FELLOWSHIP?
Drs. Mansour and Momenaei: Engaging in research during a retina fellowship offers numerous advantages and contributes significantly to both personal and professional growth. It provides a platform for continuous learning, allowing fellows to delve deeper into retina.
The field of retina is very dynamic, marked by constant technological advances and new diagnostic and treatment modalities. Staying on top of these innovations is important to deliver optimal patient care, keep knowledge and skills current and relevant, and contribute to the development of more effective approaches for the successful management of retinal conditions.
Additionally, being part of the broader ophthalmic research community creates an opportunity to network with other researchers and helps to foster meaningful connections, which can be valuable for meeting long-term professional goals. For fellows who are strongly considering a career in academic medicine, being involved in research is favorable, and research productivity can be associated with career advancements.
DR. ADAMS: HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY CLINICAL QUESTIONS TO PURSUE FOR RESEARCH?
Drs. Mansour and Momenaei: Being directly involved in patient care provides unique insights into the challenges and uncertainties of clinical management and helps to identify areas where evidence is currently substandard or lacking, or where a wide variation in treatment approaches exists. This creates an opportunity for fellows to identify and then explore ways to refine surgical or medical management techniques and improve patient care.
Being well-versed in recent developments in the field and regularly reviewing current literature also allows researchers to identify knowledge gaps or areas where conflicting evidence exists. This familiarity can help in formulating research questions that address pressing issues and contribute to additional discourse in the field. Offering to be a reviewer for different journals is another way to gain exposure and early access to cutting-edge research.
Attending scientific conferences and national meetings provides a valuable opportunity to engage with peers, learn about ongoing endeavors in the field, gain insights into emerging trends in retina, and identify gaps in our current clinical understanding. This can be useful for generating meaningful research questions.
DR. ADAMS: HOW DO YOU MENTOR TRAINEES WHILE INVOLVED IN RESEARCH?
Drs. Mansour and Momenaei: Trainees, including medical students and residents, are tremendously helpful in moving a research project forward. Conducting high-quality research often requires a large degree of teamwork and collaboration. It is important to get a sense of how trainees can contribute early in the process. Structured training and formal education on the technically nuanced aspects of the project will ensure everyone is on the same page.
Assigning hands-on roles, offering constructive feedback, and acknowledging trainees’ strengths are great ways to facilitate their professional growth and development and foster a culture of learning. Research fellows also serve as important intermediaries between attending physicians and trainees and can help trainees network with people who may be vital to their professional pursuits.
DR. ADAMS: WHAT TOOLS ARE HELPFUL WHEN CONDUCTING RESEARCH?
Drs. Mansour and Momenaei: There are many tools that are easily accessible and aim to streamline the research process. Large databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, can be very helpful in conducting comprehensive literature reviews, and most universities have online access to a vast array of publications.
Data visualization tools such as Microsoft Excel are useful for organizing the collected data. It is important to keep in mind the principles of HIPAA and ensure that collected data is stored in a secure fashion with guidance from the institutional review board overseeing the research study.
Statistical analysis is also a critical component of research. Accessible software programs, such as SPSS, R, and SAS, can be useful for data analysis, and depending on the complexity of the study and the research methodology, expert statistical guidance may also be required. Often, academic programs consult with a statistician. YouTube hosts a vast array of tutorials on popular statistical software that walk researchers through the step-by-step process of data input, analysis, and interpretation, and often include real-world examples, encouraging accessibility for both beginner and advanced users.
Additionally, various referencing tools, such as Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote, can help organize and cite sources, making it easier to manage references throughout the research process.
DR. ADAMS: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF CONDUCTING A CLINICAL STUDY?
Drs. Mansour and Momenaei: The process really begins when a clinician identifies a research idea or question that has relevance, feasibility, and the potential to contribute to the scientific understanding and clinical practice of retina. A comprehensive literature review is then conducted to ensure there is originality and novelty to the investigation. Then, a detailed research proposal is presented to your local institutional review board.
Next, the researchers must identify the variables that will be measured or observed to answer the proposed research question. Statistical methods are then applied for interpretation and analysis, exploring any potential relationship between variables. Subsequently, a manuscript is prepared, including an introduction, the study’s methods and results, and a discussion.
DR. ADAMS: WHAT STRATEGIES ARE USEFUL WHEN PUBLISHING A MANUSCRIPT?
Drs. Mansour and Momenaei: Crafting a manuscript is a very dynamic process. Some writers start with the results section to establish a clear understanding of their findings before writing the introduction. Others start with the introduction to set the stage and give some context. It is important to understand your own writing style prior to starting this process.
The method section should provide a detailed description of the study design, data collection process, and statistical analysis. Tables and graphs help present complex data in a visually pleasing and accessible format to provide a quick overview of the key findings, as is also the goal of an abstract.
The discussion section should highlight the study’s key findings and their potential clinical implications. Acknowledging the limitations of the study and highlighting the strengths and weaknesses help readers interpret the results within the context of these constraints and contextualize the findings within the broader scientific landscape. A suggestion of future research is usually made at the end of the manuscript.
Selecting a suitable journal and adhering to its specific guidelines should remain a point of consideration throughout the process. It often takes numerous submissions to different journals, with peer-reviewed feedback and corrections before a manuscript is published.
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