Reflection Paper 1: Stakeholders' Research Forum

CONTENT

The Stakeholders’ Research Forum was held on September 15, 2023 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm which featured eight speakers namely: (1) Maria De F. Abejar, RPsy, PhD; (2) Johnny J. Yao Jr., RN, MN, DScN, DM, MHPEd; (3) Tristan L. Abando, MSc, PhD; (4) Bryan Albert T. Lim. MD, FPCP, FPSMID; (5) Verbina M. Estrada, PLT, (6) Antonio E. Yap, (7), Debra Maria C. Catulong, MD; and (8) Emmalyn B. Cutamora, MD. These speakers presented different research topics upon which their organizations focused on in the hopes of motivating the students to conduct researches aimed to improve sectors of the community, society, and healthcare system. Through this activity, the students were able to become more knowledgeable of various topics that could be used for their research (PO7) and were also inspired to conduct meaningful researches in the field of medicine (PO4).

EXPERIENCE

Being able to attend this forum has opened my eyes to the vast amount of ideas that I as a student can research on. To be honest, I was not quite sure what specific topic to choose before this forum. However, I am so grateful to be able to have this experience and opportunity to listen to the different speakers share their expertise in diverse fields such as health, community, family, and more. This forum has inspired me to go beyond my comfort zone and to do research on topics that need focus such as disaster resilience, nutrition, health equity, social protection & welfare, infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, and etc. I also feel very fortunate to be in a school that promotes research not just as a way to progress the field of medicine but also to help students develop breadth and depth in foundational and advanced knowledge as well as acquire skills that will prepare them for their future careers.

REFLECTION

Through this research forum, I have realized the importance of research in not only shaping my academic journey but also the future of medicine itself. Research offers me the opportunity to dig deeper into various fields and enhance my understanding of different topics as well as expand pre existing knowledge. Without research, new discoveries that directly impact medical practices and health outcomes would stagnate and patients would end up being deprived of these latest advancements. In addition, I learned that doing research actually helps me to not only develop my critical, analytical and problem-solving skills, but also cultivate my ability to communicate and synthesize information — skills that are vital as a future physician.

ACTION

First, I plan to choose a research topic that genuinely interests me and that I feel needs more discovery on. Second, I will then conduct my research not just for the sake of compliance, but with the mindset of learning and wanting to impact the medical field. Lastly, I plan to take every step of my research journey as an opportunity for personal growth as I critically evaluate different researches, gather high-quality evidence, and analyze statistical data in the hopes that this skillset will one day help me make better clinical decisions grounded on scientific evidence rather than biases and subjective opinions. 

EVALUATION

As a medical student, taking part in research as early as now serves as my commitment to lifelong learning and providing quality healthcare. Through research, it encourages me to keep myself up to date with the latest research findings and adapt accordingly. As a result, I am able to constantly improve, enhance my knowledge, and provide the best possible care to my future patients. Thus, as I continue my journey through medicine, I hope to embrace research as a cornerstone of my education and future practice, recognizing its crucial role in the field of medicine.