My Internship
Site Overview
I serve as a research intern for Dr. Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds, whose research focuses on decision-making surrounding periviable delivery. In the event of periviable birth, babies who are born between 22 and 24 weeks’ gestation are not developed enough to live outside of the womb. As such, families face the difficult decision to choose life-saving measures for their child (i.e. "resuscitation") or avoid painful procedures to allow for a natural death (i.e. "comfort care" or "palliation").
During my time in LHSI, I have been tasked to assist with data collection for a multi-institutional collaborative project called, “Investigating Neonatal Decisions for Extremely Early Deliveries” (INDEED), led by Drs. Tucker Edmonds (IU) and Dr. Dalia Feltman (NorthShore University). This medical record chart review study was originally piloted using data from 2011- 2015 from six institutions and is now undergoing a second initiative, referred to as “INDEED 2.0”, to include 2016-2020 data from a total of 15 institutions. This study seeks to examine maternal interventions and institutional practice guidelines that increase neonatal survival rates and outcomes for periviable deliveries at centers with higher resuscitation (HR) and lower resuscitation (LR) rates in the delivery room.
The INDEED Collaborative has grown over the years to include the following institutions: University of Chicago, Indiana University, Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Mississippi Medical Center at Jackson, University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins, Brandon Regional HCA, St. Vincent, Vanderbilt University, Madigan Army Hospital, University of Hawaii, University of Virginia, Columbia University, Northwestern University Prentice Women’s Hospital, and Advocate Christ Hospital.
Click these buttons (or go to the drop down menu on my site) to learn more about my internship!
Meet my Supervisor: Dr. Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds
Dr. Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds is a clinician and health services researcher at IU School of Medicine. She is nationally and internationally recognized for her work in disparities, shared decision-making, and periviable care. The importance and motivation behind her work is driven by her goals to eliminate health disparities, advance social justice, and promote professionalism and humanism in the care of minority and underserved populations. Learn more about my amazing supervisors, research, awards, and achievments by pressing the button below!
Why is this Research Important?
Approximately 0.5% of births occur before the third trimester of pregnancy, and 40% of these births account for infant death.1 Yet, there is currently minimal research upon this population group. Infants that are born within the periviable gestational age (22-24 weeks of age) face significant morbidity and mortality rates since they are not developed enough to live outside of the womb without life-sustaining measures. Parents of periviable infants are tasked with making end-of life- decisions, often having to make these decisions quickly while in the delivery room. There are two courses of action that can be taken, resuscitation or comfort care. Resuscitation involves life-saving procedures that may be painful and many infants can experience long term cognitive and physical disabilities. Parents can also opt for comfort care, which does not involve any life-saving interventions, and let their baby pass away naturally. These difficult ethical decisions need to be researched in order to find the best delivery course of action within hospitals in order to improve neontal suruval rates, as well as be able to best guide the parents of these periviable infants as they navigate through making the best decision for their family.
Why I Chose This Internship Site
I was drawn to this internship site because of my interest in the research subject being conducted. My career goal is to become an OB/GYN, and aiding in research about a very complex, obstetrical circumstance is a great way to learn more about the field and become more versed on the topic of extreme preterm birth. I was also interested in Dr. Tucker Edmonds' internship site, because I have a passion for community-level work and helping those in need. Her research addresses racial/ethnic disparities, access to care, and the importance of informed decision making in the setting of uncertainty.
How this Internship Site Will Allow Me To Build My Existing Talents and Strengths
My Internship site will allow me to build upon my existing talents and strengths by pushing me outside of my comfort zone and working as an Intern for the first time on a research team. I will be completing tasks such as chart review, data abstraction, and literature reviews, all of which I have never done before. This opportunity will also help me to hone on my communication skills by having to professionally communicate with my supervisor and her research team in a clear and concise manner.
What I Hope to Learn From this Internship
How to use and navigate Cerner (medical record system for IU Health) and REDCap (a secure data management system). These medical databases will be very helpful to use as I pursue my medical career.
To learn how to chart and analyze data in order to make meaningful associations.
To improve my professional communication skills, as well as make meaningful connections with my co-workers.
Learn how to successfully conduct Literature Reviews
Learn how to write scientific research papers
Learn more about the research approval process
How this Internship Fits in with What I am Learning in Class
Helps me gain a better understanding of how scientific papers are written and planned.
Learning a lot about human biology, reasoning, and medical terminology for certain pregnancy-related health problems and complications.
Meaningful Experiences I have had at my Internship + Professional Behavior I want to Develop
Some instances of meaningful internship experiences
Feeling a part of the team by being invited to attend meetings and learn about my supervisor's other research projects
Being able to meet and introduce myself to other researchers around the country
Having a nice conversation with my supervisors after the weekends to catch-up and have a normal interaction that is not work-related
Being encouraged and praised for the work I have done and receiving constructive criticism
Professional Behavior I want to develop
Confidently communicate with other researchers and doctors during meetings
Learn to communicate with more clarity and fluidity
Not being afraid to speak up and ask more questions
Learn to manage my time more wisely
What I have Learned as an Intern + Favorite Experiences
I have learned so much throughout this internship, and I know as my research project continues to progress, I will learn a lot more! Here is a condensed list of some of the most important things I have learned so far!
How to conduct a qualitative analysis for the first time
Conducting Literature Reviews
How to apply constructive feedback more meaningfully
How to introduce myself to new researchers
How to use Cerner and REDCap
Understand what it takes to be a researcher
How the Institutional IRB approval process works
The importance of CITI training for conducting ethical human subjects research
My Favorite Experiences...
Presenting my projects to my supervisor and being told I did a good job :)
Being able to chat with my supervisors more freely, have normal, non work-related conversations, and build more meaningful relationships
Being involved in many team meetings and learning about all the amazing projects my supervisor is involved in
Meeting other researchers and doctors
Having such an amazing and supportive team of supervisors
My Internship: Successes and Challenges
List of my Successes:
Effectively and professionally communicating with my supervisors
Submitting my assigned work on time and meeting my supervisors expectations
Learning new skills such as qualitative analysis, how to conduct literature reviews, use Cerner and REDCap systems
Being more comfortable asking for help when I need it
List of my Challenges:
Becoming more comfortable speaking up during meetings
Expectations vs Reality
What surprised me the most with the day-to-day about this job was the amount of literature researching I had to do and the minimal amount of interactions researchers have with the community. My experience was different than I expected due to COVID-19. I was hoping to have the opportunity to have some more patient interactions, but I still feel like my work was very important to the team and I have had a good experience learning more about what is takes to be a researcher during a very unique situation.
Strengths as a Team Member
Collaboration with new team members
Communciating with my team
Learning new skills quickly and applying constructive feedback
Understanding of my role within my team
Honesty, Transparency, and Flexibility
