Telehealth Outcomes at Riley Children's Hospital
Telehealth Outcomes at Riley Children's Hospital
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Narrative/summary of experience:
Narrative/summary of experience:
Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, I had the opportunity to work under Dr. Coven on a telehealth research project focused on improving pediatric oncology care. Our research centered on understanding how social determinants of health impact access to telemedicine for children undergoing cancer treatment. I was responsible for compiling and analyzing data, identifying key trends in patient demographics, and visually representing our findings in a research poster, which I later presented at the Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference and at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. This experience helped me bridge my background in biomedical informatics with real-world healthcare issues, particularly the growing need for equitable digital health solutions. Working with Dr. Coven’s team challenged me to think critically about how data can be used not just to describe patient populations, but to advocate for systemic change. It also allowed me to deepen my understanding of research design, ethics, and the importance of accessibility in pediatric healthcare.
Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, I had the opportunity to work under Dr. Coven on a telehealth research project focused on improving pediatric oncology care. Our research centered on understanding how social determinants of health impact access to telemedicine for children undergoing cancer treatment. I was responsible for compiling and analyzing data, identifying key trends in patient demographics, and visually representing our findings in a research poster, which I later presented at the Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference and at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. This experience helped me bridge my background in biomedical informatics with real-world healthcare issues, particularly the growing need for equitable digital health solutions. Working with Dr. Coven’s team challenged me to think critically about how data can be used not just to describe patient populations, but to advocate for systemic change. It also allowed me to deepen my understanding of research design, ethics, and the importance of accessibility in pediatric healthcare.
Presented Poster at the Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference and at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research
Reflection:
Looking back on my time with Dr. Coven’s lab, I see how much this project shaped both my academic growth and my perspective on healthcare. Before this experience, I understood telehealth mostly in terms of convenience and technology. But as I worked through datasets highlighting disparities in pediatric oncology access, I began to see the more difficult truths, that not all children have equal access to care, and that factors like income, location, and language can determine whether a child gets timely treatment. There were moments during the research where I found myself emotionally overwhelmed by what the numbers represented, as it represented children who missed appointments, families struggling with internet access, communities left behind. It reminded me that behind every data point is a story. This project not only sharpened my technical skills in data analysis and research communication, but it also deepened my sense of responsibility as a future healthcare provider and scientist. I learned that research isn’t just about publishing results; it’s about listening to patterns in the data that speak to real lives, and using that insight to push for a more just and accessible system of care.
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