@article{6363a53751da4fb8822e9c786e5d9b4a,
title = "Surgical research elective in the united states: An australian medical student's experience",
abstract = "The value of surgical research is increasingly recognised by undergraduate medical students interested in pursuing a surgical career. This article describes how an undergraduate medical student from Monash University built upon his surgical research experience from the Eastern Health Surgical Research Group in Australia, by undertaking a 9-week research elective at the Johns Hopkins Center of Surgery Trials and Outcomes Research. Practical issues encountered, such as visa and housing, are outlined. Differing attitudes and trends in surgical research among Australian and American medical students, means of assessing surgical research productivity and the benefits of surgical research are discussed. Surgical research should be encouraged and supported in young trainee surgeons; a short-term surgical research elective can be productive provided the student is focused and realistic about expectations.",
keywords = "medical student, surgery, surgical research, visiting elective",
author = "Leow, {Jeffrey J.} and MacKay, {Sean D.} and Grigg, {Michael J.} and Haider, {Adil H.}",
note = "Funding Information: As part of the final year of Monash University's undergraduate 5-year medical curriculum, students are expected to undertake an elective rotation lasting a minimum of 6 weeks, in any location, in any medical-related field. I decided to use this time to extend my research experience overseas. As I previously coauthored a review article 8 with colleagues from Surgeons OverSeas (SOS), a New-York based humanitarian organization, I was in close contact with Surgeons OverSeas director Dr. Adam Kushner. Because Dr. Kushner completed his surgical residency in the United States, I e-mailed him, asking for recommendations in the United States for my overseas elective. I was attracted to spending time at the Johns Hopkins Hospital because it was the number 1 American hospital according to United States News, and I desired to experience the research culture at a top American academic institution. Dr. Kushner recommended me for a position with Dr. Adil Haider, a trauma surgeon from the Division of Trauma Surgery. I also e-mailed him with a formal letter and my attached curriculum vitae, seeking an opportunity to undertake a research elective under his supervision. Dr. Haider replied formally with a signed acceptance letter, welcoming me on board his research group within a day. I proceeded with the rest of the formal application through the Office of the Registrar of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine for a 9-week clinical research elective, after which I attained approval from my home medical school. Financial support was also provided by Monash University through a medical student elective grant. ",
year = "2011",
month = nov,
doi = "10.1016/j.jsurg.2011.06.002",
language = "English",
volume = "68",
pages = "562--567",
journal = "Journal of Surgical Education",
issn = "1931-7204",
publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",
number = "6",
}