The Volunteer Research Internship Program

The Volunteer Research Internship program consists primarily of undergraduate pre-medical students who are seeking both research experience and clinical exposure. Interns have a unique opportunity to observe not only physicians, but also a busy emergency department. In the past, the Volunteer Research Interns have been chosen from highly-skilled high school students, post-baccalaureate students and even post-medical graduates seeking to expand their knowledge of the clinical research process.

Our Volunteer Research Intern Program can be separated into two sections. During the academic year, our program focuses on studies which do not require consecutive sampling, such as retrospective chart review. During the spring semester, we prepare for the Summer Volunteer Research Internship Program, which is more expansive, usually involving over 50 interns providing 24/7 coverage for appropriate studies in the Emergency Department. During the summer, interns have the opportunity to observe the Emergency Department for an extended period of time. Interns usually spend their time conversing with physicians, residents, nurses, and other healthcare providers in order to truly understand the many tiers in the healthcare process. Furthermore, the interns are able to aid patients in a non-clinical manner.

Interns Enjoying Dinner at Orientation – 6/23/08

A research intern’s responsibilities include completing literature searches, patient screening tasks, data management duties as well as some basic scholarly writing. In the past, Volunteer Research Interns have earned co-authorship on abstracts based on their contributions. Furthermore, interns are offered education days where members of the ED faculty come and give talks on various issues related to healthcare and medical school. Other perks include opportunities to participate in physician-led tours of departments and other informational workshops.  Previous research interns have had overwhelmingly positive feedback both on their time spent at the internship and on activities such as Education Day. Some comments from previous interns include:

“Whether it was bringing people blankets, trays of food, or just keeping them company, I felt that people appreciated my being there. So many patients told me how nice it was to have someone to talk to while they were waiting. I learned so much from the people who I talked to, as well. I met people from all over the country and many walks of life, and that in itself was an amazing opportunity. Additionally, this program gave me a glimpse into the medical field. I was able to watch doctors and nurses as they examined patients, and I observed how they interacted with them. That too was a great experience, and it is sure to prove to be useful in the future.”

“Education Day was one of my favorite days of the program.  Dr. D'Amore was great; between his lecture and what Mae and Dr. Slesinger added, I feel that the interns who attended were given an opportunity to learn more about some of the issues that are most critical in modern medicine that people know little about.”

“The tour of the SICU was a wonderful opportunity, partially because the interns were able to see the hospital outside of the emergency department and assess both the congruencies and differences in layout and patient care in the two departments.  Watching Dr. Slesinger perform rounds and being able to ask questions were great learning experiences for the interns.”

For further information, please refer to the Volunteer Research Internship Flyer.

We encourage all Volunteer Research Interns to apply for research credit from their undergraduate institutions. Many interns can receive course credit for their participation in our program. If you are interested in participating in our Undergraduate Volunteer Research Internship, please send a CV/Resume, cover letter and unofficial transcript to David Soohoo at dsoohoo@nshs.edu.