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Oh
No…Not Research!
Like
it or not, research is a key component of moving this profession
forward and further establishing our position in the health care
arena. Many practitioners dread doing anything that even slightly
resembles research for fear that it will end up committing them to
‘homework’ reminiscent of high school book reports, etc. Others
believe that their practice and their daily routine are just too
busy to accommodate the dedicated time blocks necessary to
accomplish worthy research. Not true. I challenge you to not fall
into this belief, but rather you should find a productive way to
incorporate research into your routine as a resident or
practitioner.
Research can take on many shapes and
colors. Opportunities range from taking the time to write up a
unique clinical case for publication, to bench research looking at
the histopathology of the diabetic Achilles tendon. There is, of
course, much in between, including clinical trials research and
retrospective review papers of procedures you perform frequently.
There is so much that we do everyday that is yet to be
scientifically proven in a manner that would qualify as an Evidenced
Based Practice.
Another stumbling block that some
cite is a lack of funds. First of all, clinical trials of new
drugs/devices are generally supported by industry and provide
budgetary coverage of all study related expenses. Matter of fact,
patients are often paid a small financial incentive by the study to
participate in the trial and comply with the prescribed
treatment/follow up visit schedule. Additionally, many of our
national associations are now offering substantial research grant
funding to applicants who are willing to undertake a worthy project:
American Podiatric Medical
Association: Limb Salvage RFP (recently closed but others likely to
follow)
http://www.apma.org/s_apma/secmember.asp?CID=648&DID=18991
American College of Foot and Ankle
Surgeons: 2006 Research Grant Award (application deadline Dec 2006)
http://www.acfas.org/NR/exeres/452E9310-C177-439D-88D9-F86D7BD8E7CB.htm
I hope that next time you come across
a clinical question that merits further investigation, you consider
answering that question yourself and sharing the outcomes of your
work with the profession…we will all be better off because of it.
Have a great rest of the week!
John Steinberg, DPM
Editor - PRESENT
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