IFMSA-JO BIANNUAL MAGAZINE
MARCH EDITION 2021
The International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), founded in 1951, is one of world's largest student-run organizations. It represents, connects, and engages every day with medical students from 135 Member Organizations in 125 countries around the globe Work is divided into four areas: Public Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Medical Education, and Human Rights and Peace. Every year, we organize 13,000 clinical and research exchange programs for students to explore innovations in medicine, healthcare systems and healthcare delivery in other settings; bringing people together to discuss and initiate projects for a healthier world. It trains its members to give them the skills and resources needed to be health leaders. It advocates for the pressing issues that matter to us to shape the world we want. And it does deliver: our projects, our campaigns and our activities positively impact the physicians-to be, the communities they serve, as well as the health systems around the world in which they practice as a trainee and eventually a medical doctor.
IFMSA has been run for and by medical students on a voluntary basis; showing that they are not passive in a globalizing world, but have a powerful role to play in global health and show them that their goals can be achieved with knowledge and commitment. In IFMSA, the emphasis is placed on students returning to their local environments with new ideas and the skills to implement them. As the doctors of tomorrow and future leaders of health, we feel confident that our students will carry this spirit with them throughout their professional lives.
IFMSA IFMSA-JO
In 2006, the Jordanian National Member Organization joined the IFMSA global entity. Ever since, IFMSAJo has served our community through multiple activities, divided into four main global health areas: Public Health, Medical Education, Human Rights and Peace, and Reproductive Health. One of the aims of IFMSA-Jo is to motivate medical students in all medical schools around Jordan to get involved in their communities through active participation in voluntary work, and to provide them with the necessary tools and skills to become successful future doctors and health leaders. It is guided by the vision of serving our community and reinforcing Jordan’s national health through igniting and uniting the knowledge and potentials of medical students. Our mission is to empower our members to use their knowledge and capabilities, whilst providing a link between members, medical students associations, and national and international organizations to encourage the cooperation between them for the ultimate benefit of society.
IFMSA-Jo is composed of a National Committee and six Local Committees in the following universities; University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Mutah University, Yarmouk University, Hashemite University, and AlBalqa Applied University.
FARISAL-ABBADI PRESIDENT
SHARIFSHALABI
SECGEN
AMMARAL-SHALABY
ALA'AALRAWASHDEH VPIA VPA TREASURER
SUPCO
MOHAMMADZAIDAN
MOHAMMADMOHSEN VPE
BASMAOWDA VPM
ABDULLAHAL-ZOUBI
HUSAMTARAWNEH
ABDULLAHAL-DABBAGH
MALOUF
MEET THE NATIONALPUBLICATIONS TEAM
HANINLATAIFEH
DIRECTOR
EDITORS'TEAM
LOCALDIRECTORS
NADEENKHRAISAT
RUBAAJLOUNI CHIEFEDITOR
RANIAABUKHADRA
JOUDNSOUR MYASSARALZOUBI
RAGHADAMR SADEENZAINEDDIN
MARYAMALAFGHANI RAWANAIMAT
JOANNAESSAU NABILARDAH
MUTAZBILBAISI MYASSARALZOUBI
RAHMAALMARIE BANANKASASBEH
MEET THE NATIONALPUBLICATIONS TEAM
TECHNICALTEAM
WRITERS'TEAM
JAMALHAMAD TECHNICALMANAGER
ROAAALETAWI
YASMEENALABDULLAT FURATDAOUD
JENNANUSEIR
ZEINAMIQDADI
ZAINABALZOUBI SONDOSSALEH
YUSRAARAFEH SHAHDALOMARI
DIMAJIAD CHIEFWRITER
FAISELALSHEKHLY DANAALEASSA
DALIASAMARA BAYANTHAINAT
TEAMOF OFFICIALS MESSAGES
DearIFMSAians
MessagefromthePresident
Inthefollowingpages,youwill witnessthebeautifulpiecesof writingfromourmedicalstudents onthetopicofResearchand MedicinearoundtheWorld.
Itissuchaprivilegetopresenttoyou thelatestissueoftheIFMSA-Jo Magazine.
ThethemeofthisMarchissueis ResearchandMedicinearoundthe World!
IFMSA-Jomembersarean assortmentofwonder,andthis diversitycreatesawealthof innovation,andensuresthateach termIFMSA-Jooutdoesitself. Today,thepowerofyouisa recognizableforceacrosstheglobe. Wearefilledwithtremendous energy,ambition,andthedriveto betterworld.Weareadvocating equality,greaterjustice,andglobal healthcare,makingdifferenceinthe livesofmillionsofpeople.
IFMSA-Johasgrowntobea formidableforceontheinternational stage,andbiggerthingsareyetto come,butthekeytooursuccesslies inourrelationshipwithoneanother.
Weareafamily,inmorewaysthatI canlist,andIwanttotakethis opportunitytothankmyfamily,the lovelyIFMSA-JoTeamofOfficialsfor theterm2020/2021.
Wewillalsoprovidecoverageon howouractivitiesareprogressing amidstthecurrentCOVID-19 pandemic
Asmedicalstudentswhotackle theseissuesonadailybasis,allow thistoaddinsighttoyour experienceandknowledge.
Ofcourse,Imustcreditthe CommunicationandPublic RelationsSupportDivisionDirector andherteamforcreatingthe publicationyouareabouttoread, andIwouldliketothankeveryone whohelpedmakethismagazine happen.
Ialsosendmyappreciationstoall IFMSA-JomembersandAlumniwho builtourNMOtobeassuccessfulas itistoday.
Iwishyouapleasantreadingfilled withjoyandmotivationtochange theworldaroundus.Ipromiseyou thateverythingbeyondthispage willaddsomethingnewtoyour knowledge.
SharifShalabi SecretaryGeneral
Iwouldliketoaskyoutothinkofthequestion“Whatdoyouwantinlife?”A questionabookonceaskedme,commonlyaskedbutrarelygenuinely answered.Whenitcomesdowntoiteveryoneanswersthesameway, somethingalongthelinesof“Iwanttolivehappily”or“Besatisfied”.Nothing iswrongwiththoseanswersbutthey'rejustsobroadthattheydon'treally meananything.
Thatbookthenmademeaskmyself“WhatpaindoIwantinlife?”
Theysayyou'renevertrulyfreeofhardships.Life'sanever-endingbattle,and wejustneedtoacceptthat.However,weshouldatleastbeallowedto chooseourbattles.
MedicineisthebattleIchose,andeveryaspectofitdefineswhatIconsider tobefulfilling;theabilitytohelpindividualsattheirweakestandmost vulnerableorgettingtomeetpeoplefromallover,gainingtheirtrustand respect,andultimatelyimprovingtheirlives.
Forme,IFMSAservestoaccentthesequalities.Asamedstudent;itservesas themediumbetweenmedicineandmydailylife,betweenmedicineandthe verylittlegoodIcando; Becausefornow,it'sallIcanreallydo.
What'sbeautifulaboutitisanystudentcandowhatevertheywant,theycan dogoodinwhateverwaytheyseefit.Iftheythinkcertainprojectsare"cringey" oruselessthentheycantakepartinsomethingelse,maketheirownvisiona reality.It'swhatIFMSAstandsforandit'showitgrows,offofthecollective creativityofanyonebraveenoughtostartsomethingnewandiswillingto worktoachieveit.
OnlyafterallthehardworkeffortIputintothethingsIloveandstrivefordoI trulyfeelsatisfactionandcontempt.
SoifIweretoanswerthequestionofwhatIwantinlife,IwouldsayIwantto striveforabettermeandIwanttolovethestrugglesI'mputthrough.
Ala’aRawashdeh
VicePresidentfor InternationalAffairs(VPIA)
“Ithinkoneofthekeystoleadershipisrecognizingthateverybodyhas giftsandtalents.Agoodleaderwilllearnhowtoharnessthosegifts towardthesamegoal.”
Allowmetobeginthisletterbyintroducingmyselftoyou.Mynameis Ala'aMohammadRawashdeh,apassionateIFMSAian,apublichealth activist,IFMSA-Jo’sNMOpresidentforthetermof20/21.
Frommyearlychildhood,Ihavealwayscravedtheopportunitytogive mybestintheserviceofhumanity.Voluntaryworkhasalwaysbeena partofmylifeinsomeformoranother,andthatexplainswhyIchose medicineasastudy,becausewhatismorehumanitarianthan medicine?
EstablishingmyselfwellwithinmyNMOgavemetheconfidenceIneeded torunformylocalcommitteeelectionsandserveasaLocalPublicHealth Officer2018/19.Itwasneverinmynaturetosettle,soduringthatyearI wasacceptedtobetheprogramcoordinatorfortheNCDsprogramin IFMSA-Jo,andwhilestayingontopofmywork,Idecidedtodelvedeeper intotheworldofIFMSA,andattendmyfirstEMRregionalmeetingin Oman.IwasleftinaweafterseeingwhatIFMSAislikebeyondtheborders ofmyNMO.Afterthat,IranforIFMSA-JoelectionstobeNationalPublic HealthOfficer2019/2020.
Inthatterm,IdecidedtodivemoreintoIFMSAinternationally;soIwasa participantinmanyIFMSAmeetingsandopportunitiesandaSWG memberinmanySWGsinIFMSA,andafterallofthis,IappliedforIFMSAJoelectionstobeIFMSA-JoVPIA“NMOpresident”fortheterm20/21.
Ala’a
Rawashdeh VicePresidentfor InternationalAffairs(VPIA)
ThevariouspositionsIheldsofarallowedmetoperfecttheskillsI previouslyacquired;liketimemanagement,problem-solvingand communicationskills.Italsogavemethechancetolearnnewones,the mostimportantonesbeingteamworkandcoordination.Workingin positionsforthreeconsecutiveyearstaughtmealotofthings,themost importantlessonIlearnedisthatinorderforyoutobeagoodteam player,youhavetobehonestwithyourteammates,lookoutforthem whenyouknowtheyarehavingahardtime,andmostimportantly,be willingtoadapt.Learningallofthatallowedmetogrowwithevery positionIheldandbecomewiserwitheverydecisionImade.
So,whatismyroleasIFMSA-JoVPIA?Iamtheonewhoisresponsible forcontactingotherNMOsandIFMSATO!Mygoalistoachievethe visionofIFMSA-JordanasoneofthestrongestNMOsintheworldby increasingourmembers'engagementininternationalwork.
Helloeveryone!
AmmarAl-Shalaby Treasurer
MynameisAmmarAl-Shalaby.
Iamasixth-yearmedicalstudentattheHashemiteUniversity,andthe currentNationalTreasurerofIFMSA-Jo.
NowordscandescribehowproudandexcitedIamtobeapartofthis amazingfamily.Ihadmanyamazingplansforthisterm,butCOVID-19 hadanotheropinion.Thevirushasputlifeonholdformanyaroundthe world,includingyourTeamofOfficials.Nevertheless,wecanpromiseyou thatwewillstayfocusedonourgoals,andoureffortswillbeas consistentasever.
Ihavehighhopesforourtermtoachievenewmilestones.Oneofthem beingtheIFMSA-Jomagazine;asitisthefruitofthehardworkofour members,wheretheycanpracticetheirwritingandcreativityskillsunder thethemeof‘ResearchandMedicinearoundtheWorld’!
Ihopeyou’llhaveafuntimereadingthismagazine,andIwishyouallthe bestofluck.
AhmadQatanani
VicePresidentForActivities(VPA)
It'sagreathonorandpleasuretobeabletoexpressmythoughtsand feelingsthroughtheIFMSA-Jomagazine.
Ihavealwaysbelievedthat"Youth"isreferredtoamindsetoflearning andapplyingyourknowledgetocontributeanddriveanation forward.Thatiswhatdifferentiatesitfromthechildhoodmindsetof takingactionswithoutknowledge,andtheelderlymindsetofhaving tonsofknowledgewithoutapplyingit.
ThroughoutmyjourneyinIFMSA-Joandotheryouthorganizations;I havewitnessedwhatouryouthiscapableofdoingwhentheyonly haveaninterestinsomething.So,Ikeepwonderingwhatthenation couldachieveifproperinvestmentinouryouthwasdoneand appropriateopportunitiesweregiventothem!
Theempowermentweneedisanattitudinal,structural,andcultural change.Wherebyyouthshavetheability,authority,andagencyto maketheirowndecisions,whichwillchangetheirownlivesandthe livesofotherpeople.
Thisisofcriticalimportanceforabetterfuture,ifnotthebest!Simply becausetheworldrightnowisinthemidstofatechnological revolutionthatischallengingeveryconventionalmethodinevery aspect.Thisneedsanewwayofthinking,andwhatisbetterthanour youth’sboldnesstodealwithsuchrevolution!Withoutforgettingof coursetheaccumulativeexperiencesoftheoldergenerations!
AhmadQatanani
VicePresidentForActivities(VPA)
Moreover,fromthebeginningofthe21stcenturywehavebeenseeingan acceleratedincreaseinyouthcontributioninmanyscientificand academicfieldswhichmadeestablishingnewjournalsforyouthstudies somethingweseemoreoften.However,Ibelievebetterattentionand supportareneededtobegiventoyouthresearchersandtheirstudies havetobediscussedmoreseriously.
Toconcludemymessage,Iwouldliketoencourageyoualltotrust yourselvesandbelieveinyourcapabilityofdoingwhateveryouwantto do.Neverwaituntilyouarerecognizedbytheoldergenerationsoreven yourpeerstostartyourjourneyinachievements.
MESSAGES FROMTHE DIRECTOR ANDCHIEF EDITOR
HaninLataifeh
IFMSA-JoMagazineDirector
GreetingstomyIFMSA-Jofamily.MynameisHaninLataifeh;afifthyear medicalstudentatJUSTUniversity,andtheCommunicationandPublic RelationsSupportDivisionDirectoratIFMSA-Jofortheterm20/21,butyoucan callmeCPRSDDforshort!
First,letmetalkabouthowIgottowhereIamtoday.Itstartedonarandom dayinOctober2016whereIwaswalkingaroundmycampus,whenmyeyes metahugetentswarmedwithstudentschattingandtalkingenthusiastically; andalargebannerabovethemthatread“JUSTLCPromotionalCampaign 16/17”.WhenIwentinside,IgottolearnaboutIFMSAandIwassoamazed!I rememberthinkingtomyself:“IneverknewIcoulddoallofthesethingswhilst beingamedicalstudent?!”
Thiswasthestartofmyfive-year-and-countingjourneyofunforgettable memoriesandlearningexperiences.So,withhardworkanddedication,I decidedtoworkasthePublicationsSupportDivisionDirectoratJUSTLCforthe term19/20;asIwasveryinterestedbeingapartofthedivisionthatisfueled withcreativity!Afterthat,Iwantedtotakeastepfurtherandwidenmyscope ofworkbybecomingtheNationalCPRSDDfortheterm20/21,andit’sbeena wonderfuljourneyeversince.
Itbringsmegreatjoybeinggiventhechancetocontinuethelegendaryworkofthe CommunicationandPublicRelationsSupportDivision.HereIamtoday,greeting youallastheDirectorofthemagazineyouhaveinyourhands,smartphones,or laptopsrightnow!
InFebruary,ourdivisionstartedworkingonthemagazinebydiscussingpossible themes,andwecollectivelydecidedon3mainthemesforthisedition:
Regardingthefirsttheme‘TheRiseofResearch-DrivenStudents’;asweallknow, nowadaysmedicalstudentsarebecomingasactiveastheycanbe.Theychoseto bepartofthecommunitythatisonthefrontlineofnewdiscoverieswhichwill ultimatelybenefithumanityasawhole.
HaninLataifeh
IFMSA-JoMagazineDirector
So,weaskedourmemberstowriteabouttheimportanceofresearch, interestingresearchtopics,howcertaininstitutesarebeingcreatedtohelp studentsgrowfurtherinthisfield,andmuchmore.
Movingontoournexttheme‘MedicineAroundtheWorld’;wethoughtitwould beagreatchanceforourmemberstowriteaboutmedicalteachingand practicefromallaroundtheworld;inordertoenrichuswithknowledgeand experiencefromthecountriesaroundus!
Atlast,forourthirdtheme‘Me,Myself,andI’;weaskedourmembers’opinions aboutindependence.Doestakingtheindividualisticroadhelpyoustayon trackandachieveyourgoals?Ordosomepeoplefeeluncomfortableinbeing entirelyindependent?
Notonlywillyoufindourthemedarticles,butyoucanalsoreadarticleswritten outsideofthosethemesinaseparatesection;whereourmembersfeelfreeto expressthemselvesandtheirwritingskillswithoutanyhindering!
There’salsoasectionforeachLocalCommitteetowritedowntheirbiggest achievementsinthistermsofar!Itreallybringsgreatpridereadingabout eachLC’shardwork,especiallyduringdifficulttimesduetothepandemic.Hats offtoourLocalCPRSDDswhodidanoutstandingjobinwritingtherecapsand gatheringthenecessaryinformationandmedia.
Tofinalizemymessage,I’dliketoextendahugethankstothebrightestand mostmotivateddivision;theCommunicationandPublicRelationsSupport Division.Itisbecauseofthebrillianceanddedicationofthe31membersinour Writers’Team,Editors’Team,TechnicalTeam,andCPRSDTeam,thatwecan presentyouwithourmagazine.I’dliketogiveusallapatontheback,wedid anexcellentjob!
Tohittingbiggermilestonesinthefuture!
DearReaders,
RubaAjlouni
ChiefEditor
FriedrichNietzsche,theGermanphilosopher,famouslysaid:"Thatwhichdoes notkillusmakesusstronger."
Itmayseemthatwise,strongpeopletypicallyhavegonethroughafewhard timesintheirlives.Bycomparison,thosewhohaveledaveryshelteredand privilegedlifeoftenappeartocrackmoreeasilyunderpressure.Butisittrue thatsomedegreeofpainandtraumacanmakeusstronger?Andifso,at whatpointdoesitdestroyus?
Pain,depression,fear,stress,andemotionaldistress,aregreatobstaclesto ourhappiness.However,sincethebeginningofthepandemic,wehave sufferedfromtheseobstaclesindifferentways;wehavelostin-person interactions;thesimplepleasureofchattingovercoffeeintheofficetothe moredifficultrealityofnotbeingabletoseefamilyandfriendsforlong stretchesoftime;theadrenalinerushoftryingsomethingnewortraveling aroundtheworld;wehavesufferedfromCOVID-19'ssymptomsthatvary fromonepersontoother;havelostoneormoreofourfamilymembersor friends,havelostourjobsandcareers,andhavelostthejoyofgoingtoour school/university/workplace,etc.
Iknowthatyouallhavebeenfacinghardtimeslately,butIbelievethateach oneofyouwillbeabletoovercometheseobstacles.Iknowit'snotthateasy andit'smucheasiersayingitinsteadofdoinganyaction,butIwould recommendyoutofirstly,believethattimewillhealeverything,youshould bepatientandnevergiveup.Secondly,stopandtakeastepback,letyour emotionscalmdown,thenobservetheobstacleasyouwouldifitwere someoneelsefacingit,sowhatwouldyoutellsomeoneelsetodo?Thirdly, acceptrealityandyouremotions.Fourthly,bewillingtoconsiderdifferent waystoovercomeanyobstacle.Andforsureyoushouldbelieveinyourself beforegoingthroughthepreviousfoursteps.
RubaAjlouni
ChiefEditor
Ithinkwecanallbenefitfromthiswayofthinking.Lifeshouldbealearning experience.Keeplearning,andyou’llkeepgrowingandwinning.Decideyou won’tlearn–withdrawfromthegame,getmad,bedefeated–andyouare theloser.
Whichdoyouwanttobe?Youchoosehowyourespond.EverytimeImake thechoicetobealearnerandnotbedefeated,newthingssuddenlybecome possible.
Howaboutyou?
Finally,onbehalfofoureditorialteam,Iwouldliketoofferawordofthanksto ourreaders,contributors,authors,editors,andanonymousreviewers,allof whomhavevolunteeredtocontributetothesuccessofthiseditionofIFMSAJomagazine.Wearepublishingourjournaltwiceayearwithaparticular emphasisonquality,creativity,andbetteroutcomes.
AbdallahDabbagh, NationalExchange OfficerforOutgoings (NEO-Out)
WhatarethetasksthataNEO-Outisresponsiblefor?
TheNEO-Outismainlyresponsibleforsigningexchangecontracts,distributing themequallyamongLocalCommittees,andalsoassistingtheLEOsandNEOInwhenneeded.
In your opinion, why should medical students go on clinical exchanges?
Well, in my opinion, all medical students must go for an exchange, as it will helpyoutodevelopnotonlyyourmedicalknowledge,butyouwillalsowatch yourpersonalitydevelopinmanyperspectives.Also,ithelpsyoumakemore friendsfromdifferentculturesasI'mstillincontactwithmostoftheexchange studentswhocametoJordan.
How have your Standing Committee’s activities been affected ever sincetheCOVID-19pandemicemerged?
Unfortunately SCOPE’s work got affected a lot, as there was no exchanges in thelastseason.Thisyear,Ihopetheycanhappen.
Finally,whatarethebiggestlessonsyoulearnedfromyourexperience inSCOPEfrombeingavolunteertoaNationalExchangeOfficer?
The biggest lesson I learned is to never stop dreaming, and to work for your dreams.Theywillcometrueoneday.Evenifyoufailed,atleastyouhavetried.
Justdoyourbestandyouwillgetwhatyouwantattheend.
PhilipMalouf, NationalExchange Officer
forIncomings
(NEO-In)
WhatarethetasksthataNEO-Inisresponsiblefor?
ThetasksoftheNEO-Inareasfollows:Firstlytoorganizetheexchangeseasonfor theincomingsvisitingJordanwhichincludes:organizingthetripsforthemand makingplansforthemtoseeJordan.InadditiontoimprovingtheAcademic Qualityoftheexchangeprogramandmakingsurethey’rehavingagreat experience.Furthermore,theNEO-Inisresponsibleforallthefundraisingeventsfor IFMSA-Jo.
Inyouropinion,whyshouldmedicalstudentsgoonclinicalexchanges?
Inmyopinion,Ibelieveclinicalexchangesareaperfectwaytoimproveourselves onavarietyofaspects.Startingfromthemedicalaspect,exchangeprogramsare agreatwaytoexperienceanewanddifferenthealthcaresystemandtoimprove yourselfasadoctor.Also,it’sagreatchancetovisitandexperienceothercountries andcultureswhilebeingguidedbylocalsandhavingalltheadvantagesofbeing hosted.
HowhaveyourStandingCommittee’sactivitiesbeenaffectedeversince theCOVID-19pandemicemerged?
Wehaveallbeenaffectedbythispandemicineveryaspectofourlives,andin SCOPEit’snotdifferent.Theexchangeseason;whichisthecornerstoneofSCOPE, wascancelledallovertheworld.Evenwiththefundraisingevents,thepandemic hasputmanyobstaclesontheorganizingofbigeventsandduetotheclosuresit hasstronglylimitedtheideasofeventsthatcanbeplanned.
Finally,whatarethebiggestlessonsyoulearnedfromyourexperiencein SCOPEfrombeingavolunteertoaNationalExchangeOfficer?
IstartedmyjourneyinIFMSAinSCOPEandsincethenIhavereallygainedalotof experienceinmostoftheaspectsoflife.Forexample;Ihavebecomemore organizedinmylife,Ihavegainedlotsofcommunicationskills,andmost importantly;Ihavegainedalotoffriendsfromallovertheworld. IhavealottobegratefulforSCOPE,andIencourageallofyou
toliveyourownjourneywithSCOPE.
AhmadDalgamouni, NationalOfficeron ResearchExchange (NORE)
WhatisyourStandingCommitteeresponsiblefor?
OurmaingoalinSCOREistoofferfuturephysiciansanopportunitytoexperience researchanddiversityincountriesallovertheworld.Thisisachievedbyproviding anetworkoflocallyandinternationallyactivestudentsthatgloballyfacilitate accesstoresearchexchangeprojects.
WhatarethemaingoalsthatSCOREplanstoachievethisterm?
Weplantoworkondifferentprojectsandprogramsthat’llwidenourstudents’ horizonsandprovidetheopportunityforthemtoexperiencedifferentapproaches tohealthcare,ethicalresearchstandards,medicalresearch,educationand treatment.
Inyouropinion,whyshouldmedicalstudentsgoonresearchexchanges?
Experiencingresearchexchangesdevelopsculturallyawarestudentsandskilled researchersthatwillhopefullyshapetheworldoffuturescience.Also,thisisa greatopportunityforstudentsintheirearlyyearstoparticipateinresearch projectsinthemedicalfield!
HowhaveyourStandingCommittee’sactivitiesbeenaffectedeversince theCOVID-19pandemicemerged?
TheCOVID-19pandemichasaffectedtheStandingCommitteeonResearch Exchangeinmanyways.Startingfromthefactthatwehavestoppedanyfaceto facetrainings,workshops,andactivities;whichaffectedourresearcheducational goalsandoutcomes.
Also,thestudentexchangeprogramwashighlyaffectedduetotravelrestrictions andquarantinewhichisnowmandatoryinmostcountriesuponarrival.Alotof NMOsunfortunatelystartedtocanceltheirexchanges.Wetriedtodoourbestto findotheralternativestosolvethisproblembutunfortunatelyitwasthesafest choicetocancelourexchangeseasonaswell.
ShahdMansour, NationalOfficeron
Sexual
&Reproductive HealthandRights
IncludingHIV&AIDS (NORA)
WhatisyourStandingCommitteeresponsiblefor?
Weprovideourmemberswiththetoolsnecessarytoadvocateforsexualand reproductivehealthandrightswithintheirrespectivecommunitiesina culturallyrespectedfashion.ThisStandingCommitteeaimstoachievethis throughcapacitybuildingonComprehensiveSexualityEducationandother sexualandreproductivehealthandrightsissues;theexchangeofideasand bestpractices;draftingpoliciesandworkingwithourexternalpartnersin ordertoimplementchangeonthelocal,regionalandinternationallevel.
WhatarethemaingoalsthatSCORAplanstoachievethisterm?
FocusingonraisingawarenessregardingGenderBasedviolence,reproductive healthandHIV/AIDSandotherSTIsaswellasdirectlyimplementingideas thatallowforapositivechange.
Whatarethebiggestprojectsyoucompleted/plantocompletethis term?
1.HIV/AIDSandOtherSTIs;anationalproject.
2.GBVprojectthatiscurrentlyongoing.
3.SCORAExchange2021.
Inyouropinion,whyshouldstudentsbeeducatedonSexualand ReproductiveHealthandRights?
Thisisavitalpartofanindividual’shealthandwellbeing.Itisimportantthat womenandmenliveinacommunitywheretheyfeelsafefromGBVandhave enoughinformationtoprotectthemselvesandmaintaintheirreproductive health.(Continued...)
ShahdMansour, NationalOfficeron
Sexual&Reproductive HealthandRights
IncludingHIV&AIDS (NORA)
Itisalsoimportantthatwomenhaveaccesstoinformationregardingproper maternalhealthandanyissuestheymightface.
Asmedicalstudentswhoareprivytosuchinformationandcanarrangefor sessionswithmanyhelpfulandbeneficialexternals;itisourjobtodo whateverwecantomakethathappen.
Finally,whatarethebiggestlessonsyoulearnedfromyourexperience with SCORAfrombeingavolunteertoaNationalOfficeron ReproductiveHealth?
IlearnedmoreaboutthefieldIamcurrentlyfocusingonthroughourworkwith variouspartnersandsessionswithdoctors,aswellasthemeetingsIattended withtheinternationalSCORAteam.Ialsoimprovedsomeimportantskills throughthisposition;suchastimemanagementandorganization.Lastly,I metsomewonderfulpeoplewhilebeingtheNORAandIamveryhappyto knowthem.
LayanJawabreh, NationalPublic HealthOfficer(NPO)
WhatisyourStandingCommitteeresponsiblefor?
TheStandingCommitteeonPublicHealth(SCOPH)isresponsibleforaddressing publichealthissueswithinourcommunitytofulfillourvisionofahealthysociety. Thisincludeshealthpolicies,healthadvocacy,educationalcampaignsandmuch more.SCOPHisalsoresponsibleforattainingmedicalstudentswiththeskillsand knowledgetheyrequiretocontributetotheirfullpotentialtowardsthemakingof healthiercommunities.
WhatarethemaingoalsSCOPHplanstoachievethisterm?
Ourmaingoalforthistermishealthpromotionandeducationwithinoursociety especiallyamidstthisCOVID-19pandemic.
Whatarethebiggestprojectsyoucompleted/plantocompletethisterm?
SofarwehavecompletedaprojectaboutCeliacDisease.Theprojectwasan onlinecampaignincollaboration withDr.MohammadRashidand
However,theprojectthatIamreallyenthusiasticaboutwillbearegional campaigncelebratingWHO’sWorldImmunizationWeek2021.Sincethebeginning ofthispandemicinMarch2020,wehavebeenworkingtirelesslytoraise awarenessaboutCOVID-19,andnowwiththedevelopmentofthevaccineand amidstalltherumorsarising,wefeelitisimportanttomakeaninitiativeacross Jordanandtheregion.Wehopethiscampaignwillclarifytheimportanceofthe vaccineandclearanyambiguity.
Inyouropinion,whyshouldstudentsbeeducatedonPublicHealthissues?
PublicHealthissuesaffectourlifeonadailybasis.Itiscrucialtobewellinformed andeducatedaboutthevarioushealthissuesthatwefaceasthiswilleventually leadtobetterhealthoutcomes.(Continued...)
LayanJawabreh, NationalPublic HealthOfficer(NPO)
Takediabetesforexample;Diabetesisachronicillnessthataffectshowour bodiesturnfoodintoenergy.Ifwearebettereducatedonthesymptomsof diabetesthenwewillhavebetterscreeningandearlydetectionprograms.Early detectionmeansthatwecancontrolthediseaseinitsearlystagessavingthe patientfromharmful,avoidablesideeffects,expensivemedicalproceduresand medications,anoverallbettermentalhealthstatusandmostimportantlya betterhealthoutcome.Thismeansthattherearehealthierindividuals,less financialburdenonourhealthcaresystemsandbetterqualityoflife.
ThisiswhyeducationonPublicHealthissuesextendsbeyondjustasingle patient,itaffectsourhealthcaresystem,ourhealthcareprovidersandour qualityoflife.
Finally,whatarethebiggestlessonsyoulearnedfromyourexperience withSCOPHfrombeingavolunteertoaNationalPublicHealthOfficer?
FrombeingavolunteertoaNationalPublicHealthOfficer,I’vefoundthatthere's alotyoucandotomaketheworldabetterplace,anditallstartswithyou.I've foundthatthere'salwaysspaceforgrowthandchange,andallittakesisthe confidencetotakethefirststep.
Alaa
Obeidat, NationalOfficeron MedicalEducation
(NOME)
WhatisyourStandingCommitteeresponsiblefor?
SCOMEisresponsibleformedicaleducation;becausethisisofimportancetoevery medicalstudentasitshapesnotonlytheproficiencyoffuturephysicians,butalsothe qualityofhealthcare.Ourmissionistobetheframeinwhichmedicalstudentscontribute tothedevelopmentofmedicaleducation.StudentsconveneinSCOMEtoshareandlearn aboutmedicaleducationinordertoimproveit,andbenefitfromit,onapersonaland professionalbasis.So,wefocusonmedicaleducationsystems,teachingmedicalskills, medicalethics,andhumanrightsandhealthsystems.
WhatarethemaingoalsthatSCOMEplanstoachievethisterm?
1.CapacitybuildinginSCOMEthroughdifferentactivities,projects,andtrainingsonthe localandnationallevel;bycooperatingwithLOMEsfromalluniversities,andthe CoordinatoroftheTMS‘TeachingMedicalStudents’program.
2.Encouragingmember-participationinprojectsontheregionalandinternationallevel, aswellashostingprojectsincooperationwithdifferentNMOstoprovideachanceforour memberstotradeexperiencesandbuildconnections.
3.Strengtheningourworkwithmedicaltrainingcentersinordertopreparetrainersand traineesequippedwiththenecessaryskillsandknowledge.
4.Wealsoaimtodiscussongoingissuesinmedicaleducation,whilstprovidingthebest opportunitiesforourstudentsbyconductingtrainingsessionshostedbymedical residentsfromallovertheworld.
Whatarethebiggestprojectsyoucompleted/plantocompletethisterm?
Thistermwe’replanningonmakingeachprojectofoursasbigaspossible,whilstfocusing onqualityoverquantity;
1.‘RescueHands’:aprojectthatprovidestrainingcoursesinmedicalskills.Wefinished3 steps;FirstAid,SuturingandInjection,andCasting.Weplanoncompletingmoresteps andprovidingadvancedmedicaltrainingssuchasITLS,andAdayintheE.R.
2.‘SCOMEWebinar’incooperationwithotherNMOs.
3.‘SCOMECamp’:aprojecthighlyanticipatedbyourmembers.Thisyearitwillbe conductedinaninnovative andexcitingway.
4.CoursestoprovidetrainingcertificatestoourmemberslikeTMET‘TrainingMedical EducationTrainers’,inorderforthemtosharetheirknowledgeandskillsbyteachingother students.
AlaaObeidat, NationalOfficeron MedicalEducation (NOME)
Inyouropinion,whyshouldstudentsenhancetheirmedicalskillsfromasearlyas theirbasicyears?
Ibelievethatalargecontributortoskilldevelopmentstemsfromastudent’spersonal effort,forexample;inthebasicyearsofmedicalschoolsinJordanianuniversities,we receiveonlytheoreticalcourses. Andyou,asamedicalstudentinyourcommunity;eveninyourbasicyears,mustacquire thebasicmedicalskills.Fromfirst-aid,suturingandinjections,toadvancedcoursessuch asinternationaltraumamanagementforlifesupport(ITLS),andothers;allofthosewill enrichyourCV.HereinSCOME,weofferthesecoursesincooperationwithqualified trainersandvariousorganizations,andtheparticipantsaregivencertificatesaccredited byhealthorganizationsandwell-knowninstitutionsaroundtheworld. Inadditiontothat,welaunchedtheTMS‘TeachingMedicalStudents’program. Theprogramworksonthefollowing:Analyzingofcurrentsituationinmedicalschools, assessingthequalityandneedsofmedicalstudents,providinglearningopportunities througheducationalactivities,suchascompetencybasedtrainingsandworkshopswith academicqualityensured,andtoadvocatewiththefacultiestoprovidesupportandwork towardstheintegrationofwell-structuredcompetency-basedprogramsincurricula.
Finally,whatarethebiggestlessonsyoulearnedfromyourexperiencewith SCOMEfrombeingavolunteertobeingaNationalOfficerforMedicalEducation?
WhenIreadthisquestion,IrememberedHelenKeller'squote:“Charactercannotbe developedineaseandquiet.Onlythroughtheexperienceoftrialandsufferingcanthe soulbestrengthened,ambitioninspiredandsuccessachieved.” Therefore,Ihavealwaysbeentryingtocreatemyownexperiencesandideas,aswellas overcomingthepressuresofstudyingasamedicalstudent.Ialsolearnedthatweare abletobepartoftheworldofvolunteeringandmakeachangeinourcommunitiesby developingourskillsduringouruniversityyears.
EversincethedayIjoinedSCOME;Iwentfrombeingaparticipant,toanorganizer,toa leader,toaLocalOfficeronMedicalEducation,toaNationalOfficer!Dayafterday,Ifelt thatIwasapartofabigfamily.Afamilythathasgivenmethebiggestresponsibilities, love,andpassionforcreatingideas,projects,andmakingagreatimprint.
FarisTawalbeh, NationalOfficeron HumanRights
and Peace
(NORP)
WhatisyourStandingCommitteeresponsiblefor?
I’llstrayawayfromthecasual,usual,yetsocorporatedefinitionofourresponsibilities andinsteadtrytotalkaboutusthroughthewordsofaSCORPion.
SCORPiswherewestandsidebysidewiththeweaktoempowerthem,theinjuredto nursethem,theunconfidenttomotivatethem,thevoicelesstobetheirvoice.Most importantly,thoseinthedarkness;tobetheirlight.
SincetheinceptionofSCORP;we’veworkedendlessly,tirelesslyandrelentlesslyto provideaplatformforeveryonetochannelthehumanitarianinsideofthem.We provideallsortsofhumanrights-relatedactivitiesonalocal,national,regional, internationalandallscalesimaginable.Fromempoweringdebatesthatdiscussall sortsofhumanrightsandworldwideissuestoempathizingcampaignsthathelp thoseinneedfromallspectrums,agesandgenerations.Furthermore,wearealso knownforouruniquehumanrights,disastermedicineandmedicalpractitioners’ trainings,workshopsandmass/worldwide-eventsthathostsuch trainings/workshops,aswellasafull-fledgedhumanrights-orientedexchange programendorsedbyNMOsworldwide!
WhatarethemaingoalsSCORPplanstoachievethisterm?
Generallyspeaking,I’dliketoemphasizeonthepointsImentionedinthebeginning; byplanningtobethelightinthedarknessandthecollectivevoiceofthevoiceless whoareinneed.
ButsinceSCORPisaStandingCommitteethathoststhemostrelentlessand passionatemembersintheNMO,ifnottheentireorganization;I’dsayourgoalisto standoutasthebrightestStandingCommittee,carryonwiththelegacyofour ancestors,addthetasteofanewera,andraisetheflagoftheGreenKingdomhigh foreveryonetosee!
Whatarethebiggestprojectsyoucompleted/plantocompletethisterm?
We'verecentlycompletedtheWinterCampaignsproject.I’mlookingforwardto completingtheChildrenHealthAwarenessCampaigns,inadditiontomanymore upcomingprojects/activitiesthisterm,sostaytuned!
FarisTawalbeh, NationalOfficeron HumanRightsand Peace(NORP)
Inyouropinion,whyshouldstudentsbeeducatedonhumanrights’issues?
Rhetoricallyspeaking,youcan’tbeadoctorifyou’renotahuman.Bythat,Imean thatmedicineistheonlyfieldwherethesenseofhumanitycomesbeforeknowledge. Manydoctorsoutthereareknownfortheirextensiveknowledge.Notallofthemcan becalled“humanedoctors”,though. Fromamedicalperspective,webelievethatlearningabouthumanrights’issueswill notonlyawakenthehumanitariansenseinallfuturemedicalpractitioners,butwill alsogivethemagoodviewofthepropercareofhumanbeingsinneed,worldwide, thatmedicinecouldprovide.Weallknowthatalotofcountriesworldwideare sufferingfinancially,especiallywiththecurrentpandemic,forexample.Such strugglescomewiththedireneedoftheirpopulationformedicalattention,proper equipment,performingprocedures,andevenvaccines. Ifstudentsaretaughtandeducatedwellabouthumanrights,ifafewofthemgather andcomeupwithgreatapplicableideastosatisfysaidneeds,andifglobal organizationscollaboratewiththem;thenweareguaranteedamuchbetterworld thantheonewe’recurrentlylivingin...That’swhatSCORPisallabout!
Finally,whatarethebiggestlessonsyoulearnedfromyourexperiencewith SCORPfrombeingavolunteertoaNationalOfficeronHumanRightsand Peace?
Man...I’llsaythisandI’mbeingthemostsincereI’veeverbeen.SCORPhassavedmy life,mademethemanthatIam,andhasturnedmeintoabetterperson.
Plainandsimple.
Ican’tbegintodescribethelessonsI’velearnedwithSCORP,butthisplacereally changedmetothebetter. Ifthere’sonelessonthough...I’dsaythat...Everybodyhasagoodsideinsideofthem. Nomatterhoweviltheymayseem,there’salwaysagoodrayoflightinthem.Itjust needstobeswitchedon.SCORP,notonlydiditturntheswitchonforme,butittaught metogooutthereandturnitonforeveryonearoundmeineveryactivityI participatedin...Ijustcan’tbemorethankfulforbeingaproudcitizenoftheGreen Kingdom!
AGlimpseintoaRevolutionaryEra.
MohammadHourani,HeadofOCNGAXVIII.
Fordecades,thehumanbrainfailedtoanticipate towhatextenttechnologycouldtakeusinthe medicalfield.Allthenewdiscoveriesandtechniques thatwereconsideredmerethoughtsinsome dreamers’mindshavebecomeakeyplayerin criticaloperationsanddiagnosticprocesses,and hundredsofmillionsofliveshavebeensaved,all thankstothoseso-calleddreamers.
Throughouthistory,medicalknowledgehasdeepeneddrasticallyfrombarely understandingthehuman’sbodytoalmosthavingtheabilitytocontrolitand anticipateitswhims.Allthisadvancementwouldn’thavebeenmadepossible withouttheroletechnologyhasplayed.Asamatteroffact,theservicesthat healthcarefacilitiesprovideinourmoderndaysaretightlylinkedtohow technologicallyadvancethesefacilitiesare! BecausemedicaltechnologiesandtechniquesaremorethanIcaneven enumerate,Iwillfocusontwooutstandinginnovationsthatwillbrightenthe medicalfieldinthenearfuture;
First,mRNATechnology.
Aswearefacingprettytoughdaysduetotheglobalpandemicandthechanged essenceofourlifestyle;Icouldn’tstopmyselffrommentioningoneofthemost popularmoderntechnologies,whichismRNAtechnology.mRNAtechnologyhas hadagreatimpactonmanufacturingCOVID-19vaccines.“mRNAmedicines aren’tsmallmolecules,liketraditionalpharmaceuticals,andtheyaren’t traditionalbiologics(recombinantproteinsandmonoclonalantibodies)–which werethegenesisofthebiotechindustry.Instead,mRNAmedicinesaresetsof instructions.Andtheseinstructionsdirectcellsinthebodytomakeproteinsto preventorfightdisease.”Althoughthismaysoundlikeasimpleprinciple,itis surprisinglyabillion-dollaridea.
Second,ArtificialIntelligence.
Let’sbidfarewelltothedaysofmisdiagnosis,andsay hellotoourlittlehelperfriend!
Artificialintelligenceisatermappliedtoany machinethatexhibitstraitsassociatedwithahuman mindsuchaslearning,criticalthinking,andproblem-solving.Inmedical implications,A.I.(ArtificialIntelligence)isusedtointroduceenormousamounts ofmedicaldataintoahealthcaresystemthatprocessesthesedataandcomes upwithsolutionstoclinicalproblems.Thistechnologymayoutperformdoctorsin someclinicalscenariosandensurethehighestdegreeofprecision.Inavery “leapoffaith”-ishmanner,thistechnologycouldperformtheultimateparadigm shiftintheverynearfutureintermsofdiagnosingdifferentkindsof malignanciesdependingonsomealgorithmssuchas‘DeepLearningbased AutomaticDetection’and‘LymphNodeAssistant’whichsurpassthedetection abilitiesofmanyphysiciansandidentifysuspiciousregionsthatare undistinguishabletothenakedeye.
So,asfarasIcantell,thefutureofmedicinewillberedesignedinaccordance witheachnewtechnologicalinnovation.WhileI’mahugefanofthegreatSerj Tankian,Ihavetodisagreewithhimononepointregardingscience;for“Science shallsaveourMotherEarth”.
THEMED ARTICLES
IN THIS EDITION; OUR MEMBERS WROTE ABOUT THE RISE OF RESEARCH- DRIVEN STUDENTS, MEDICINE AROUND THE WORLD, AND WHAT THEY THINK OF INDEPENDENCE.
ENJOY READING THEIR MAGNIFICENT WRITINGS IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES!
TheRiseOf Research-Driven Students
TheRiseOf Research-Driven Students
AYoung,PassionateResearcher:DuhaShellah
By:MarahJaber
When we look around us, we can see how quickly science is advancing. Every day, we gain new insights and discover new things, which resulted from a crisis or in means of making life easier. All of the above need a creative mind that is continuously asking “what if” and “why not” questions.
One of the best ways to begin your journey with these questions is to conduct research , which will allow you to think freely and put your ideas to the test. Every student around the globe has the opportunity to bring something new to this world.
There are a lot of smart researchers in the world who have made significant contributions to their societies, one of them being Duha Shellah. Let's find out who she is.
Duha is a 23-year-old medical student at An-Najah National University, Palestine. She began her research journey in her first year of university, with uncountable and unstoppable attempts to participate in a research study. It wasn't easy, but nothing is impossible when you work hard enough. Soon, she was actively engaged in 7 to 10 research projects, each of which provided her with a unique experience. Duha continued to work and develop herself, ultimately publishing her first study in 2020, which is a policy analysis of health systems' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in conflict settings.
She has since submitted several studies for review, three of which are already successfully published, such as “Cupping Therapy Use Among Palestinian Women in Reproductive Age: A Cross Sectional Survey”. “Effect of Hemodialysis on Intraocular Pressure in Palestine: A Single Center Study” has been accepted, to be published soon.
TheRiseOf Research-Driven Students
Yes, Duha Shellah has come a far way since first starting her journey years ago. She is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder of The Researchist, a research community for Palestinians. She is also an Elsevier Student Ambassador.
Duha is a Student Editor & Palestine Ambassador at the International Journal of Medical Students. Most recently, she has been assigned as an Associate Editor at Harvard Public Health Review. Nationally, Duha is an ambassador for the Palestinian Forum for Medical Research and the Third Undergraduate Research Conference - Al Quds University.
Duha Shellah, an aspiring MD, is a gifted researcher who has done much to serve both her local and global communities, and who made sure to give back and uplift other rising researchers. My only hope is that this humble piece honors and celebrates her accomplishments.
TheRiseOf Research-Driven Students
Za’atarandIntelligenceResearch
By:LujainAdnanandRaghadAyassrah
We are a group of medical students from Yarmouk university, we decided to find out the effect of Dietary intakes of Za’atar in relation to intelligence levels and brainpower.
Intelligence has been defined in many ways: higher-level abilities (such as abstract reasoning, mental representation, problem-solving, and decision making) and the ability to learn. Today there are as many explanations of intelligence as people are trying to study and understand it. Since it is relative and multifaceted, people are always trying to ameliorate their brainpower by several means, food is thought to be one of them. As Jordanians, we have always been taught by our grandmothers that eating Za’atar will make us intelligent.
What is Za’atar?
Za'atar, an aromatic blend of spices that typically includes some combination of dried thyme, sumac, oregano, marjoram, sesame seeds, and salt. Za'atar plant can be found in Jordan, Palestine, and other middle eastern countries. People usually eat za’atar with olive oil and bread. As Jordanians, our grandmas always told us that eating Za'atar will make us smarter. Is this true? Meanwhile, there has been very little focus on studying a clear correlation between zaatar and amplified intelligence.
The research:
We surveyed 472 persons with varying ages, nationalities, and different educational levels (mainly college students) about their consumption of Zaatar, then we asked them to solve an IQ test. The results of these surveys revealed a positive association, precisely in the 324 people who met the qualifications. Though, surely other variables are influencing this conclusion. Participants studied different majors and are from different countries, but most Za’atar consumers were Jordanian medical students. In addition, most participants were college students.
TheRiseOf Research-Driven Students
Results:
The survey results indicated a positive correlation between Za’atar consumption and intelligence (higher IQ score). Individuals who consumed Za’atar at least once a month since early childhood (0-10 years old) until the past three years performed better than those who did not consume Za’atar at all or consumed it rarely (once a year) in childhood until the past three years. In addition, results showed that consuming Za’atar in childhood had the most positive impact on IQ scores. Ultimately, Za’atar alone was not enough for scoring high IQ results, other factors affected the outcome.
We prospectively concluded that greater long-term intakes of Za’atar appear to ameliorate brainpower with the help of other good influences. Further researches can be done to study the exact impact of Za’atar ingredients on the brain, following a different route (a cohort study for example) other than the route we chose for our research (cross-sectional study).
References:
(1) https://www.medicaldaily.com/zaatar-health-benefits-middle-eastern- spice-blend-fights-microbesmayboost-brain-246726
(2) Azizi, Z., Ebrahimi, S., Saadatfar, E., Kamalinejad, M. and Majlessi, N., 2021. Cognitive-enhancing activity of thymol and carvacrol in two rat models of dementia. [online] Available at: <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22470103/>
(3) Braithwaite, I., Stewart, A., Hancox, R., Beasley, R., Murphy, R. and Mitchell, E., 2014. Fast-food consumption and body mass index in children and adolescents: an international cross-sectional study. [online] Available at: <https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/12/e005813>
(4) ScienceDaily. 2012. Eating more berries may reduce cognitive decline in the elderly. [online] Available at: <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426110250.htm>
TheRiseOf Research-Driven Students
IsResearchReallyImportantforMedicalStudents?
By:DimahJiad
As medical students, we have long since accepted and grown accustomed to the long list of requirements expected from us. A list that seems to grow every passing academic year.
From medical volunteering and exchange programs, to clerkships and observerships, all while somehow managing to maintain a pristine GPA, but the list doesn’t end there. The latest universal requirement, now so popular it is almost a trend, is research. So why has research caused such a stir? Why has it become such a staple on all types of medical applications? Why is it the first question asked in interviews?
Surely there must be more to it than endless hours toiling away in a lab, flitting between test tubes and pipettes, eyes pressed to a microscope? Or perhaps even more mundane and repetitive; the hours that go into data collection? Virtually every medicine course nowadays has a research requirement, and medical students are expected to participate in more research activities than ever before. Considering how busy medical students already are, with so much to learn and very little time to spare, is research really that important for them? Is it worth the time and effort it takes?
In my opinion, the chance to take part in research during medical school is an extremely valuable opportunity that all students should be offered and given the facilities to experience. Modern medicine is becoming more evidence-based by the day. Medicine as a career has always been a journey of lifelong learning, and in recent times research articles, papers, and journals have become the sources of knowledge we depend on. It has become very important for a clinician to analyze a paper, understand its impact factor, and compare it to others to decide whether or not to follow its recommendations.
Performing research as early as during university years will help the physicians of the future develop these crucial skills, as well as develop an understanding of how a paper is written and what goes into the processes of data collection, statistical analyses, and discussion writing.
TheRiseOf Research-Driven Students
Literature reviews especially will help introduce our young doctors to the world of evidence-based medicine and set the foundation for good critique skills throughout their careers.
Medical research is a rapidly growing field that is asserting its importance in healthcare. More and more medical graduates are choosing to go into research, and the leading clinicians of any institution are always very active and invested in research. The chance to perform research at university under the guidance of an experienced mentor gives medical students insight into the nature of this field.
Some students choose to pursue a research-based career based on positive experiences with research during their course. Even those not interested in research as a career develop an understanding of good quality research and an appreciation for the important role it plays in shaping clinical medicine.
Research experience also looks very impressive on a CV and helps all students in their future pursuits in any medical specialty, as more and more institutions are demanding research placements from potential applicants. Any research undertaking will play a large role in gaining important skills for the future physician. It will help develop and hone teamwork, communication, and time management skills. As mentioned previously, research exposure also helps develop critical thinking and appraisal skills, which are priceless tools in the arsenal of any clinical mind.
Not only does research experience boost chances of being accepted into a residency program, research program, or Ph.D. course, but it also allows students to learn from and work with leading physicians, and the chance to develop crucial skills that will prove of paramount importance and value later on in their careers.
Finally, research grants a deeper understanding of clinical medicine, which undoubtedly helps students thrive amid the high competition in the medical field today. It is my view that any research placement during a medical course is a valuable opportunity that all medical students should take. They are definitely worth all the extra time, effort, and stress that they require.
TheRiseOf Research-Driven Students
WhyResearch?
By:BayanThainat
“Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.” – Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes.
In other words, it can be defined as the detailed analysis of a problem to eventually come up with an effective solution that will significantly enhance your knowledge, clarify any confusion and have a proper understanding of the subject you are interested in.
Nowadays, Research is indispensable for the progress of modern medicine as practicing medicine has become evidence-based. Therefore, it is important for us as medical students to carry out researches, understand them and critically analyze them at this early stage in order to build a systematic base of thinking that would drastically help us be bright, successful doctors in the future.
Research might be difficult for students because it requires loads of effort, time, and perhaps money but it is still rewarding as you will have the opportunity to study the discipline you are interested in and improve your IT skills which are extremely important to have in your CV.Moreover, you will be exposed to different aspects of medicine like ethics, which is an integral part of medical research and practice, as well as economic-related aspects as most researchers forget that the treatment, for example, must be affordable for the target group, and this hopefully encourages you to take economics under prime consideration in your upcoming research.
TheRiseOf Research-Driven Students
In addition, research helps students develop valuable characteristics such as commitment, self-discipline, determination, decision making, and time management especially if the research is limited with time. Moreover, students will develop critical thinking and team working skills since research achievements are rarely made by individuals in isolation, as well as many other characteristics that will surely refine students’ personalities and give them a competitive edge over their colleagues while applying for jobs.
The global COVID-19 pandemic is a very significant reminder of the constant evolution of pathogens, and that once again highlights the importance of research, as we are facing a new virus that depends on high-quality research aligned with top priority societal goals that provide trustworthy, actionable information.
In research, we depend on existing knowledge to effectively use it in identifying such new diseases, for example, how would we know about the correlation between the SARS virus and COVID-19 infection if we had no previous studies and research about it? Without the head-start given by previous research, going back to the life before this pandemic would take years.
To conclude, more than ever before, being a doctor in the 21st century is a career of lifelong learning, and since it is believed that researchers make better clinicians, we encourage students to make the most of research opportunities in medical school for their own professional benefit and for improving the health sector of their countries.
References:
1.WiseStep. Why Research is Important for Students, Humans, Education - WiseStep. [online] Available at: https://content.wisestep.com/research-important-studentshumans-education/ 2.Weiner, D., Balasubramaniam, V., Shah, S. and Javier, J., 2020. COVID-19 impact on research, lessons learned from COVID-19 research, implications for pediatric research. [online] Nature. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-020-1006-3 3.Westernsydney.edu.au. 2021. Definition of Research | Western Sydney University. [online] Available at: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/research/researchers/preparing_a_grant_applic ation/dest_definition_of_research
