Leveraging a global research platform to expand medical student engagement in research
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Published on: September 28, 2022
J Brian Cassel1, Megan P Donohue2, Benjamin Van Tassell3
1Division of Hematology, Oncology & Palliative care, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond VA, USA.
Problem:
Medical students seek research experiences and credentials, but it is challenging to provide them with meaningful research opportunities. The authors sought an approach that would allow students to work in small teams on a self-directed research project, would not require human subjects review or funding, and was scalable to nearly 200 students simultaneously.
Approach:
Educators leveraged a global clinical data research platform their university (Virginia Commonwealth University) was already participating in, TriNetX. One hundred ninety-three health systems globally, including over 80 academic centers, make de-identified data from their electronic health records available to TriNetX users, representing over 204 million unique patients' longitudinal records. The query interface and built-in analytics make it possible for students without data science training to complete cohort studies. Use of TriNetX was incorporated into the medical school curriculum for the past four years, providing accounts and instruction as well as technical assistance.
Outcomes:
In the first cohort (2022), 20.0% chose to conduct a study with TriNetX rather than to write a hypothetical research proposal; by the fourth cohort (2025), this increased to 65.0%. Outside of this course, 18 medical students also proposed and received funding for TriNetX studies for their summer research fellowships, and 17.4% to 24.6% of students in the first three cohorts continued to use TriNetX after their course project was completed. Limitations include lack of pre-post evaluation of learners' experiences, research skills, and self-confidence.
Next Steps:
These medical educators are integrating TriNetX into other health sciences curricula, exploring interprofessional TriNetX-based research electives, and expanding trainings for residents and fellows. Academic medical centers can leverage research data platforms like TriNetX for educational purposes, providing students with a way to engage in research that is scalable.