2016 FoM SSRP PROJECT REGISTRATION AND DESCRIPTION FORM
Suggested Deadline to post projects: January 26, 2016
Applications will be accepted from:
Both MD & non-MD Undergraduates
MD undergraduate students only
non-MD undergraduate students only
Project Duration:
Suitable for either a 4 or 8 week project (Only MD 2017 students are eligible to apply for 4-week projects)
Only suitable for an 8-week project
Only suitable for a 4-week project
Additional notes to potential applicants:
Working use of MS excel is a useful skill for this project.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project Title:
The Thoracic Surgery Emypema Study Program – Phase I: Population Study on Incidence and Risk
Factors
Hypothesis or Research Question being addressed:
Research Question: What is the incidence rate and risk factors for empyema at Vancouver General Hospital?
Keywords: Provide approximately 5 key words that describe the proposed research project.
Empyema, population research, epidemiology, thoracic surgery, respiratory medicine
PROJECT ATTRIBUTES AND BENEFIT TO THE STUDENT
Please review the online adjudication criteria carefully prior to completing the next two sections to ensure your
application is addressing the adjudication criteria outlined in “Project Attributes and Benefits to the Student”.
A) Background and Summary of Proposed Research. In the space available, summarize the proposed
project including the rationale for the project, the context within the relevant field of research, the
proposed research approach and the expected project outcomes: (please write in lay terms for a nonspecialist audience)
If this is an ongoing project of >8 weeks duration (or 4 weeks for MD 2017 students) clearly distinguish the expected
project outcomes at the end of the FoM SSRP funding period from the overall project objectives.
450 Word Limit
Background and rationale: Empyema, or infection of the pleural space, is a common acquired
disease that can have significant impact on an individual's future quality of life. This infection can be
related to a medical condition such as pneumonia, or post-surgical. Regardless of cause, if
empyema left inadequately treated, it can result in debilitating chronic lung disease (fibrothorax),
deminishing baseline function. Acutely, the infection has the potential for systemic life threatening
infection. For the purpose of determining treatment, empyema can be divided into 3 phases:
exudative, fibrinopurulant, and chronic organizing. Treatment in general depends on the phase at
diagnosis, and may involve a combination of antibiotics, pleural space drainage with chest tubes,
intrapleural fibrinolytics, or surgical decortication/empyectomy.
The thoracic surgery clinical research unit is embarking on a multiphase quality improvement
empyema study program at Vancouver General Hospital. The first crucial phase of this project
involves a retrospective review defining the incidence rate and empyema risk factors for our study
population over a specified time period. The second phase of the project will involve a retrospective
descriptive study describing treatment modalities and outcomes for our population with empyema.
2016 FoM SUMMER STUDENT RESEARCH PROGRAM
The third phase will involve a prospective pilot trial of treatment outcomes.
Project Outcomes: The student will be a partner is completing phase 1 of our project. The goal being
to describe the incidence rate of empyema at VGH and identify risk factors for our population. In
doing this the student will learn how to organized already acquired data for analysis, interpret and
prepare for presentation the phase 1 study findings.
B) Outline the student’s role in the project and describe how they will benefit from their involvement.
This section must address how involvement in this project will help the student gain an understanding of how
high quality research is conducted. This includes addressing the opportunities to learn new skills in the context
of the relevant learning objectives listed in the online adjudication criteria; their anticipated interactions with
other researchers and the available resources that will contribute to a beneficial experience.
Clearly indicate which items will be completed during the FoM SSRP funding period and which (if applicable) will be
completed before or after the funding period if the student and supervisor have chosen to also work together outside of the
funding period. Project feasibility is considered during the adjudication process; 4-week and 8-week projects will be
adjudicated separately, with appropriate consideration given to each.
550 Word Limit
Student Role: To ensure project feasibility, ethics approval and acquisition of all de-identified raw
study data will be completed by the research supervisor prior to student arrival. The student will be
invovled in and learn about: study design, data organization, data analysis and interpretation of
study results. The student will present the results of the study to the Thoracic Surgery Clinical Care
team, as well as learn how to prepare a research abstract for submission to the Canadian
Association of Thoracic Surgeons annual conference. The student may also assist in preparation of
the final manuscript of this project for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
Available Resources: A secure computer will be available to the student at the Thoracic Surgery
Clinical Research Unit, for storage of study data, and preparation of presentation and abstract. The
student will be mentored closely my the research supervisor to ensure learning and timely
completion of the project. The student will also have the opportunity to attend all thoracic surgery
team teaching sessions. Co-investigators on the project with the student will be: Dr Anna McGuire,
Dr Basil Nasir and Dr John Yee from the Division of Thoracic Surgery Vancouver.
New skills: The student will become very comfortable with manipulation of study raw data in
preparation for data analysis. They will also become knowledgable in the clinical care of empyema
patients from a medical and surgical perspective. Importantly, the student will become comfortable
preparing study results for presentation to peers, as well as at national conferences.
Please indicate if your project requires the following and indicate their status as appropriate. This will
help clarify the scope of the project for potential student partners.
This project requires ethics approval (human or animal):
Yes
No
If yes please indicate if you:
Already have approval
Will obtain approval before the SSRP funding period
Intend for ethics application to be a focus over the funding period
*Please note that as ethics approval can be a lengthy process it is recommended that this be obtained well in advance of the funding period unless the
2016 FoM SUMMER STUDENT RESEARCH PROGRAM
intention is for this activity to form a major part of the FoM SSRP-funded portion of the project.
This project requires access to electronic medical records:
Yes
No
If yes please indicate if you:
Already have approval
Will obtain approval before the SSRP funding period
Plan to obtain approval during the SSRP funding period
Research Location (As applicable, indicate where the project will be conducted.)
City or Region: Vancouver
Research Centre: Thoracic Surgery Clinical Research Unit
Hospital: Vancouver General Hospital
Program or Unit: Thoracic Surgery
Additional information (building, lab etc.): Diamond Health Care Center (DHCC) 7th Floor
Supervisor’s Information
Supervisor Last Name:
McGuire
Supervisor First Name:
Anna
FoM Department/School (Main FoM Appointment):
Surgery
UBC FoM Division (if applicable):
Thoracic Surgery
Preferred contact method (for students)
Phone supervisor
Email supervisor
Preferred Phone:
604-875-5388 (press ext #4 for Ingrid, Dr McGuire's Assistant)
Phone alternate contact
Email alternate contact
Secondary Phone:
E-mail Address:
anna.mcguire@vch.ca
Optional Alternate Contact (e.g. co-supervisor, research/lab coordinator, assistant etc.)
Contact’s Name:
Ms Ingrid Frank
Contact’s Phone Number:
604-875-5388
Contact’s Role:
Thoracic Surgery Medical Office Assistant to Dr
McGuire
Contact’s E-mail Address:
ingrid.frank@vch.ca