How to Get Involved in Research: A Systematic Guide for the PM&R Trainee-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This session, led by three assistant professors in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), offers comprehensive guidance on how trainees can get involved in research. The presenters share their diverse research journeys, emphasizing the importance of personal motivation and finding meaningful projects aligned with one’s clinical interests. They discuss why engaging in research benefits PM&R trainees: it enhances professional growth, fosters collaborative opportunities, supports academic career advancement, and can provide schedule flexibility.<br /><br />Different research types are explained—from case reports and review articles to retrospective and prospective clinical studies, quality improvement projects, and basic science research—highlighting their pros and cons regarding impact, feasibility, time, and resource requirements. The importance of mentorship is strongly emphasized; traits of effective mentors include active publication, expertise aligned with the mentee’s interests, robust networks, good communication, and willingness to provide constructive feedback. Mentees should be professional, proactive, clear about goals, open to feedback, and communicative.<br /><br />Practical strategies include using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix for prioritization, setting realistic goals with timelines, leveraging institutional resources (librarians, statisticians, databases), seeking funding and protected research time, and considering research training programs such as the Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program (RMSTP). The speakers advise trainees to assess their personal situations and career objectives honestly to choose appropriate research paths, and to balance research with clinical and personal responsibilities by protecting focused work time.<br /><br />The session concludes with a Q&A addressing challenges such as publication bias, navigating mentor relationships, engaging in remote mentorship, leveraging networks, and managing time effectively to sustain research productivity during demanding clinical training.

Keywords

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

PM&R trainees

research involvement

mentorship in research

types of research studies

professional growth

collaborative opportunities

academic career advancement

research training programs

time management

publication bias