Research

Scholarly activity is a key aspect of the med-peds residency. Residents enjoy ample research opportunities through MetroHealth, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and our affiliated neighboring institutions. Resident research is supported through regular mentoring from the assistant program director of scholarly activity who works with each resident to identify and cultivate research interests.

Residents work with faculty on quality improvement initiatives, development of order sets and best practice pathways through the electronic medical record. Residents are trained to research through large, de-identified data sets such as Explorys which supports the powerful and evolving area of medical informatics research.

All residents present scholarly activity at least twice during residency. We have an annual Med- Peds research symposium where residents have the opportunity to present unique cases, original research or quality improvement projects in a collegial setting.

Trainees pursue case reports, develop and publish their own research projects, or support faculty research throughout the CWRU system. Current resident research projects include:

• Changes in integrated relaxation pressure in patients with normal manometry and those with esophagogastric outlet obstruction
• The impact of broadband access to improve health outcomes (in partnership with the MetroHealth Institute for H.O.P.E. [Improved Health through Opportunity, Partnership and Empowerment])
• Association between steatosis with obstructive sleep apnea
• Risk factors in near fatal asthma admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit
• Association between irritable bowel syndrome and mast cell disorders
• Experiences in penicillin allergy delabeling at a tertiary urban hospital
• Improving colorectal cancer screening rates through a population health level initiative
• The “two-bag” system of treating diabetic ketoacidosis in the MICU: translating pediatric best practices to the adult ICU setting
• Updated treatment paradigms in the treatment of latent tuberculosis in refugee communities

Clinical vignettes presented at the 2020 CWRU research symposium:

• A case of persistent erythematous pruritic rash, eosinophilia, and anasarca
• Severe hemolysis following Impella device placement in cardiogenic shock
• Seizures in a previously healthy child as the initial presentation of primary hypoparathyroidism
• Postpartum spontaneous coronary artery dissection: an unusual cause of chest pain
• An unusual presentation of vaping-associated lung injury in an adolescent patient
• Skull fractures during delivery: a rare yet concerning birth complication

For residents pursuing fellowship, our team facilitates your match into subspecialty training with thorough research, local and national conferences, strong mentorship and intellectual connections.