Research symposium keynote speaker says to put patient at the center of research

In a speech to attendees of Ohio University’s Health Scholars Research Symposium, W. David Arnold, M.D., emphasized the important role of physician scientists in bridging the worlds of research and patient care, noting that translational medicine must go both ways: from lab to clinic, and from the bedside of patients back to the lab.

“It’s not unidirectional…It’s really a circular kind of trajectory,” said Arnold. “We put patients at the center of care. We also need to do that with research. Our patients are our motivation.”

To emphasize his point, Arnold, the executive director of the NextGen Precision Health Initiative and professor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, shared the story of one of his patients, Maura.

She came to the neuromuscular clinic experiencing progressive loss of muscle strength and function and was diagnosed with ALS. Arnold said he and the rest of the team couldn’t give her the answers she wanted, but they could try to reduce the burden of ALS on her life. Later, at her funeral, he learned from her family that her involvement in research gave meaning to her suffering.

“This is the reason that I wanted to talk about her case,” Arnold explained, saying Maura inspired him. “I do think as a physician we need to bring the next best thing to our patients. And so, I feel like it’s my responsibility to bring clinical trials and do things in the lab that actually matter.”

Arnold, who leads translational research in neuromuscular physiology related to health, aging and disease, shared his journey from growing up in rural Appalachian Kentucky to becoming a physician.

“I wanted a job I could depend on, and I wanted to make sure that job was worthwhile. That I could contribute to people’s health and wellbeing. So, I thought that being a physician was a good path,” said Arnold.

He described being on the “conveyer belt of medicine,” until he saw the power of research while working in a faculty position.

“You’ll often see the clinical world and research are often two different universes…but physician scientists are super critical for connecting the world between discovery and clinical implementation,” he said.

Arnold advised medical students who attended the talk to “find a space where you are really, really motivated to find an answer to your question. Ideally, it’s a space where not a lot of other people are working and where you can contribute.”

Examining age-related weakness peaked his interest. Now, Arnold focuses on understanding age-related decline in muscle and nerve function through clinical and preclinical studies. Rather than simply extending lifespan, his research aims to improve health span—the number of years individuals maintain function, independence and quality of life.

Arnold closed his talk saying, “Research matters, not just for creating therapies, but it’s hope, it’s team. I always tell my patients that clinical research is a team. We need them just as much as they need us.”

Student researchers, faculty mentors and health professionals attended the Health Scholars Research Symposium for a day of learning, recognition and collaboration. The annual event was co-hosted by the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Health Sciences and Professions, and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service. Following Arnold’s keynote speech, a poster symposium was held highlighting the work of student researchers, with several receiving awards for their innovation and research excellence.

Image

Basic/Biomedical Research

• Faisal Reza, OMS I (Perfect Score)
  “Finite Element Modeling Analysis of Traumatic Brain Injury Induced by Frontal and Crown Impact”
  Mentor: Dr. Michael Hanna

Clinical Research (Tie)

• Sahej Bindra, OMS II
  “Qualitative Investigation of Pre-Participation History and Physical Examination with Scholastic Athletes”
  Mentor: Dr. Aaron Lear
• Caden Togrul, OMS II
  “Improving Efficiency of Clinic Visits in Radiation Oncology”
  Mentor: Dr. Maxwell Tran

Social Behavioral/Medical Education/Policy Research

• Zoya Bessler, Undergraduate Student
  “Assessing Comfort Levels Regarding AI Usage in Clinical Healthcare”
  Mentors: Dr. Kelly Nottingham, Dr. Cory Cronin, and Sara Berens