The COMmunicator 2019-20 Vol. 3 | Page 29

INTERVIEW WITH SETH BUTLER, COM '21

What led you to present at the NHOA Winter Symposium?

The NH Osteopathic Association reached out to some members of the NH 3rd year rotation sites to attend the conference, present, and/or assist with OMT.

Tell us about your research:

Objectively measuring pain sensitivity has not been easy in primary care clinics. A sphygmomanometer test that measures an individual's nociceptive response to pressure using a standard blood pressure cuff had previously been established to test pain. Over the past 3 years, myself (OMS III), Kyle Draleau (DO '19), Ross Heinrich (OMS IV), Liem Nguyen (OMS III), David Shbeeb (OMS IV), and Daniel Sigalovsky (DO '19), under the guidance of Dr. Ling Cao from UNE and Dr. Stephen Hull from the Mercy Pain Center, set out to examine the feasibility of using the sphygmomanometer test with chronic pain patients. This would provide a much cheaper and simpler alternative to the existing heat, cold, and pressure sensitivity tests that could be used in the primary care setting. Overall, our results indicate the unique characteristics of sphygmomanometer test as a pain sensitivity test, particularly when utilized for individuals with chronic pain. Multiple pain sensitivity tests that assess various sensory modalities are necessary to evaluate pain sensitivities in chronic pain patients.

How did the experience compare to other poster presentations you have participated in?

Having presented at the MOA Winter Symposium in Portland, the Eastern Pain Association Annual Meeting in NY, and the UNE Annual Research Forum, I found this to be a unique opportunity to present my clinically-applicable research to other clinicians practicing at hospitals across the state. I appreciated that there were a limited number of other presenters, which allowed for more direct, face-to-face discussions with conference attendees about my research. Additionally, the conference was structured such that after presenting to small groups of people, I presented out loud in front of everyone.

Do you remember any specific questions you were asked during the poster presentation? What were some of your thoughts as the judging was taking place?

a.Many people asked about the utility of my research in their practice. Since our results were statistically significant for the control group, many practitioners wanted to know how this could be applied to their patients, whether for acute pain, longevity of pain treatment, etc.

b.It can be tough as a 3rd year medical student (our first year in the clinical setting) to have to "think on your feet" and answer promptly to Attending's questions. As you progress through first and second year, you learn to utilize the information you've managed to retain and apply it to the new challenges and questions you face; I did this research because it was clinically-relevant and a topic I was genuinely interested in, so when research judges are trying to test my understanding of our research, I focus on the big picture and apply our results to the context of what they're asking.

When did you find out that you had won the Judge's Award? What was your reaction?

After the poster presentations to the entire group, there was a brief period for everyone in attendance to vote. Having before received 2nd place in the Eastern Pain Association conference behind the other UNE COM presenter, I was especially excited to have finished in 1st this time with the Judges Award.