INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW POSTOLOWSKI, COM '22 & ROSHAN PATEL, COM '22
What are the next steps for your research?
Our goal is to eventually broaden the survey outside of Maine and compare results with other regions of the US. In addition, the results from our study are being used to structure an event in partnership with the Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education (formerly IPEC). The event, entitled “Talk to Me, Look at Me, Know Me”, will focus on educating healthcare professional students and pre-health undergraduate students on communicating with IDD patients to help them build stronger relationships with their future patients. Our keynote speaker is Nancy Cronin, the Executive Director of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council. The event will be on March 25th in Innovation Hall 104 (Portland) and streamed to The Ripich Commons in Biddeford.
How do you see your research informing your own clinical work as a future provider?
We both strongly believe that our project will have a lasting impact on our clinical work as future providers. The caregiver’s responses to the qualitative (open-ended) questions were emotional and passionate and really underscored what it means to be a physician. We asked caregivers what they think are the most important characteristics of a good provider. They consistently responded with words like respect, empathy, trust, and compassion, which are all qualities we intend to embody as practicing osteopathic physicians. <>
View MOA Award Winners
View their abstract and poster.