Research Advisors
For many OUM graduates, becoming a physician had been a delayed lifelong dream. Providing a flexible curriculum not often found at traditional brick-and-mortar universities meant our graduates were able to overcome distance, personal, and professional barriers to achieve their goal to practice medicine. For a number of OUM alumni, being given that opportunity keeps them fondly connected to OUM and to each other.
In 2022 a group of graduates from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Samoa, and the US established the OUM Alumni Association (OUMAA). Inaugural board members chaired the first meeting at which attendees confirmed a Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Core Values, also brainstorming ideas for future activities.
Role
As part of the Research Program, Research Advisors are available to assist students in all aspects of their required research projects, such as:
- Selecting a research topic and developing a research question.
- Designing the study/project.
- Guiding literature search.
- Choosing the best methods for statistical analysis.
- Reviewing the prospectus and the manuscript drafts prior to submission.
Meetings
- As students become ready to begin their research project, they first meet with the Director of Research to be assigned a Research Advisor.
- Meetings with Research Advisors are initiated by students, as needed, when they need assistance with their project.
- Research Advisors may recommend that students attend Research Club to hear ideas and gain a better understanding of the research process.
Research Prospectus
- Once a student’s research prospectus has been written and reviewed by the Director of Research, it is presented to the Research Club.
- After the presentation, the prospectus must be approved by the Research and Ethics Committees.
- Students must have their prospectus approved before they are able to begin clinical rotations and are highly advised to get an early start on the process.
Research Project
- Completing a research project, including writing a publishable manuscript accepted for publication, is a graduation requirement.
- Several resources are available to assist students in preparing for and completing their project including the Research Methodology Unit, Research Advisors, Research Club, Journal Club, Library, and the Research Committee.
*The University reserves the right to change its program offerings and policies without notice.