Internship
Clinical Research Affiliate
During my capstone internship with Indiana University Health, I worked as a Clinical Research Affiliate in a cardiology clinic setting. This experience allowed me to work directly alongside a physician and clinical research team while engaging with patients during research encounters. My role connected patient care, clinical research operations, and data management by supporting informed consent, clinical data collection, REDCap entry, and follow-up visit documentation.
This internship strengthened my understanding of how research is conducted in a real clinical environment. I gained experience with patient-facing communication, electronic medical record review, validated assessment tools, and regulatory expectations related to confidentiality, documentation, and data accuracy. It also helped me see how clinical research can support evidence-based care and contribute to improved understanding of patient outcomes in cardiology and cardio-oncology populations.
Primary Responsibilities and Projects
During my internship, I supported clinical research activities in a cardiology clinic by assisting with patient encounters, study documentation, and data management. My work helped ensure that research data were collected accurately, entered securely, and aligned with study protocols.
-
Patient Engagement and Informed Consent
I worked directly with patients during research encounters, explained study-related procedures, obtained informed consent, and supported patient understanding throughout the research process. -
Clinical and Demographic Data Collection
I collected clinical, demographic, and visit-specific information from the electronic medical record and patient encounters. This helped me strengthen my attention to detail and understanding of how clinical data supports research outcomes. -
In-Clinic Research Assessments
I facilitated data collection using an iPad-based platform where patients completed video check-ins for AI-enabled facial and voice analysis. I also administered validated assessment tools, including the PHQ-9 and Fatigue Assessment Scale, during initial and follow-up visits. -
REDCap Data Management and Quality Review
I independently entered, managed, and maintained study data in REDCap, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance. I also supported data validation by comparing AI-derived fatigue and depression metrics with standardized clinical instruments. -
Research Operations and Professional Growth
This internship helped me develop technical skills in clinical data management, EMR review, REDCap, and research documentation. It also strengthened my soft skills in patient communication, professionalism, adaptability, and collaboration with healthcare professionals.