Cardiology has always been an area of interest for some students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMUL), who have carried out scientific research projects in this field within the scope of the “Education through Science” programme organised by the Office for Scientific, Technological and Innovation Research Support (GAPIC).
The “Education through Science” Programme has included, in its 12th and 13th editions (2008/2009 and 2009/2010), 28 students involved in 14 projects supervised by 14 tutors from the University Clinic of Cardiology and the Cardiology Centre (See Table).
From among this set of projects, three Works were presented in the form of a poster at the XXXI Portuguese Cardiology Congress, held between the 9th and 12th of April 2010 at the Lisbon Congress Centre:
- “Anomalies of the Interauricular Septum in the Young Adult with Cryptogenic Cerebral Vascular Accident – Contribution to the Study of the Physiopathological Mechanisms and Risk Factors”, by João P. Nobre, Gonçalo Envia, João E. Reis, Nuno Cortez Dias, Teresa P. Melo, Ana G. Almeida and Mário G. Lopes;
- “Extent of Myocardial Edema and Necrosis in Myorcarditis assessed by Magnetic Resonance – Impact on the Bio-Markers and on the Ventricular Function”, by Raquel Magalhães, João Silva Marques, Vanessa Carvalho, Miguel Menezes, M. Gato Varela, Doroteia Silva, Conceição Amaro, Dulce Brito, Ana G. Almeida and Mário G. Lopes;
- “Meaning of Electrocardiographic Alterations in Acute Myocarditis” by Miguel Menezes, João Marques, Raquel Magalhães, Vanessa Carvalho, M. Gato Varela, Cláudia Jorge, Paula Costa, Dulce Brito, Ana G. Almeida and Mário G. Lopes.
Also of note in this congress was the oral presentation of a work carried out at the Institute of Physiology, within the scope of the 12th Programme (2008/2009):
- “ Overlapping Drug Eluting-Stents – Limus versus Paclitaxel”, by Miguel Bigotte, Rute Baeta Baptista, E. Infante de Oliveira, Henrique Mesquita Gabriel, Pedro Almeida, Isabel Rocha, P. Canas da Silva and Mário G. Lopes.
This work has also been accepted in the form of a poster at the European Congress of Cardiology, which will be held from the 28th of August to the 1st of September 2010 in Stockholm.
Given the relevance of the participation of these students in the Portuguese Cardiology Congress, the editorial team considered it to be relevant to hold a short interview about this experience with these young researchers.
As for the reasons that led the students to submit their work to the Portuguese Cardiology Congress, one can clearly see their enthusiasm and pride in publicly presenting the results of the research projects in which they have been involved:
“The project was submitted to the Portuguese Cardiology Congress as it had been considered to be of sufficient scientific interest to be exhibited at an event of this kind. It was accepted, having been chosen to be presented in the form of an oral communication.” (Miguel Vieira)
“The area of the myocardites is the subject of great research, because there is still a good deal to learn on all levels (diagnosis, therapy and prognosis). We had a project with a considerable number of patients who were subjected to extensive research, with it being possible to obtain a lot of data that would allow us some frankly interesting results. So we thought it would be advantageous for Cardiology, for the Faculty, for the Hospital, and for us to bring it to the Congress. Not to do so would be a waste of a good opportunity for everyone. To our delight, it was accepted, which to some extent “validated” our strong conviction that the Project had quality and was of use.” (Miguel Meneses)
“Cardiology is without doubt a medical specialty with a great impact on public health, and the results we obtained and presented at the 12th “Education through Science” Workshop were very positive, and, encouraged by Professor Ana Almeida, there then appeared the possibility of our presenting some summaries to (adaptations of the original Project developed in the GAPIC) to the Portuguese Cardiology Congress, which were then accepted for presentation.” (Raquel Magalhães)
“If this were accepted it would represent for me, as a student, a challenge to be able to present a project to an audience of specialists in the area.” (Vanessa Carvalho)
Among the students it is accepted that this experience was a great advantage, particularly in the acquisition of knowledge and experience on the level of scientific research:
“In personal terms I consider that participation in this project allowed me to get to know the several stages that a clinical research project goes through. It allowed me to become aware of what I consider to be the difficulties, the need for persistence and the personal fulfilment associated to scientific research. In this sense I consider I am, after carrying out this project, better prepared to join another research project.” (Miguel Vieira)
“For us students it allowed us contact with clinical research in an undergraduate phase, acquiring experience (which includes not only scientific knowledge, but also practical capacity to go beyond the most varied difficulties that turn up) and liking that, in addition to valorizing our training, will make it easier for us to carry out more and better projects. (…) Besides this, it proves that students can have an active role in research through the vigour and quality of work that we produce, and is thus an added value to those doing research. In addition, as the Faculty develops this type of initiatives it is increasing its scientific production and the capacity of the doctors it trains, and thus the value of medicine in Portugal.” (Miguel Meneses)
“I think that all the works are a stimulus to knowledge, and even the preliminary results are important, because they are often indicators of the future path to follow, and so they should be encouraged, with the GAPIC having played an important role in this field.” (Raquel Magalhães)
“In the future, the Project will be useful, not only for a better understanding of physiopathology and clinical presentation of Myocardites, but also to define what the criteria and best methods to use in its diagnosis are.” (Vanessa Carvalho)
The students highlighted the role played by the GAPIC in this beginning of their scientific activity as young researchers:
“I consider the GAPIC, as well as the “Education through Science” programmes, to be excellent means of contact between the student community and the scientific area of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon. I think it is important for students to have the possibility of joining research projects during their academic career. This practice allows us to become sensitive from an early stage to the different components of scientific research.” (Miguel Vieira)
“On the one hand it provides financial support, without which research is impossible, motivating research groups to include us in their projects. On the other hand, without this type of initiative it would perhaps be difficult for students to come into contact with research at a relatively early stage, as given the natural scientific and clinical “immaturity” inherent to the phase we are going through many people may see us as more of a burden that a valuable addition to their projects. The institutionalization of this type of initiative is fundamental, as it guarantees support and organisation, and places emphasis not only on the development of a research Project due to its own scientific value but also on the students and the pedagogical value that research may have for us.” (Miguel Meneses)
“The GAPIC was a fundamental link in the promoting, developing and encouraging of scientific activity by students, allied to the availability, interest, dedication and constant accompaniment by the project supervisors.” (Raquel Magalhães)
“The GAPIC was like a launch pad... I began this project with GAPIC, I deepened my knowledge in the area and now I feel highly motivated to continue to discover more secrets in relation to this pathology [myocarditis].” (Vanessa Carvalho)
André Silva
Editorial Team– andresilva@fm.ul.pt
Antónia Ferreira
Editorial Team – pereiraferreira@fm.ul.pt
Sónia Barroso
Editorial Team– sbarroso@fm.ul.pt
The “Education through Science” Programme has included, in its 12th and 13th editions (2008/2009 and 2009/2010), 28 students involved in 14 projects supervised by 14 tutors from the University Clinic of Cardiology and the Cardiology Centre (See Table).
From among this set of projects, three Works were presented in the form of a poster at the XXXI Portuguese Cardiology Congress, held between the 9th and 12th of April 2010 at the Lisbon Congress Centre:
- “Anomalies of the Interauricular Septum in the Young Adult with Cryptogenic Cerebral Vascular Accident – Contribution to the Study of the Physiopathological Mechanisms and Risk Factors”, by João P. Nobre, Gonçalo Envia, João E. Reis, Nuno Cortez Dias, Teresa P. Melo, Ana G. Almeida and Mário G. Lopes;
- “Extent of Myocardial Edema and Necrosis in Myorcarditis assessed by Magnetic Resonance – Impact on the Bio-Markers and on the Ventricular Function”, by Raquel Magalhães, João Silva Marques, Vanessa Carvalho, Miguel Menezes, M. Gato Varela, Doroteia Silva, Conceição Amaro, Dulce Brito, Ana G. Almeida and Mário G. Lopes;
- “Meaning of Electrocardiographic Alterations in Acute Myocarditis” by Miguel Menezes, João Marques, Raquel Magalhães, Vanessa Carvalho, M. Gato Varela, Cláudia Jorge, Paula Costa, Dulce Brito, Ana G. Almeida and Mário G. Lopes.
Also of note in this congress was the oral presentation of a work carried out at the Institute of Physiology, within the scope of the 12th Programme (2008/2009):
- “ Overlapping Drug Eluting-Stents – Limus versus Paclitaxel”, by Miguel Bigotte, Rute Baeta Baptista, E. Infante de Oliveira, Henrique Mesquita Gabriel, Pedro Almeida, Isabel Rocha, P. Canas da Silva and Mário G. Lopes.
This work has also been accepted in the form of a poster at the European Congress of Cardiology, which will be held from the 28th of August to the 1st of September 2010 in Stockholm.
Given the relevance of the participation of these students in the Portuguese Cardiology Congress, the editorial team considered it to be relevant to hold a short interview about this experience with these young researchers.
As for the reasons that led the students to submit their work to the Portuguese Cardiology Congress, one can clearly see their enthusiasm and pride in publicly presenting the results of the research projects in which they have been involved:
“The project was submitted to the Portuguese Cardiology Congress as it had been considered to be of sufficient scientific interest to be exhibited at an event of this kind. It was accepted, having been chosen to be presented in the form of an oral communication.” (Miguel Vieira)
“The area of the myocardites is the subject of great research, because there is still a good deal to learn on all levels (diagnosis, therapy and prognosis). We had a project with a considerable number of patients who were subjected to extensive research, with it being possible to obtain a lot of data that would allow us some frankly interesting results. So we thought it would be advantageous for Cardiology, for the Faculty, for the Hospital, and for us to bring it to the Congress. Not to do so would be a waste of a good opportunity for everyone. To our delight, it was accepted, which to some extent “validated” our strong conviction that the Project had quality and was of use.” (Miguel Meneses)
“Cardiology is without doubt a medical specialty with a great impact on public health, and the results we obtained and presented at the 12th “Education through Science” Workshop were very positive, and, encouraged by Professor Ana Almeida, there then appeared the possibility of our presenting some summaries to (adaptations of the original Project developed in the GAPIC) to the Portuguese Cardiology Congress, which were then accepted for presentation.” (Raquel Magalhães)
“If this were accepted it would represent for me, as a student, a challenge to be able to present a project to an audience of specialists in the area.” (Vanessa Carvalho)
Among the students it is accepted that this experience was a great advantage, particularly in the acquisition of knowledge and experience on the level of scientific research:
“In personal terms I consider that participation in this project allowed me to get to know the several stages that a clinical research project goes through. It allowed me to become aware of what I consider to be the difficulties, the need for persistence and the personal fulfilment associated to scientific research. In this sense I consider I am, after carrying out this project, better prepared to join another research project.” (Miguel Vieira)
“For us students it allowed us contact with clinical research in an undergraduate phase, acquiring experience (which includes not only scientific knowledge, but also practical capacity to go beyond the most varied difficulties that turn up) and liking that, in addition to valorizing our training, will make it easier for us to carry out more and better projects. (…) Besides this, it proves that students can have an active role in research through the vigour and quality of work that we produce, and is thus an added value to those doing research. In addition, as the Faculty develops this type of initiatives it is increasing its scientific production and the capacity of the doctors it trains, and thus the value of medicine in Portugal.” (Miguel Meneses)
“I think that all the works are a stimulus to knowledge, and even the preliminary results are important, because they are often indicators of the future path to follow, and so they should be encouraged, with the GAPIC having played an important role in this field.” (Raquel Magalhães)
“In the future, the Project will be useful, not only for a better understanding of physiopathology and clinical presentation of Myocardites, but also to define what the criteria and best methods to use in its diagnosis are.” (Vanessa Carvalho)
The students highlighted the role played by the GAPIC in this beginning of their scientific activity as young researchers:
“I consider the GAPIC, as well as the “Education through Science” programmes, to be excellent means of contact between the student community and the scientific area of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon. I think it is important for students to have the possibility of joining research projects during their academic career. This practice allows us to become sensitive from an early stage to the different components of scientific research.” (Miguel Vieira)
“On the one hand it provides financial support, without which research is impossible, motivating research groups to include us in their projects. On the other hand, without this type of initiative it would perhaps be difficult for students to come into contact with research at a relatively early stage, as given the natural scientific and clinical “immaturity” inherent to the phase we are going through many people may see us as more of a burden that a valuable addition to their projects. The institutionalization of this type of initiative is fundamental, as it guarantees support and organisation, and places emphasis not only on the development of a research Project due to its own scientific value but also on the students and the pedagogical value that research may have for us.” (Miguel Meneses)
“The GAPIC was a fundamental link in the promoting, developing and encouraging of scientific activity by students, allied to the availability, interest, dedication and constant accompaniment by the project supervisors.” (Raquel Magalhães)
“The GAPIC was like a launch pad... I began this project with GAPIC, I deepened my knowledge in the area and now I feel highly motivated to continue to discover more secrets in relation to this pathology [myocarditis].” (Vanessa Carvalho)
André Silva
Editorial Team– andresilva@fm.ul.pt
Antónia Ferreira
Editorial Team – pereiraferreira@fm.ul.pt
Sónia Barroso
Editorial Team– sbarroso@fm.ul.pt
