By Rick Silvia, PharmD, BCPP
Dr. Jack J. Chen is an Associate Professor at Loma Linda University in southern California. He has been actively engaged in neurology research for over ten years as part of his academic and clinical appointments, and was kind enough to share some of his time and insight into pharmacist research.
How did you first get started in neurology?
Dr. Chen first became involved with Parkinson’s Disease support groups conducting patient education sessions and other activities earlier in his career. As a result, he developed an interest in the disease as well as other movement disorders, and has been involved in the field for between 10-15 years.
How did you first get started in research?
His first research exposure was part of his residency experience in the mid 90’s. His residency preceptor mentored him throughout the process of developing and conducting a clinical trial conducted at the facility, a double-blind, placebo-controlled medication study. This gave Dr. Chen good exposure to the various aspects of research, from writing protocols, developing the study methods, enrolling patients, and analyzing the data to writing and submitting the study manuscript for publication. He also learned the value of collaboration with people from other fields: physicians, nurses, statisticians, and other pharmacists. As a result of this initial research experience, Dr. Chen was recognized with the 1999 Drug Therapy Research Award from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation.
What do you think is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in conducting research and how did you overcome it?
Finding time to conduct research has been one of the bigger challenges for Dr. Chen. He says that research is not a “week-long thing” but more of a longitudinal process. For investigator-initiated studies, there needs to be “protected time” set aside to get it done, and that includes time to come up with ideas, conduct the research itself, and then prepare the manuscript or poster or other means of presenting the data collected.
Another challenge has been in finding people to assist him in his research. This includes people to work alongside him as well as assist him. Dr. Chen has found that working with trainees and students when they are available has been highly useful to help get various projects completed. He also works closely with his neurologist colleagues and with other healthcare professionals in various roles from partnerships, collaborations, and mentorships. In this way he has found it easier to complete the research projects in which he has engaged.
What advice would you give someone trying to start their own research?
First and foremost, he recommends starting with the idea. If you have a good idea, look through the published literature. Try to determine if the idea is something novel- “you don’t want to repeat something that’s already been done multiple times before.” Or, if you do, make sure you add a novel twist. Ensure your results will contribute something to the field and meet an unmet need. “Make sure your efforts will do something that will have meaning.”
He also believes that in getting started you should try to collaborate with others. Try to find a collaborator or “champion” to work with: someone who also believes in the idea and will work with you to see it through. This may be someone outside of pharmacy within the facility or even someone outside the facility. “This helps to enrich your study and makes things more efficient… it also helps to build future partnerships…” He believes that pharmacists need to consider working with other professions as we work on research. “We tend to stay within our profession- perhaps too much” and that working with other professions will help get things done more efficiently and more completely.
What final thoughts do you have for those considering research activities?
Research may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be something huge. Small pilot studies, chart reviews and other smaller projects can all help. Start small and build up to bigger things as you are able. Everyone also thinks that you need large grants to conduct research: grants that are not easily obtained. This is not necessary, especially as you’re just getting started.
He also says to work on building up your experience in research and develop a dossier within the area. Try to stick to a similar topic/area of interest and build up in that area. In that way you start to become known within that area and also start developing collaborations with others interested in that area. Maintain a focus and keep working on it.
Dr. Jack Chen is an Associate Professor of Neurology in the Movement Disorders Clinic of Loma Linda University’s Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy in Loma Linda, CA. He is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (FCCP), Board Certified in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BCPS), and a Certified Geriatric Practitioner (CGP). He is currently involved in both investigator-initiated trials as well as larger industry-sponsored trials in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
