Three undergraduate students from the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing were successful in their applications. Zé Jonathon Yearwood, (BScN 24) Zaynashae Boreland, (BScN 23) and Sarah Elkhalifa (BScN 24) were recipients of the 2023 CIHR Black Student Undergraduate Research Awards (USRAs) program. The program aims to provide research experience that complements a student’s respective degree program and inspires them to consider graduate studies in the fields of health and life sciences.
The three students were paired with Bloomberg Nursing faculty members who are conducting research across a broad range of topics, including cognitive function among people affected by cancer, pain care in pediatric cancer populations, and the prevalence and impact of drug infusion clinics for high-cost biologics across Canada.
The opportunity to engage in research as part of their nursing undergraduate
degree is something all three found incredibly rewarding and they share that how it has altered their perspective of how embedded the nursing profession is in driving solution-focused research that improves outcomes for patients. The program’s tailoring to Black students and encouragement of Black representation in research is also something
they have indicated as a positive step forward.
“This program is definitely a step in the right direction with respect to increasing spaces and opportunities for Black students to be a part of research, and connect them with mentors in the field,” says Boreland, who is now a registered nurse at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Throughout her time in the CIHR USRA program, Boreland worked closely with Assistant Professor Lindsay Jibb on a project evaluating a co-designed mobile application for parents of children with cancer. The app which features algorithm-based instructions, provides parents of children with cancer information about what they can do to manage their child’s pain at home, in addition to using medications.
As part of the project’s assessment phase, Boreland was involved in data collection, including transcribing interview transcripts, and coding data from parent and patient feedback which helped to determine the success and future progress of the mobile app.
“Listening to the transcripts describing patient experiences was a significant
highlight for me of participating in this project. It was humbling to hear what
the parents and patients are going through, and to be able to learn how this
research is aiming to support them,” says Boreland.
According to Jibb, the project’s lead and a Scientist in Child Evaluative Health Sciences at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Boreland’s work has been instrumental in helping her team learn how parents need to feel supported.
“We know that cancer pain is highly distressing for both parents and children, but we are hopeful that with this technological intervention, we will help parents feel empowered,” says Jibb. “Zaynashae has been a pleasure to work with on this project, her perspectives are unique, and she understands the importance of patient engagement in this research.”
For Zé Jonathon Yearwood, being a part of the CIHR USRA program has shifted his perspective about the role of nursing in patient care and allowed him to see the untapped potential for nurses to advocate for their patients through research.
Like Boreland, Yearwood says the fact that this program was tailored specifically
for Black students is encouraging, especially considering that there is an under representation of Black students in the health sciences overall.
“I think it is important to see that our perspectives are valued in these spaces, I felt like I had a chance to foster my interest in research as a result of this opportunity,” says Yearwood.
Partnered with Associate Professor Samantha Mayo, a prominent researcher in hematological cancer survivorship, Yearwood worked on a project that assessed patients experiences of cognitive functioning and the ways in which cognitive functioning is assessed and managed in the clinical environment.
According to Mayo, who is also the RBC Financial Chair in Oncology Nursing Research, cognitive symptoms might include memory loss, difficulties concentrating or managing multiple tasks which can make returning to school or work more challenging.
As part of Mayo’s research team, Yearwood conducted observations of different cancer clinics particularly brain cancer clinics, and interviewed patients, caregivers, and clinical staff to understand how cognitive symptoms are screened for, and what kinds of services are offered.
“This experience has helped me to see that there is a systemic way to address issues in health care and has demystified the research process for me, I can definitely see myself pursuing further education as a result of this program,” says Yearwood.
For Mayo, having Yearwood as part of her research team has proved immensely beneficial. “Zé has been a fresh set of eyes noticing things as a student nurse that we might not have and asking questions that challenge our assumptions about this area of research and practice,” says Mayo.
Quinn Grundy an assistant professor at Bloomberg Nursing, shares similar sentiments about her research student Sarah Elkhalifa. Grundy’s CIHR funded project is examining
the extent to which private infusion clinics provide infusion-related care for people
prescribed high-cost biologic and specialty medicines.
“Sarah’s involvement in our project was instrumental in developing key collaborations
and furthering health system impact,” says Grundy. “It was her initiative and discovery of a report by Canada’s Drug Agency, (CADTH) that led to a meeting with scientists there and further discussions about the prevalence of private infusion clinics and
health system capacity and readiness around infusion-related care.”
Elkhalifa helped to conduct a scan that would map more than 500 of these private
infusion clinics across the country, and the results have shown that there is limited transparency across the board. Elkhalifa has also been involved in helping to write research protocols and developing infographics to summarize the preliminary
findings of this research.
“I’ve found this whole experience to be really rewarding. I’ve always been interested
in pursing research as part of my education and this opportunity has enabled me to
see how important knowledge translation is, and the impact it can have on health
policy,” says Elkhalifa.
In addition to being able to meet other people and learn more about the
collaborative nature of nursing research, Elkhalifa, who was also the President of
the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance U of T Chapter, shared that this research
opportunity for Black students is a positive commitment and incentivizes more students who identify as Black to be involved in research.