Nicole E. McAmis won top prize in the research category for her study, “Assessing Health Care Provider Knowledge of Human Trafficking,” and Angela C. Mirabella developed the study, “Preferences to Improve Rounding Efficiency Amongst Hospitalists: A Survey Analysis,” which was named the best in the innovations category. Each student served as a co-author on the other’s study.

“Human trafficking is a serious problem and health care workers are in a position to intervene,” said McAmis, a fourth-year medical student. “This study sought to determine the knowledge levels of health care providers who are most likely to be in direct contact with a victim of human trafficking.”

McAmis said she developed and distributed an anonymous online survey assessing knowledge of specific topics of human trafficking. The 6,603 respondents represented all regions of the country. Less than half the respondents (42%) have received formal training in human trafficking, while an overwhelming majority (93%) believe they would benefit from such training. Overall, respondents thought their level of knowledge of trafficking was average to below average.

For her study, “Preferences to Improve Rounding Efficiency Amongst Hospitalists: A Survey Analysis,” Mirabella said she surveyed, hospitalists on preferred practices that they believe make them more efficient while doing their rounds.

“Rounding can be a dynamic process as hospitalists have multiple ways of checking on their patients, receiving and making pages, setting up consults, documenting, etc.,” said Mirabella, a third-year medical student. “The analysis of these findings may help provide insight or next steps toward the development of best practices that hospitalists may use to maximize efficiency while rounding.”

Dr. Bruce Koeppen, dean of the School of Medicine, said, “We at Netter are extremely proud of Nicole and Angela, and the research they have conducted. To have their hard work recognized in this way is truly and honor and speaks to the importance of their findings.”

Each student received a $400 scholarship from the Society of Hospitalist Medicine as well as automatic acceptance to the SHM annual conference’s virtual RIV poster competition.

Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine