Electives 2024: Reflections from Poppy Barnes and Cara Salt

12th September 2024

Every year, The Scar Free Foundation run student electives with our Partner Member Organisations. Our electives help students undertake a research project under the supervision of a senior clinician or researcher – a brilliant opportunity and a stepping stone to a scar free research career.

This year, we were delighted to fund projects for Poppy Barnes, Evelyn Wong, and Cara Salt. We are delighted that both Poppy and Cara have finished their projects, and Evelyn is just finishing up her analysis.

Poppy and Cara answered a few questions reflecting on their experiences.

How did you feel before getting started?

Daunted, nervous! I had some experience designing and conducting research for my undergrad and master’s dissertations, but this was my first large-scale project. I’d designed it with plans to publish from the very beginning, meaning it would be a lot more thorough than my previous research. I knew I had great support and supervision, but I also knew this would be one of the most challenging pieces of academic work I had done.

What was the most interesting thing about the process? Any stories to tell, or things from your findings that surprised you?

I was surprised that some variables, like caregiver’s existing scald prevention knowledge, for example, were already quite high at baseline. I wasn’t expecting that. Our sample was small, so it is hard to draw conclusions, but it would be interesting in the future to explore where parents and caregivers get this existing scald prevention knowledge from.

How do you feel now you’ve finished your project?

Immensely proud. So much effort has gone into this piece of work, and I am incredibly grateful for the guidance and supervision from everyone involved in the project. I feel I have gained invaluable research skills I can take forward in my career.

Are you planning on doing any more research projects in your future career?

Absolutely! I’m starting training on the Trent Clinical Psychology doctoral training programme this year – I’m already starting to think what my next research project will be!

What would you say to someone thinking about applying to an elective award from Scar Free in the future?

The elective award is a great way to provide an extra boost to your research, but also provides opportunities for networking, connecting, collaborating ,and disseminating your research to a wider audience. Nike say it best – Just do it!

How did you feel before getting started?

I was raring to go! I initially proposed this project to my supervisor in November 2023, and I made sure that I had already starting collecting contacts and access information before I sent in my application. So once I received the support from the Scar Free Foundation (and cut through the red tape!) I was excited to start the project properly.

This wasn’t my first research project, but it was my first experience at primary research with raw data collection. I knew it would be a totally new research experience.

My supervisors were excellent throughout the project and their continued encouragement settled my nerves! I felt some trepidation of completing the data extraction within the eight week timeframe, but mainly I was just keen to begin!

What was the most interesting thing about the process? Any stories to tell, or things from your findings that surprised you?

Our project hit a big road block within our first two weeks with lack of data access (despite extensive planning.) On reflection, it taught me to always keep an open mind – you cannot predict the problems a project will face and sometimes the best solution is to pause and take a step back to reassess. It’s a cliché but every road block is a new opportunity to develop and find stronger solutions!

I really enjoyed being able to work with the whole MDT and take advice from every team member to help keep the project moving forward. This research would not have reached completion without the support of all the admin team, nurses and physiotherapist from the Regional Burns Team – whom I thank!

How do you feel now you’ve finished your project?

Now I have finished the research project I’m keen to share our findings with the world!

My research project aims were to define the timeline for scars to mature: we have done that! Furthermore, we have been able to produce a formula which would allow clinicians to predict scar maturation based upon patient characteristics. The mathematic concept will allow clinicians to tailor personalised treatment plans to patients. I’m so excited to share this in the wider literature.

Are you planning on doing any more research projects in your future career?

As with all research, I’ve finished my project with more unanswered questions I never considered! So I am excited to continue my research journey and find solutions within scar management.

What would you say to someone thinking about applying to an elective award from Scar Free in the future?

I am extremely grateful for the support the Scar Free Foundation has provided to myself and the research project.

I would encourage any student to try some aspect of research. Research can be arduous but it’s incredibly rewarding, and having the support of an world-renowned patient-centred organisation like the Foundation is an incredible opportunity.