SAEMF/RAMS Medical Student Research Grant - $2,500 and The David E. Wilcox, MD, FACEP Scholarship - $1,250

"Effects of Cardiac Monitoring in Perceived Stress of Unexplained Syncope Patients (ECMIPS)"

Although FDA-approved and widely used in ambulatory clinics, the optimal use of outpatient telemetry for evaluating unexplained syncope in the emergency department (ED) remains unclear, with significant variations in monitoring duration, device types, and timing. This lack of consensus often forces patients to navigate the healthcare system for follow-up appointments before receiving cardiac monitors, contributing to diagnostic delays, unnecessary burdens, and increased uncertainty. Compliance with prescribed devices is also inconsistent, and the impact of these devices on patient stress, retention, and adherence is unknown. This ongoing IRB-approved, student-led study builds on the MUST-DO trial, which evaluates the benefits of 30-day mobile outpatient cardiac telemetry (MCOT) for diagnosing and managing unexplained syncope in the ED.

Recipient(s)

  • Carter Gottschalk

    Carter Gottschalk

    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

    "Effects of Cardiac Monitoring in Perceived Stress of Unexplained Syncope Patients"

    Carter Gottschalk is a third-year medical student at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, focusing on community outreach and patient-centered outcomes. He conducted computational drug discovery projects while earning a Bachelor of Science degree at Virginia Tech and worked as a clinical research coordinator at the University of Virginia, focusing on stroke and hemorrhage studies. His current work in the emergency department involves measuring perceived stress, adherence, follow-up times, and patient experience associated with cardiac monitoring devices for unexplained syncopal events. Through the Resident and Medical Student Grant and The David E. Wilcox, MD, FACEP Scholarship, he aims to characterize patient perspectives on unexplained syncope, a condition challenging to risk-stratify and associated with diagnostic uncertainty. This grant supports his qualitative and quantitative data collection efforts, helping to fortify his skills as a young investigator.