McMaster Pediatric Surgery Research Collaborative (MPSRC)

The MPSRC is comprised of 6 pediatric general surgeons, 1 pediatric urologist, and 2 research personnel.​​ In addition to the clinical workload, we are also a research-oriented service. We currently have multiple active clinical trials and retrospective trials being conducted. Due to our increasing research activity, we realized the need for additional resources to help with our initiatives, which initiated the development of the CURE program. ​The purpose of the CURE program is to provide ​clinical research experience and mentorship in a hospital setting for university students to learn the research process, and gain transferrable skills usable in future careers, while aiding the Pediatric General Surgery and Urology service to disseminate quality research.

CURE Objectives and Opportunities: The required time commitment for each volunteer is 6-8 hours per week for 6 months. Upon completion of the 6-month volunteer term, volunteers will be provided a letter of reference​. We provide volunteers the opportunity to assist with scholarly works outside of their CURE Program volunteer commitments. ​

Responsibilities of CURE Volunteers 

• Database work
  • Gathering data prospectively during clinic as patients are being seen
  • Entered live into REDCap databases
  • Screening clinic lists and ensuring no patients are missed
  • Auditing patients that have been entered
  • Assisting with export, cleaning and analysis of data (with supervision)
  • This is a very important task and is the foundation of many of our observational studies
  • Requires concentration, attention to detail and dedicated workspace
• REB document preparation
  • Each volunteer is responsible for completing their own REB paperwork during orientation to be added to studies
  • Assisting REB process for new studies and amendments to current protocols
• Conducting clinic follow up visits
  • Interaction with families and children to complete any necessary study completion documentation
• Preparation and presentation of projects for rounds
  • Opportunity to prepare and present current projects during weekly research rounds 
  • Valuable experience presenting for an audience of peers and superiors 
  • Feedback from multidisciplinary team
• Abstract participation
  • Outside of regular CURE shifts for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional performance and engagement in the program

 If you are interested in becoming a volunteer you can apply online using our secure form: CURE APPLICATION