Amisha Teeluck

I wanted to join the Summer Internship Programme to gain practical experience across different stages of the research process, including literature reviews, data analysis and producing academic outputs. As someone interested in both healthcare and research, I was keen to develop skills in critical appraisal, qualitative analysis and academic writing, while also building valuable networking and communication skills from experienced researchers.

One of the things that attracted me to the internship was the opportunity to better understand how high-quality evidence is generated and translated into practice. I wanted to see first-hand how research can influence healthcare delivery and patient outcomes, while helping me refine my own interests and contribute meaningfully to reducing health inequalities.

During my internship, I worked on a variety of tasks, including creating visuals, carrying out literature reviews, reviewing training scripts and providing feedback and ideas for presentations. I also helped to draft professional emails and documents for advisory boards. Having the opportunity to contribute to different aspects of the project helped me develop my organisation and time management skills, while improving my professionalism, creativity and written communication.
I particularly enjoyed creating visual materials, reviewing training scripts and writing professional correspondence. These experiences allowed me to contribute in different ways and showed me how important effective communication is within research projects and wider healthcare settings.

One of the most challenging aspects of the internship was conducting the literature review. While I found the work interesting and rewarding, there were times when I found it difficult to navigate article screening and develop effective search terms. Working through these challenges helped me build confidence in my research abilities and develop a better understanding of how evidence is identified and evaluated.

My long-term goal is to pursue a career that integrates research with healthcare practice and policy. I have a particular interest in psychiatry, which is one of the reasons I found the internship so valuable. Alongside my medical studies, I have been involved in the Mental Health Leadership Award (MHLA), and I am especially interested in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE).
The PPIE aspects of my internship stood out to me because they highlighted the importance of involving patients and communities in shaping research and healthcare services. In the future, I would like to continue being involved in this area and contribute to work that improves both healthcare experiences and outcomes for patients.

I would definitely recommend the Summer Internship Programme to other students. It provides a fantastic opportunity to gain independence in research, learn transferable skills from experienced researchers and build valuable professional connections. For me, it offered an insight into the real-world impact of research and helped me develop skills that will support both my medical studies and future career.