In this month’s newsletter, we would like to introduce PhD graduate, D-Yin (Indy) Lin from the College of Medicine and Public Health.
Indy’s recently submitted thesis, “Improving Perioperative Care and Patient Outcomes in Orthopaedic Surgery of the Lower Limb” received outstanding results from the examiners.
We asked Indy to share what led her to a PhD and why it is important, the most enjoyable and hardest parts of a PhD journey and what the future holds.
What was your research about?
We looked at orthopaedic surgery of the hip and the knee, and how we could improve patient recovery, safety and satisfaction with these major operations. The Pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is a novel regional analgesia technique that can be used to reduce pain after hip surgery and hip fractures. We published extensively on this, including the first randomised controlled trial on this now widely used regional block.
What was the topic of your PhD and why was it important to you?
Improving perioperative care and patient outcomes in orthopaedic surgery of the lower limb. We meet patients at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and we owe it to them to make sure our care is optimal, and to support them in every way we can to make it a positive experience.
Tell us about yourself.
I am an almost full time anaesthetist, specialising in cardiac surgery. And mother to two young children. Life if busy but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What led you to undertake a PhD? What inspired or motivated you?
Research is a team sport, and I was lucky enough to find myself surrounded by a wonderful and highly functional research group. The PhD was not planned but more the result of a natural progression.
How has your PhD helped you in the role you are in now?
I have a whole new appreciation of the depth of giving that patients do. Many unhesitatingly gave their time, health and energy to the research detailed in my thesis. I have to give a heartfelt thanks to all patients who graciously volunteered, and to those who did not for allowing me the privilege of meeting them.
What as been one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey
Once you’ve completed specialist training in your chose field, its easy to plateau. This introduced a new level of learning for me, which was very welcome. Doctors are lifelong learners by nature.
Have you published anything?
Yes, you can find all of my publications at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=D-yin+lin
What have you been doing since you completed?
Dr Brigid Brown and I have been fortunate enough to be nominated to convene the national conference of anaesthetists (www.asansc.com.au). This has been an adventure in organisation and we have met some excellent minds along the way who are speaking at it, like Professor Anthony Fauci and Dr Glaucomflecken!