1. Setareh Omran, MD Joshua Willey, MD Randolph Marshall, MD
Magic Wand Initiative
Setareh Omran, MD
Joshua Willey, MD
Randolph Marshall, MD

2. Physicians face problems in their medical practice on a daily basis, many of which are not directly addressed by available research.
Due to increased administrative work, patient load, and economic constraints, less clinicians are involved in problem-based innovation.

3. New educational activity to increase clinician involvement in problem-driven innovation and provide them with the skills necessary to solve a problem they feel passionate about.
“Magic Wand” Initiative - empower clinicians to identify and engage in research to solve well-defined problems faced in their medical practices.

4. If you had a magic wand to fix a problem, what would it be?
Adapted from MGH Department of Dermatology:
Distribute small “Magic Wands” to clinicians.
For 1 month, if a problem encountered in clinical practice sufficiently impassioned the participating physician, the problem was written down.
If you had a magic wand to fix a problem, what would it be?
Garibyan et al, JAMA Dermatology, March 2017

5. Held brainstorming meeting after hours, at which each clinician described the problems they encountered.
Brought up 30 list of problems encountered – half of which were either solved or greatly eased during brainstorming.
Smaller brainstorming sessions with individual faculty to determine the boundaries of practical solution, understand how potential solution could fit into the real world of medicine, and consider potential solution strategies.
Formed small targeted group of research faculty, scientists, industry leaders and experts in brainstorming sessions.
After team was assembled, the work of doing research to realize a feasible solution was started. Led by the clinician.

6. What are the next steps?
Month of March: While on stroke service, stroke consults, ANF and JNF, you can come up with 2-3 ideas related to problems encountered in real-time in clinical practice that intrigue you, or stump you as a clinician! Write them down on ___ paper.
Beginning of April: Brainstorming session involving the above residents and Setareh, Dr. Willey and Dr. Marshall. Try to go through all the list of problems, and identify 2- 3 that can be further investigated with potential solution strategies.
Month of May: Resident, as well as Stroke faculty, will meet with research faculty, scientists, leaders in field who could help do the necessary research to find a feasible solution to the clinical problem.

7. Can be QI initiatives or clinical investigations.
Help to identify problems worth solving that you,
as a clinician, feel passionate about.
Connect residents to skilled leaders in the field of
interest to help solve the problem!
Help “jump start” research ideas and make you, residents in clinical
practice, feel like your daily problems are being addressed!
Aim to do this 3-4 times in next year.

8. Questions?