Serena Paul

Centennial High School, G/T

Independent Research
Mentor: Dr.Kalpana Murthy
 ABSTRACT
At the age of two, I was diagnosed with Pancolitis,
a rare type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which
affects the entire large intestine. During the early
years of my childhood to my early teenage years, I
often felt extremely sad due to the condition I had
been placed with, which led me to often
questioning, were the feelings I had felt during
my own illness normal, does every patient
experience these similar feelings? after remission.
This research examines the correlation between
psychosocial issues and inflammatory bowel
diseases in children and teenagers.
Ultimately, with the research conducted, I taught an
Anatomy and Physiology class how to properly
assess patients who may present symptoms of major
depression.
 RESEARCH QUESTION/HYPOTHESIS
If a child or teenager is presented with an
Inflammatory Bowel Disease, is the patient
presented with a higher risk of major
depression rather than someone who does
not show symptoms of this disease?
Before researching this topic, I believed
that a patient is at a higher risk of major
depression rather than a person who does
not present this illness.
 PROCEDURE
Research and analyze the main two types of Inflammatory Bowel
Diseases, Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Read scholarly journals about the psychosocial effects on a patient
who has an inflammatory bowel disease
Create annotated bibliography on sources used during research
Interview gastroenterologist, Dr.Kalpana Murthy at Lifebridge
Health
Create and write synthesis paper on Research
Teach Anatomy and Physiology students about Inflammatory
Bowel Diseases and the correlation between psychosocial issues.
As well as teaching the students about Inflammatory Bowel
Diseases and the correlation between psychosocial issues, teach
students how to be better health care providers in the future.
 BACKGROUND
An inflammatory Bowel Disease is a chronic
illness where parts of the stomach are
affected depending on the type of
Inflammatory Bowel Disease the patient is
presented with.
Crohns Disease is a type of Inflammatory
Bowel disease where the end of small bowel
and the first part of the colon are affected,
but any part of the digestive tract from the
mouth to the anus CAN be affected.
Ulcerative Colitis is a type of Inflammatory
Bowel Disease where inflammation and
ulceration takes place on the inner lining of
the rectum and the colon (large colon).
 RESULTS
On Thursday, April 27th, 2017, I taught a lesson on the correlation
between Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Psychosocial issues for
both third and fourth period.
For third period, I believe I made more mistakes as I was quiet
when talking to the students about my own personal story to giving
clear instructions.
I noticed many of the students had learned a lot of information they
may have not been aware of, but many of them also had told me
that I had lacked confidence as this was my first time teaching and
that I was quiet.
I used this criticism to present my lesson better as I believe I was
louder when talking, slower when presenting information and more
clearer when giving instructions.
From the students perspectives, the students had told me through
the survey that I should be more confident and to make more
contact, but overall told me that they could tell I was prepared on
my topic.
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
Throughout the entire course, I have learned a lot of
information about my topic and useful skills I can use in future
jobs. Some valuable lessons that I will take from this course
is..
When presenting to a class, be confident in your topic. You
know what youre teaching and youre passion about it, be
brave.
Do not procrastinate, use the time provided wisely and plan
ahead for each day.
Hard work DOES pay off, youll realize it eventually.
Overall, teaching a class was extremely difficult as they were
students who were in a higher grade than I am, I believe this
experience has benefited me as I will take the criticism the
students provided with me and use it in future classes and job
opportunities. By taking on a topic I have personally
experienced, I have learned more information about this topic
and can use it in the future.