Fourth-year medical student publishes in Anesthesiology Research and Practice journal
Fourth-year NEOMED medical student Joshua C. Harris recently achieved a significant academic milestone as first author on a peer-reviewed article published in Anesthesiology Research and Practice. The article, “A Systematic Review of Temporary Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Postoperative Pain Management in Orthopedic Surgery,” synthesizes the growing body of evidence on the use of temporary peripheral nerve stimulation (tPNS) as a nonpharmacologic approach to managing both acute and chronic postoperative pain following orthopaedic procedures. Drawing from randomized trials and case series, the review highlights that tPNS is generally safe and may reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption, positioning it as a promising adjunct within multimodal pain management strategies.
For Harris, this publication reflects years of sustained scholarly effort and interdisciplinary collaboration. As first author, he conducted the bulk of the literature review, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment and manuscript drafting. Throughout the research and writing process, Harris worked closely with Brian Harrell and Brook Wyers in the NEOMED Writing Center, refining the structure, clarity and rigor of the manuscript as it progressed from early drafts to final submission. Publishing as a medical student underscores Harris’s commitment to evidence-based medicine and highlights the role of writing mentorship in supporting high-impact student scholarship. His work contributes to timely conversations around postoperative pain control and opioid stewardship, areas of growing importance across surgical specialties.
A systematic review is a rigorous form of research designed to answer a focused clinical question by comprehensively identifying, evaluating and synthesizing all available evidence on a topic. Unlike narrative reviews, systematic reviews follow a predefined protocol and standardized reporting guidelines, such as PRISMA, to reduce bias and increase transparency. This methodology allows readers to assess not only the conclusions drawn but also the strength, quality and limitations of the underlying evidence. In medicine, systematic reviews often inform clinical guidelines, best practices and future research priorities.
Completing a high-quality systematic review is a time-intensive process that often takes one to two years, particularly when conducted alongside clinical training. The process includes developing a research question, registering a protocol, performing repeated database searches, screening hundreds of abstracts, extracting and analyzing data, and formally assessing study quality. Updates to the literature search are frequently required before publication to ensure findings remain current. Harris’s publication reflects sustained academic commitment and exemplifies the depth of scholarly work possible during medical school with structured mentorship and institutional support.
AMA Citation
Harris JC, Pierson CJ, Konda C, Jain NB. A systematic review of temporary peripheral nerve stimulation for postoperative pain management in orthopedic surgery. Anesthesiology Research and Practice. 2025; 2025:8477771. doi:10.1155/anrp/8477771
- submitted by Brian Harrell, Writing Center specialist