Improving the efficiency of clinical data sourcing to maintain accurate and relevant information on Komuni, an application on Doctalk that supports Canadian patients with hematological malignancies.

Komuni is a mission-driven application focused on providing accessible, patient-oriented information on hematological malignancies. We plan to onboard a dedicated and curious medical student to join our team for a hands-on learning experience that merges academic research with public health education.

During this placement, the student will critically evaluate peer-reviewed literature across six key disease sites: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and Multiple Myeloma (MM). Guided by supervisors with expertise in oncology and content creation, the student will be responsible for synthesizing the latest clinical findings, translating complex medical information into concise, patient-friendly narratives. This process will involve in-depth analysis of the current treatment landscape, patient quality-of-life considerations, and emerging therapies. Through structured feedback sessions, the student will refine their ability to discern relevant information, contextualize it for non-specialist audiences, and communicate it in a clear, empathetic manner.

Beyond literature synthesis, the student will gain insights into digital health technology and patient engagement strategies, becoming familiar with Komuni’s user-centric approach. This includes attending interdisciplinary meetings to understand how clinicians, developers, and designers collaborate to ensure patients can easily navigate and understand complex data. The student will be encouraged to contribute original insights on how Komuni can continually evolve to meet patient needs—potentially shaping new patient-oriented features or improving current content presentation.

In return, this placement offers a supportive environment where clinical knowledge meets real-world application. The student will emerge with enhanced research skills, a stronger grasp of hematological malignancies, and a deeper appreciation for the value of educating and empowering patients. We look forward to partnering with a forward-thinking medical student keen to integrate scholarly learning with meaningful patient impact.

Faculty Supervisor:

Chai Phua

Student:

Partner:

Doctalk Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: