Student Research Spotlight 
Kaelin DeMuth (DO ‘23)

December 14, 2020

Kaelin DeMuth (DO ‘23) holds a bachelor's degree in animal biology and a master’s degree in microbiology and cell science from the University of Florida. He also holds a master’s degree in biomedical informatics from Nova Southeastern University. He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at PCOM South Georgia. DeMuth has been involved in research for over a decade and remains passionate about using research to improve patient care.

What did you study?

This research focused on reducing unnecessary hospital admissions/ER visits among high risk patients by using interreality care. This type of care included three aspects:

1. On-Site Care: Nurse practitioners and lab/X-ray/ultrasound testing at patients’ residence.
2. On-Line Care: 24/7 monitoring and intervention via primary care and specialty physicians.
3. A new HRC System with telemedicine, device, monitoring, protocols and management.

Our goal was to see how the incorporation of standard healthcare practices can be supplemented by telehealth in the prevention of admission, readmission or ER visits during the traditional 30-90 day follow-up window.

Duxlink Health and PCOM South Georgia researchers included myself; Julio Llanga, MD; Will Brewster (DO ‘23); Michael Shen, MD and Marla Golden, DO ‘88.

What prompted you to pursue research?

It is very important to me that I stay committed to investigating how new technologies can enhance value-based care strategies. My career goal is to become a value-based cardiologist who creates new care models through the application of new technologies and strong investigative outcomes research.

I’ve been participating in research for ten years, and it all started at Cleveland Clinic Florida. The research we conducted focused on patient outcomes. Since that first research project, I’ve become very passionate about the data and analysis that can lead to improving quality care for patients in the most cost effective way possible. Being on the forefront of science is so important in the medical field, and I’m able to see how it impacts patient care in real time.

What experience do you have conducting research?

Before entering medical school, I wanted to expose myself to as much medical research as possible. During those ten years, I worked on a project at Cleveland Clinic Florida. I looked at the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidelines and studied whether single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) appropriateness criteria predicted long-term clinical outcomes. This research was accepted for an abstract and I was able to orally present the project at the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association.

What were your responsibilities in this research project?

I analyzed all of the data from Duxlink Health and partners, wrote the abstract (alongside Will Brewster (DO ‘23) and presented it to the American College of Physicians, where our research won second place.

What is the broader impact of your research?

Improving quality care for patients, reducing the costs for patients and providing value-based care for patients are at the forefront of this research. If physicians can maintain patient health and prevent them from getting to a critical point, they are improving the overall patient care. Our preliminary research has been able to show that stabilizing patients through interreality care can have short and even possibly long-term impacts for patients. Being on the forefront of this research enables me to provide the best care for my future patients.

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