Surgery Research Nodes

Node 1: Big Data/ICES 

ICES is a beacon for population based research going on in Department of Surgery (DOS) and Western. The ICES scholars program and research output has had excellent success but requires new momentum to carry it forward as external funding will soon become a challenge.

Research Areas that would be Included in this Node:

  • Health services planning and evaluation
  • Population based outcomes research

Recipients of the 2019 Big Data/ICES Node Grants:  Dr. Blayne Welk

Primary Node Members:  Dr. Joseph Chin, Dr. Sumit Dave, Dr. Stephen Pautler, Dr. Blayne Welk
Secondary Node Members: Dr. Jeremy Burton, Dr. Jeffrey Campbell, Dr. Nicholas Power, Dr. Hassan Razvi, Dr. Alp Sener, Dr. Peter Wang

 

Node 2: Surgical Education Research - Node Co-Chair: Dr. Peter Wang, Urology 

CERI Centre for Education Research & Innovation (CERI) is already an established, but underutilized entity within the DOS. Their group is very successful with a multitude of clinical projects. Our opportunity is to expand upon their established success and bring in other partners to strengthen and broaden the scope of ongoing research projects.

Research Areas that would be Included in this Node:

  • Educational projects involving simulation, competency-based education, resident work hours, different teaching styles, resident burnout, fatigue
  • Educational projects, such as decision aid development, online material, handouts, models
  • Qualitative research projects such as exploring culture in the operating room, hidden curriculum, patient experience & patient expectations

Primary Node Member:  Dr. Peter Wang
Secondary Node Members: Dr. Jennifer Bjazevic, Dr. Gerald Brock, Dr. Jeremy Burton, Dr. Jeffrey Campbell, Dr. Joseph Chin, Dr. Sumit Dave, Dr. John Denstedt, Dr. Jonathan Izawa, Dr. Stephen Pautler, Dr. Nicholas Power, Dr. Hassan Razvi, Dr. Alp Sener, Dr. Blayne Welk

 

Node 3: Fundamental Sciences and Surgical Innovation  - Node Chair: Dr. Jeremy Burton, Urology and Microbiology and Immunology

This Node will continue to be a flagship for the DOS as most of the successful, externally funded ongoing research projects within our individual Divisions are based upon laboratory/bench research. Creating an environment which brings together basic science laboratories and biotechnology research facilities with clinical innovators will lead to accelerated translation to mainstream clinical and educational practice through close collaboration with the Innovations Fellows program and World Discoveries.

Research Areas that would be Included in this Node:

  • Basic science laboratory or engineering work through proof of concept in animal studies, human pilot studies, other innovations, therapies, surgical samples for basic science descriptive analysis

Recipients of the 2019 Fundamental Science & Surgical Innovation Node Grants:
Dr. Jennifer Bjazevic, Dr. Jonathan Izawa, Dr. Patrick Luke

Primary Node Members:  Dr. Jeremy Burton, Dr. Jennifer Bjazevic, Dr. Gerald Brock, Dr. Jeffrey Campbell, Dr. John Denstedt, Dr. Nicholas Power, Dr. Hassan Razvi, Dr. Alp Sener
Secondary Node Members: Dr. Joseph Chin, Dr. Sumit Dave, Dr. Jonathan Izawa, Dr. Stephen Pautler, Dr. Peter Wang, Dr. Blayne Welk

 

Node 4: Quality Improvement & Patient Centered Research - Node Chair: Dr. Nicholas Power, Urology 

This area of research which includes quality assurance and patient outcomes is becoming increasingly important with QBP funding models and Ministry of Heath metrics on outcomes from each of our Divisions. Many individuals within the Department of Surgery already carry out research in these specific areas but their expertise could be better shared and utilized within a larger Node so as to generate a greater benefit.  This Node becomes increasingly important as research is produced from the other Nodes and eventually leads to the bedside.  Working with new partners as well as the Innovation Fellows program, ideas should eventually be guided into this Node.

Research Areas that would be Included in this Node:

  • Prospective or observational studies involving patients or control human participants in health care setting (primary, tertiary, long-term, home care, community care etc.)
  • Patient rated outcome measure development
  • Cost utility and cost effectiveness studies
  • Patient surveys
  • The direct assessment of natural history, interventions, and outcomes considered important by patients and clinicians

Recipients of the 2019 Patient Centered Research Node Grant:  Dr. Jeffrey Campbell

Primary Node Members:  Dr. Jonathan Izawa
Secondary Node Members: Dr. Jeffrey Campbell, Dr. Joseph Chin, Dr. Sumit Dave, Dr. Nicholas Power, Dr. Hassan Razvi, Dr. Alp Sener, Dr. Peter  Wang, Dr. Blayne Welk