Research Information Night
Research Information Nightwas held on:Thursday November 30th, 2023
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"The aim of the evening is to showcase some of the best and brightest research occurring within the Department of Surgery and provide a conduit for students to get engaged in world class research. We are hoping to create a buzz about what is happening within the Department of Surgery and at the same time highlight and illustrate potential collaborative projects."
- Dr. Micheal Dunbar, Director of Research
RESEARCH REPRESENTATIVES:
NATIONAL SURGICAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) is a nationally validated, risk-adjusted, outcomes-based program designed to measure and improve the quality of surgical care. NSQIP is a data-drive, outcomes-based program to measure and improve the quality of surgical care. The prevalence of various surgical outcomes, such as surgical site infection (SSI) and urinary tract infection (UTI), are measured using statistical models developed by ACS.
Over 500 American hospital, approximately 100 Canadian hospitals, and several international hospitals participate in the program. Surgical outcome data are collected by trained data abstractors at each hospital (called Surgical Clinical Nurse Reviewers in NS Health). Data are collected through review of clinical documentation and interview with patients 30 days after disharge. In NS Health, 11 hospitals currently participate in NSQIP. Together, these 11 hospitals constitute the Nova Scotia Collaborative, which allows for an aggregate picture of Nova Scotia's performance across all 11 hospitals. Likewise, many of the Canadian hospitals, including our 11 in NS, have agreed to form the Canadian Collaborative, in order to better understand Canada's overall performance.
DIVISION OF NEUROSURGERY AND SPINE PROGRAM
Research is foundational to our mission. Research teams within the Division of Neurosurgery carry out leading-edge research in several areas including brain tumours, traumatic brain injury, injury prevention, neuro-modulation, cerebrovascular disease and technology-based innovations in neurosurgical education. The Spine Program, a collaboration between the Divisions Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics, focuses on spinal cord injury, and enhancing the delivery of surgical care. As such, our research involves data-driven, registry-based patient-reported functional outcomes. Measuring changes in quality of life after surgery also allows for an understanding of the cost-effectiveness of the treatments we provide. Technology adoption has always been ubiquitous within Neurosurgery and Spine and affords an opportunity to transform and advance the care we deliver. Lastly, the Anthropocene climate crisis will have a significant impact upon us all. Developing sustainable solutions to maintain a high-quality standard of care for patients while being cognizant of our impact on the planet is an emerging research focus for us.
We believe that research and innovation ultimately lead to better patient care. Adopting a bedside-to-bench-to-bedside approach presents exciting opportunities to develop meaningful translational projects, with the goal to impact clinical trials. We look forward to meeting you, sharing our work in more detail and discussing opportunities for future collaborations.
DALHOUSIE OTOLARYNGOLOGY - HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
Please join us as we showcase opportunities for research in our Division. Our research portfolio includes a variety of overarching themes, including shared decision making, environmental impact of surgical care, patient perspectives and quality of life, treatment choices and quality improvement. The research in our division has led to presentations at local, national and international meetings, and publications in peer-reviewed academic journals. There are plenty of opportunities for collaboration and we look forward to discussing our research program!
ROBOTICS IN SURGERY
Over the last year, Orthopaedic robotic surgery continued to offer many benefits to patients. The improved predictability of the surgical experience is also believed to reduce the likelihood of a second surgery and may allow more patients to avoid a more invasive total knee replacement if a partial knee replacement is possible. For this reason, the primary objective of the Orthopaedic Robotics Research is to optimize person-specific joint function based on objective biomechanic metrics after knee arthroplasty by enabling robotic surgery to be customized to the person’s anatomy and function.
As part of our research, in collaboration with Dalhousie University’s School of Biomedical Engineering, we’ve acquired innovative technology to assist our research, including a motion capture system, physical activity sensors, and 3D anatomical modelling software. This, in addition to traditional patient-reported and clinical assessments, offers a holistic view of how a patient’s condition changes over time. Our research team’s objectives work together to create a patient-tailored approach to clinical and surgical care and will help optimize the surgical robotic system to meet the unique needs of each patient. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the future of healthcare – visit our research table & see the MAKO SmartRoboticsTM Orthopaedic Robot today!
CLINICAL SCIENCE
The Department of Surgery has a number of surgeon-scientists involved in basic discovery science in addition to their clinical research. The breadth of research areas covered by these researchers provides new knowledge to bridge the basic science and translational questions necessary to provide Nova Scotians with the best health care.
Cancer: Dr. Alison Wallace research ocus is on identifying the molecular mechanisms by which environmental exposures such as radon and smoke, promote the development of lung cancers. Dr. Carmen Giacomantonio research focuses on immune modulation of melanoma and other cancers.
Immunity/Transplant: Dr. Michael Bezuhly research utilizes preclinical models to understand how the immune system can be harnessed to improve graft survival. Dr. Boris Gala-Lopez research focuses on understanding how we can improve the survival and integrity of transplanted organs.
Neuroscience: Dr. Sean Christie research uses preclinical animal models to identify novel biomarkers to identify biomarkers that are linked the severity of CNS injury. Dr. Adrienne Weeks research focuses on identifying molecular pathways glioblastoma tumors utilize to survive and proliferate. Dr. James Fawcett is a non-clinical researcher uses preclinical animal models along with cellular and molecular approaches to identifying how axons grow and connect to form spinal circuits that control locomotion.
DALHOUSIE ORTHOPEDIC RESEARCH: INNOVATION, COLLABORATION AND ADVANCING CARE: The Division of Orthopedic Surgery at Dalhousie University is consistently generating world class research! Our surgeons have been publishing in high impact journals and have presented their work globally. Our sub-specialty research teams include Sports Medicine, Upper Extremity, Foot & Ankle, Pediatrics, Spine, Trauma, Tumour and of Course Arthroplasty that are leading the way with various research projects. The Orthopedic research teams members are inclusive with undergrads, graduates, medical students, residents, and fellows alike working together to provide answers to clinical care and basic science research questions.
Orthopedic research has a history and continues to be very collaborative including strong research connections with Biomedical Engineers, Allied Healthcare Professionals and Basic Scientists. These collaborations are global as well as local providing team members opportunities to travel for research collaboration and dissemination. Some of our current research areas include outcome studies in arthritis, tendon & ligament injury, trauma, deformity correction, and Robotics. Our research environment put you right at the frontline of orthopedic care in patient care clinics and operating rooms where our data is generated.
THE DALHOUSIE GENERAL SURGERY RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE (GSRC)
Representing Personnel:
Dr. Katerina Neumann (Founder, Colorectal Surgeon)
Dr. Richard Spence (Founder, MIS and Bariatric Surgeon)
Damsadie Hannedige (research coordinator)
Tongtong Li (research coordinator)
Dedicated to advancing surgical outcomes through collaborative inquiry, the Dalhousie General Surgery Research Collaborative (GSRC) is a collective of five surgeon-scientists within the Division of General Surgery. United by a shared vision, these professionals are committed to enhancing surgical care delivery through collaborative, outcomes-based research. This commitment is fortified by the GSRC’s utilization of a shared research support infrastructure, fostering a cohesive and robust foundation for their innovative pursuits. The GSRC embraces a culture of promoting cross-departmental and multi-center research opportunities.
At the GSRC table you will have the opportunity to chat with members of the team and to peruse a variety of current projects ranging from randomized controlled surgeon-lead trials, to large provincial prospective databases, and resident focused quality improvement research initiatives. GSRC invites students and residents with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for research to join their team and redefine the future of surgical care together.
THORACIC SURGERY:
Please join us to explore transformative research happening within the Division of Thoracic Surgery.
Thoracic Surgery commits to both clinical and scientific research – Shaping the future of thoracic care. Medical students, residents and graduate students are welcome, read more about our research and programs here.
PLASTIC SURGERY
Join us to learn about the numerous exciting research projects ongoing within the Division of Plastic Surgery! We are currently running several randomized controlled trials, prospective studies, retrospective studies, case series, and basic science discovery projects. Current research focuses include: clinical outcomes following hand and upper extremity surgery; novel strategies for improving wound healing and reducing scarring; patient-reported outcomes in gender affirmation surgery; psychosocial outcomes following breast reconstruction; development of plastic surgery educational tools; and factors contributing to post-operative return to the emergency department. Our skilled surgeon researchers are working on numerous multicentre studies and regularly publishing in high impact factor journals. Trainees can expect to be involved in their research projects from beginning to end, with the opportunity to present their work at local, national, and international conferences. Our residency program heavily emphasizes research method development, a critically important consideration in training tomorrow’s successful plastic surgeons. With our engaged teaching staff, strong clinical research program, and mentor-based rotations, you’ll find plenty of opportunity for experience and support in our division. Read more about the Division of Plastic Surgery here.
RESEARCH IN MEDICINE: The Research in Medicine (RIM) unit is designed to instill a high level of critical thinking and create a culture of inquiry among our learners. At the end of their undergraduate medical training, graduates should see themselves no longer as consumers of knowledge but also as professionals with a responsibility to generate knowledge to advance their profession. The role of “Scholar” and being a lifelong learner are both CanMED roles and part of Dalhousie Medicine’s Entrustable Professional Activities. Ideally, graduates will be inspired to continue their involvement in research throughout their professional careers. RIM program at Dal
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY ANALYTIC TEAM: Utilizing linkages of administrative health holdings within Nova Scotia Health(NSH), the IWK Health(IWK), the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness(DHW) and the Atlantic Research Data Centre (ARDC) analytics staff in the DOS Research Office mine data with collaborative teams of clinicians and learners to identify surgical trends and patient outcomes for continuous quality improvement and research projects. Exploring trends in Emergency Department Rebounds and surgical incidence and outcomes by geographical jurisdictions. Read about the Departmental DATA projects here.
DALHOUSIE CLINICAL INVESTIGATOR PROGRAM (CIP) aims to develop the next generation of clinician research leaders by providing a formal postgraduate medical education pathway that fulfils the existing discipline requirements of the Royal College and incorporates structured, and rigorous research training. The program requires a minimum two-year commitment to research activity that involves completing a graduate degree program (MSc/PhD) or a postdoctoral fellowship program. Clinician scientists trained through the CIP will acquire the skills to achieve broad-based excellence not only in research but also as clinicians, supervisors/mentors, teachers, and academics in general. Research at Dal Medical School.
GLOBAL SURGERY OFFICE: Please join Stephanie, the Global Surgery Office (GSO) Coordinator and the dedicated surgical residents from the GSO executive team. Dalhousie proudly stands as the exclusive Canadian partner within the African Research Group of Oncology (ARGO) consortium alongside Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Our global engagement extends to impactful presentations at the ARGO Annual Symposium and the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) Conference. We're passionate about supporting initiatives like the ARGO/MSK Global Cancer Disparities Pilot Grant, providing vital financial and mentorship support for Nigerian surgeons conducting cancer management research within the ARGO community. Our office is committed to fostering collaborative research with surgeons in low- and middle-income countries, offering new funding opportunities for researchers at all levels of training, both locally and internationally. The GSO Research Initiatives.
DEMOCRATIZING DATA AT NSH
MDClone is a data analytics platform that can use multiple systems as data sources and allows users to query data while maintaining patient privacy through the generation of synthetic data. Synthetic data is essentially a matching data set with the same statistical properties as the original but none of the PHI. This allows our teams to extract trends and insights without needing to view any PHI as part of the process. Because of this we can give access to clinical teams who may be unable to get the same opportunity to use this data with PHI. This also allows us to provide access to data sets that have previously been difficult to obtain, and thanks to MDClone’s ability to display data in a longitudinal way we can see the time relation between different events.
As part of our MDClone pilot project we built a data lake containing elements from Inpatient stays, Emergency department visits and admissions, Inpatient surgical procedures, community pharmacy data, labs data, diagnostic imaging, and social determinants of health. Access to the platform was then given to a select group of clinical teams and they have been using the platform to evaluate its effectiveness and opportunities for future use. Stop by our booth to learn more and so a live demo of the platform! MDClone - The World's Most Powerful Healthcare Data Platform