Research & Clinical Trials

Our research and knowledge translation activites mainly focus in the areas of thromboembolism, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung diseases. Our faculty hold external peer-reviewed grants and work with and advise the Canadian Patient Safety Institute, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Research

We have an active research program that includes a strong Respiratory Health Services Research component.

Our researchers conduct studies that produce highly relevant and timely evidence to promote successful knowledge translation and guide clinical decision-making and health care policy. Some examples of our recent work include:

• Measuring the burden of respiratory disease in Canada
• Determining the effectiveness and safety of different types of respiratory medication
• Studying comorbidities that co-exist with common respiratory diseases

Visit our research showcase to learn more about our researchers and their work.

Knowledge Translation

Faculty in our division are international leaders in the prevention of venous thromboembolism. Some examples of our recent work in this area include:

• Development and implementation of national standards of care for thromboprophylaxis which are assessed by Accreditation Canada in all hospitals in the country.
• Leadership of the Venous Thromboembolism Prevention (VTE) intervention of Safer Healthcare Now! (Canadian Patient Safety Institute)
• Leadership of a VTE collaborative which includes more than 25 centres from all parts of the country.

Quality Improvement Initiatives

The results of clinical trials, clinical practice guidelines, and knowledge translation efforts must result in improvements in quality of care. Currently, in the area of VTE, our efforts are primarily focused on closing the gap between knowledge and the implementation of this into the culture of patient care. Strategies we use include:

• Numerous educational activities - locally, regionally and nationally
• Providing consultation to Canadian and American government agencies, health regions and individual hospitals
• Mentoring of hospitals across the country
• Multiple quality improvement initiatives at Sunnybrook which serves as a system laboratory for testing change concepts