Dr. Craig Dale joins Sunnybrook’s Tory Trauma Research Program to advance critical care research
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto are pleased to announce that Dr. Craig Dale, RN PhD and Assistant Professor at the Bloomberg School of Nursing, will take on the new position of Scientist with the Tory Trauma Program at Sunnybrook. The position began May 1, 2020 and is for a term of five years.
In this position, Craig will continue his research to improve fundamental care delivery experiences and outcomes for Canadian adults treated in intensive care units (ICUs). Specifically, his research focuses on oral hygiene, pain, and communication in acute and chronically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation. He specializes in qualitative, mixed-method and patient engagement research approaches.
From 2016-2020, Craig was a CIHR-embedded scholar at Sunnybrook. His research has resulted in new discoveries about modifiable nursing difficulty delivering oral care, procedural oral pain measurement, effective preventative oral care regimens, and patient care experiences and priorities.
“Throughout his time at Sunnybrook as both an RN and a scholar, Dr. Dale has demonstrated a significant commitment to research in the area of critical care and his innovative and important work has significantly impacted practice and the outcomes of our patients,” says Dr. Robert Fowler, Chief, Tory Trauma Program. “We are very lucky to have Craig remain on our team.”
Dr. Dale’s work has resulted in much needed recommendations for a comprehensive 4-step oral care regimen to improve oral health indicators, reduce health care associated infections (HAIs) and mortality. He has been honoured with several awards, including the 2020 Scholarship into Practice Award by the Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN) in recognition of his impact on scholarship in nursing practice.
“I am truly grateful to have this opportunity to continue my research at Sunnybrook,” says Dr. Dale. “Nursing fundamentals supporting basic care (like oral health) are the root of positive patient outcomes, and I endeavor to make a meaningful difference in the experience of patients as well as care providers.”
The position was made possible by the Practice Based Research Institute (PBRI) at Sunnybrook, which is co-led by the professional practice portfolio and the Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI). The PBRI functions as an engine of discovery, through knowledge gained from practice-based insights derived at the frontlines of health care.
The position was made possible by Practice-Based Research and Innovation (PBRI) at Sunnybrook, which is co-led by the professional practice portfolio and the Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI). He will engage BScN, Masters and PhD students at the University of Toronto to ensure nursing science continues to grow and evolve in the Tory Trauma Program.
