Evaluative Clinical Sciences

Administrative Assistant: Sally Ganesh, Division of GIM
Phone: 416-480-4290
Fax: 416-480-4563
Room: C410
Email: Sally.Ganesh@sunnybrook.ca 

Education:

• AB, 1994, Biology, Harvard College, Harvard University, USA
• M.St., 1995, Research Methods in Modern Languages, Magdalen College, University of Oxford, UK
• D.Phil., 1997, Modern Languages (Literature), Magdalen College, University of Oxford, UK
• MD, 2001, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
• M.Ed., 2007, Health Professions, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada

Appointments and Affiliations:

• Associate scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Integrated Community Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Associate staff physician, division of general internal medicine, department of medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Clinician/educator-researcher, The Wilson Centre, University Health Network/University of Toronto
• Assistant professor, faculty of medicine, University of Toronto

Research Summary:

Dr. Kuper's current research program addresses the origins and history of the field of medical education research and the effects of that history (e.g., sociohistorical factors and the struggle for legitimacy between disciplines and methods) on the definition of legitimate knowledge production within this field. She is also interested in specific effects of the currently accepted knowledge production modalities on the legitimacy of particular subject areas within mainstream medical education research, as well as in the potential effects of broadening the field's legitimate methodologies on medical education research and medical education practice.

Dr. Kuper also has an interest in the medical humanities, both as an understudied pedagogical resource and as a potential point of intersection with non-traditional avenues (e.g., cultural theory) for exploring research questions that are relevant to educators and clinicians. She is involved in publications and knowledge translation activities designed to enhance clinicians' understanding of qualitative research in health care and related research.

Selected Publications:

See current publications list at PubMed.

1. Kuper A, Lingard L, Levinson W. 'Critically Appraising Qualitative Research'. BMJ 337 (7671): 687-9, 20 September 2008 (sixth of a series of six peer-reviewed articles commissioned by the BMJ; series co-editor)
2. Kuper A, Reeves S, Levinson W. 'An Introduction to Reading and Appraising Qualitative Research'. BMJ 337 (7666): 404-7, 16 August 2008 (first of a series of six peer-reviewed articles commissioned by the BMJ; series co-editor)
3. Kuper A, Reeves S, Albert M, Hodges BD. 'Assessment: Do We Need to Broaden Our Methodological Horizons?' Med Educ 41 (12): 1121-3, December 2007
4. Kuper A. 'The Intersubjective and the Intrasubjective in the Patient-Physician Dyad: Implications for Medical Humanities Education'. Med Humanit 33 (2): 75-80, December 2007
5. Kuper A. 'Literature and Medicine: A Problem of Assessment'. Acad Med 81 (10 Supp): S128-37, October 2006