Research Discipline(s): Health Services, Clinical, Implementation Science
Primary Title: Affiliate Scientist, Paul Albrechtsen CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute
Additional Titles & Affiliations: Surgical Oncologist, Shared Health; Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba
RESEARCH TOPICS
Cancer Surgery, Precision Oncology
"It is time to recognize that RESEARCH IS CARE."
- Dr. Rebecca Auer, Surgical Oncologist, The Ottawa Hospital
Research Summary
My research to date has focused on evaluating variations in healthcare and developing, testing, and spreading novel interventions to accelerate the translation of research findings into real-world practice. Examples of this work include:
- A low-resource team training intervention to improve teamwork in the perioperative setting that is now used by the American Hospital Association to deliver their TeamSTEPPS curriculum
- A risk-stratified patient decision aid for patients undergoing major abdominal surgery for cancer to improve the appropriateness of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis
- A clinical trial navigator program to improve enrolment in clinical trials by matching patients to trials based on their unique tumor characteristics
- The use of synoptic operative reports and feedback reports to improve the quality of cancer surgery
- An evaluation of the variations in cancer survivorship care in Canada and the United Kingdom to identify needs and gaps
- An evaluation of variations colorectal cancer care in Manitoba
The next phase of my research will focus on studying novel biomarkers to personalize cancer care beyond the selection of systemic treatments. We will use this information to develop interventions to rapidly translate this knowledge into real-world practice. Ultimately, my goal is to better predict who will benefit from cancer care so we can improve outcomes, increase the value of healthcare, and reduce waste.
My research to date has focused on evaluating variations in healthcare and developing, testing, and spreading novel interventions to accelerate the translation of research findings into real-world practice. Examples of this work include:
- A low-resource team training intervention to improve teamwork in the perioperative setting that is now used by the American Hospital Association to deliver their TeamSTEPPS curriculum
- A risk-stratified patient decision aid for patients undergoing major abdominal surgery for cancer to improve the appropriateness of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis
- A clinical trial navigator program to improve enrolment in clinical trials by matching patients to trials based on their unique tumor characteristics
- The use of synoptic operative reports and feedback reports to improve the quality of cancer surgery
- An evaluation of the variations in cancer survivorship care in Canada and the United Kingdom to identify needs and gaps
- An evaluation of variations colorectal cancer care in Manitoba
The next phase of my research will focus on studying novel biomarkers to personalize cancer care beyond the selection of systemic treatments. We will use this information to develop interventions to rapidly translate this knowledge into real-world practice. Ultimately, my goal is to better predict who will benefit from cancer care so we can improve outcomes, increase the value of healthcare, and reduce waste.
Goals
My primary research focus involves the study of biomarkers to personalize cancer care. I aim to use these findings to effectively and safely mitigate both the excessive and inadequate utilization of healthcare throughout the entire cancer control continuum, from prevention to end-of-life care and survivorship. My methodological expertise is in implementation science and health services research. I combine these two methodological approaches to develop innovative methods of designing and conducting research and facilitate the seamless translation of research findings into real-world practice.
Research Biography
I completed my Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Ottawa, my General Surgery Residency at the University of Manitoba, and my Medical Degree at McGill University. During my General Surgery Residency, I studied at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where I acquired a Masters of Public Health with a focus on improving health systems. I also obtained a Masters of Science in Surgery from the University of Manitoba through the Clinician Investigator Program, where I evaluated the quality and costs of colorectal cancer care in Manitoba. In addition to my clinical work as a Surgical Oncologist within CancerCare Manitoba and Shared Health, I dedicate an equal proportion of my time to advancing my research program. I am an Affiliate Scientist at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CancerCare Manitoba and an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Manitoba. My research is embedded within the Health Services Research Lab in the Research Institute, where I work with a collaborative, multidisciplinary team composed of trainees, clinicians, clinician-scientists and scientists.
Achievements
- Department of Surgery Resident and Fellow Recognition Award Nominee 2022, University of Ottawa
- Culture Changer Champion 2022, Canadian Federation of Medical Students
- Nancie J. Mauro Graduate Scholarship in Oncology Research 2019, University of Manitoba
- Resident Spotlight for Excellence in Research 2019, University of Manitoba
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research Master’s Award 2018
- Mindel and Tom Olenick Research Studentships in Medicine 2018
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Featured Publications
- Ivankovic V, Delisle M, Stacey D, Abou-Khalil J, Balaa F, Bertens K, Dingley B, Martel G, McAlpine K, Nessim C, Tadros S, Carrier M, Auer R. Beta-testing of a risk-stratified patient decision aid to facilitate shared decision-making for post-operative extended thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery for cancer. Can J Surg. 2023. (in press).
- Delisle M, Kung V, Alves S, Mohamed F, Cecil T, Moran B. Excellent quality of life for two decades after cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2023.
- Delisle M, Wang Y, Fitch M, Nagaratnam K, Srikanthan A. Variations in Emergency Service Utilization among Cancer Survivors: Results from the Pan-Canadian Experiences of Cancer Patients in a Transition Study Survey. J Oncol. 2023; 2023: Article ID 5056408.
- Delisle M, Fitch M, Nagaratnam K, Wang Y, Srikanthan A. Factors influencing cancer survivors’ experiences with follow-up cancer care: results from the pan-Canadian Experiences of Cancer Patients in Transition Study survey. Support Care Cancer. 2022; 30: 9559–575.
- Goodwin C, Velasquez E, Ross J, Kueffer A, Molefe A, Modali L, Bell G, Delisle M, Hannenberg A. Development of a Novel and Scalable Simulation-Based Teamwork Training Model Using Within-Group Debriefing of Observed Video Simulation. Jt Comm J Qual Saf. 2021; 47(6): 385-91.
- Delisle M, Pradarelli JC, Panda N, Haynes AB, Hannenberg AA. Methods for Scaling Simulation-Based Teamwork Training. BMJ Qual Saf. 2020; 29: 98-102.
- Delisle M, Ward M, Helewa R, Park J, Hochman D, McKay A. Timing of Palliative Care in Colorectal Cancer Patients: Does it Matter? J Surg Res. 2019; 241: 285-293.
- Delisle M, Helewa R, Ward M, Park J, Hochman D, McKay A. The Association Between Wait Times for Colorectal Cancer Treatment and Healthcare Costs: A Population-Based Study. Dis Colon Rectum. 2019; 63(2): 160-71.
