Current Research |
SPIDER (Structured Process Informed by Data, Evidence and Research)
Local Team members: Dr. Mathew Grandy (PI), Dr. Fred Burge (Co-I), Sarah Sabri, Anders Lenskjold, Keri Harvey, Jennifer Isenor, Natalie Kennie-Kaulbach, Lisa Woodill, Matt Holland, Erin Leith, Juanna Ricketts
National team members: Dr. Michelle Greiver, Dr. Simone Dahrouge, Dr. Donna Manca, Dr. Marie-Thérèse Lussier, Dr. Mathew Grandy, Dr. Alex Singer, Dr. Fred Burge, Dr. Stephanie Garies, Jianmin Wang, Patricia O’Brien, Dr. Noah Ivers, Sumeet Kalia, Babak Aliarzadeh, Margo Twohig, Barb Farrell SPIDER: A Research and QI Collaboration Supporting Practices in Improving Care for Complex Elderly Patients is a national study led by Dr. Michelle Griever at the University of Toronto. MaRNet is leading the Nova Scotian arm of the study. SPIDER is a pragmatic randomized control trial aimed at deprescribing in elderly patients who are on 10 or more medications by employing quality improvement practices in primary care settings. The study is ongoing. |
Health Surveillance of Community-Dwelling, Person-Living-with-Dementia and Caregiver Dyads
Team members: Dr. Mathew Grandy, Keri Harvey, Sarah Sabri
National team members: Dr. Annie Robitaille (PI), Dr. Neil Drummond (CO-I), Dr. Stephanie Garies, Dr. Tyler Williamson, D. Himasara Marasinghe, Dr. Linda Garcia, Dr. Lynn McCleary, Dr. David Barber, Dr. Kris Aubrey-Bassler, Dr. Simone Dahrouge, Dr. Alex Singer, Dr. Sabrina Wong, Dr. Marie Therese Lussier, Dr. Kelly Pilato, Foued Maafi, Leanne Kosowan, Mary Helmer-Smith, Rebecca Theal, Fazle Sharior, Matt Taylor, Kelsey Yamaski, Dementia is a global challenge and there is a need for more large-scale longitudinal data on people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers. Few Canadian longitudinal studies have examined the experiences of caregivers of people with dementia, and fewer have followed dyads of individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. The purpose of this study is to collect longitudinal data on patients living with dementia and their caregivers (dyads) to understand better the health outcomes of these dyads over time. The de-identified electronic medical record data of the dyad will be linked in the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network. The study is ongoing and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023. |
Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Postpartum Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Cohort Study using Primary Care Electronic Data
Team members: Dr. Helena Piccinini-Vallis (PI), Dr. Pantelis Andreou (Co-I), Dr. Lynn Bussey (Co-I), Dr. Jillian Coolen (Co-I), Dr. Matt Grandy (Co-I), Leanne MacKeen (Co-I)
This study, led by Dr. Helena Piccinini-Vallis, is novel in Nova Scotia and Canada. It will pioneer the systematic extraction of prenatal data from primary care EMRs containing prenatal and postpartum data that represent the continuity of care during women’s reproductive years as is typical in primary care. Such a platform could contribute to a robust knowledge base in the area of maternity care, with the potential for regional (Maritime provinces) and national expansion and collaborations leading to improvements in the delivery of primary maternity health care. As a secondary objective, this study also expands the relatively unchartered territory of linking the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database with the primary care platform developed through this study. The study aligns with the chronic disease priority of Nova Scotia Health on many levels, as it pertains to the diagnosis and management of a precursor of chronic disease (GDM), the diagnosis of a chronic disease (type 2 diabetes), and the prevention of another chronic disease (downstream childhood obesity). Further, the results of this study are potentially of particular relevance to African Nova Scotians and Indigenous Peoples of Nova Scotia, who experience very disproportionate rates of GDM, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (including childhood obesity). |
Opioid Use
Team members: Dr. Helena Piccinini-Vallis (PI), Dr. Pantelis Andreou (Co-I), Dr. Lynn Bussey (Co-I), Dr. Jillian Coolen (Co-I), Dr. Matt Grandy (Co-I), Leanne MacKeen (Co-I)
This study, led by Dr. Helena Piccinini-Vallis, is novel in Nova Scotia and Canada. It will pioneer the systematic extraction of prenatal data from primary care EMRs containing prenatal and postpartum data that represent the continuity of care during women’s reproductive years as is typical in primary care. Such a platform could contribute to a robust knowledge base in the area of maternity care, with the potential for regional (Maritime provinces) and national expansion and collaborations leading to improvements in the delivery of primary maternity health care. As a secondary objective, this study also expands the relatively unchartered territory of linking the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database with the primary care platform developed through this study. The study aligns with the chronic disease priority of Nova Scotia Health on many levels, as it pertains to the diagnosis and management of a precursor of chronic disease (GDM), the diagnosis of a chronic disease (type 2 diabetes), and the prevention of another chronic disease (downstream childhood obesity). Further, the results of this study are potentially of particular relevance to African Nova Scotians and Indigenous Peoples of Nova Scotia, who experience very disproportionate rates of GDM, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (including childhood obesity). |
Upcoming Projects |
Evaluating Progressive Improvements on Audit and Feedback Strategies to Support Prescribers in Decreasing Antibiotic Use for Viral Respiratory Tract Infections
This upcoming study will use MaRNet data to provide primary care providers with feedback reports on their prescribing practices for respiratory tract infections. |
Understanding the Workload of Primary Care Providers in Nova Scotia
This upcoming study will use MaRNet data to better understand the volume and activities being performed by Nova Scotian primary care providers in the management of patients. |