The Stanford Thoracic Surgery Clinical Research Program uses a variety of health services research methodologies geared towards assessing the quality and effectiveness of thoracic surgical interventions for individual patients as well as population-based research. We have a multidisciplinary team which includes senior statistical support as well as faculty collaborations from the School of Engineering, Biodesign, Pulmonary Medicine, Plastic Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Medical Oncology.  Our goal is to integrate health services research into the advancement of thoracic surgical care emphasizing clinical outcomes, quality of care, and cost integral in defining best practices in academic thoracic surgery.

Current Investigations

Clinical Outcomes

Exploring the most effective ways to improve outcomes for patients with complex thoracic disease by reducing readmissions and medical errors, defining predictors of poor outcomes, controlling costs, improving patient safety, and reducing health disparities.

Translational Studies

  • Exploring ways to transform research findings into meaningful clinical interventions for improving outcomes
  • Emphasis on point-of-care interventions to optimize pre- and post-operative care
  • Intra-operative clinical studies using technical innovations to enhance the conduct of surgery and improve clinical outcomes

Training

We are committed to career development and training for the next generation of researchers pursuing health services research in the field of thoracic surgery.

To provide an avenue for investigators in training to acquire the skills, knowledge, and network needed to develop, execute, and publish research studies in the field of surgical outcomes and health services research under the guidance of a high-quality experienced mentor