Hip & Knee Research
Hip & Knee Research
Hip & Knee Research
Hip & Knee Research
Research Projects
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South Campus Research Unit for Bone and Soft Tissue
general orthopaedics & trauma
Completed studies
EXPO
The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB24-0788)
Study Overview
Experience of Patients in Orthopaedic Outpatient Clinics Based on Time of Follow Up
Though patient experiences in outpatient clinics have been studied extensively, there is very limited research on patient satisfaction based on the time of day of their appointment. The potential correlation between the perceived level of physician empathy and appointment time is also not represented in literature. Understanding the patients' experience and factors influencing this experience is of the utmost importance to improving the standard of care that patients receive and their overall satisfaction.
This study aims to explore the relationship between physician empathy and the time of day in orthopaedic outpatient clinics and understand how patient experiences are impacted by various factors including clinic scheduling and appointment time.
Current Status
Completed and in the process of publication.
Lead Principal Investigator
FROST 2.0: Factors Predicting Orthopaedic Trauma Volumes -
A Validation Study
The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB18-0777)
Study Overview
Factors Predicting Orthopaedic Trauma Volumes, Validation of Model
Our previous research (FROST 1.0, see below) established a model to predict orthopaedic trauma volumes based on weather and time of year. Winter and summer seasons were proven busy times of the year, and ice and snow were highly predictive of increased trauma surgeries.
We hypothesize that failure to account for and accommodate greater trauma volumes is directly responsible for the increased after-hours surgery and increased patient wait times we observed. After-hours surgery and prolonged surgical wait times can lead to worse patient outcomes, increased staff burnout, and more system expenses.
The purpose of FROST 2.0 is to validate our model for predicting orthopaedic trauma volumes using multiple data sets. Using our previously established model we will evaluate orthopaedic trauma volume in response to different weather and seasonal conditions in both Edmonton and Calgary.
We aim to provide additional evidence to health care administrators of the significant impact weather and time of year has on orthopaedic trauma volume. We suggest a re-distribution of operating room times to accommodate orthopaedic trauma during busy times of the year (winter and summer), and more operative time available for elective surgery during quiet times of the year (spring and fall). This has the potential to reduce surgeon and operative staff burnout, improve patient outcomes, and decrease overall system cost.
Current Status
Completed and published in Injury.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2023.111111
Lead Principal Investigator
The Slip and Fall Index: Assessing the Risk of Slipping and Falling On Ice
The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB18-0777)
Study Overview
Factors Predicting Orthopaedic Trauma Volumes, Slip and Fall Index
The rate of hospitalization resulting from slip and fall accidents on ice in Alberta is the second highest in Canada, nearly four times higher than that of British Columbia. With falls being the leading cause of unintentional injuries for all age groups, the consequence of these injuries significantly burdens the Canadian healthcare system. The primary objective of this study was to create an index to alert the public of slippery outdoor conditions and promote pedestrian safety.
Emergency department (ED) visits to the four major adult hospitals in Calgary over an 11-year period were filtered based on a fall due to ice or snow mechanism of injury. This data was then compared with information from the Environment Canada weather station at Calgary International Airport and Alberta Road Weather Information sensors. Resultant findings showed that January, February, and March had the highest incident of ED presentations due to slip and fall on snow/ice. These three months were predicative of significantly increased presentations and accounted for over half of all presentations throughout the year.
Data collected from this study was then used to create a Slip and Fall Index (SFI) capable of predicting ER presentations due to fall on snow/ice. Findings of this study may pave the way for educational measure to be put in place to prevent slip and fall injuries and decrease the load they place on individuals and the healthcare system.
Current Status
Completed. Published in Canadian Journal of Public Health
https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-024-00855-z
Lead principal investigator
Dr. Neil White
Orthopaedic Trauma on the Weekend: Longer Surgical Wait Times and Increased After-hours Surgery
The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB18-0777)
Study Overview
Factors Predicting Orthopaedic Trauma Volumes, Weekends vs Weekdays
Orthopaedic trauma does not present in a linear fashion. Fluctuations in trauma volumes, after-hours surgery and surgical wait times impact orthopaedic surgeons and patients. There is little research focusing on how surgical trauma volumes change throughout the week. This study investigated the relationship between day of the week and surgical orthopaedic trauma volumes, after-hours surgery, and wait times for orthopaedic trauma patients.
Weekends were associated with increased surgical wait times despite decreased surgical trauma volumes. Surgical orthopaedic trauma volumes were elevated on weekdays and decreased on weekends. With a lack of dedicated trauma resources on the weekend, a significant increase in after-hours surgery and surgical wait times was identified following surgical volumes peaking on Thursday and Friday. We suggest adapting resource allocation to reflect surgical volumes. Dedicated weekend orthopaedic trauma resources or an adaptable schedule during increased orthopaedic trauma have the potential to ease this bottleneck, improve patient care, and decrease hospital costs.
Current Status
Completed and published in Injury.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2022.03.010
Lead Principal Investigator
FROST 1.0: The Effect of Weather Patterns and Seasonal Factors on Orthopaedic Trauma Volumes
The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB18-0777)
Study Overview
Factors Predicting Orthopedic Trauma Volumes (FROST)
Orthopaedic surgeons often speculate how weather and season impact the nature and volume of surgical orthopaedic trauma; however, prior to this study, little evidence had existed to support these claims. Our most experienced research assistant, Martina Vergouwen set out to establish this relationship between weather variables and the impact it has on orthopaedic medical care.
Surgical orthopaedic trauma cases between January 1 of 2008 to December 31 of 2018 were retrospectively reviewed at four major adult hospitals in Calgary, Alberta. Weather variables for each day was collected using Government of Alberta Environmental Sensing Systems (ESS) and Environment Canada weather stations (CALGARY INTL’A). Our results showed that ice or snow on the ground two days prior was predictive of increased orthopaedic trauma volumes. Furthermore, our analysis concluded that orthopaedic trauma volumes increased in the winter and summer seasons and decreased during the spring and fall. Finally, surgical wait times also increased in the summer and winter months.
These results have critical implications on resource allocation in health care. Our data provides a compelling argument for a restructuring of resources to accommodate predicted influxes and nulls of orthopaedic trauma volume during specific times of year and weather variables.
Current Status
Completed and published in Injury.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2021.02.076
Lead Principal Investigator
Dr. Neil White
Scaphoid Imaging Study: Determination of Scaphoid Union- Are we as good as we think?
The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB15-2967)
Study Overview
Scaphoid fracture treatment is heavily reliant on the interpretation of diagnostic images. Traditionally, plain film X-ray images have been used to diagnose scaphoid fractures and assess the extent of healing.
With the advancement of 3D imaging technology, leading to the increased use of CT, the method of communicating scaphoid fracture healing has shifted from categorical descriptions to percentage of cortical bridging across the fracture site. Scaphoid fractures which fail to heal are categorized as scaphoid non-union. Left untreated, scaphoid non-unions have a natural history of developing scaphoid non-union advanced collapse(SNAC) , where patients will likely experience pain, and progressively lose function in the wrist.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the value of X-ray and CT in scaphoid fracture management, and determine the extent of variation in image interpretation.
Current Status
Completed. Under review for publication.
Lead Principal Investigator
Dr. Neil White