Faculty of Medicine - Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Current	Evergreen Program Evaluation INVESTIGATORS: Martha Traverso-Yepez, Rick Audas, T. Montgomery Keough, Ann Ryan, Mike Wadden SUMMARY: The purpose of the proposed project is to explore the health and social outcomes of former Mill Lane clients and their current situation. Specifically we will explore and/or measure the following variables: · health service utilization, both self reported and actual · quality of life and general well-being · satisfaction with work and leisure time Whenever possible comparisons will be made between the current study and the results of the Mill Lane evaluation completed in 2003 (Neville et al, 2003). This will be accomplished by using the same instrument, focus group and interview questions, with slight modifications to reflect the different circumstances.
Current	What are the determinants of a successful and sustainable program delivery as it applies to child nutrition programs in Newfoundland and Labrador? INVESTIGATORS: Barbara Roebothan, Vereesh Gadag, Susan Green, T. Montgomery Keough, Daphne LeDrew, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: The project was initiated by KES as an investigation into the factors which contribute to the successful delivery of their programs. This project used an additive, multi-method staged Participatory Action Research design in which information collected at a preceding stage is brought forward to help phrase research for the next stage, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methodology. Thirteen focus groups were conducted across the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador in the fall of 2008, and were selected so as to represent programs with successful and less successful program delivery in different geographical areas of the province. The Telephone Survey of the general public was completed in the Winter/Spring of 2009. Analysis is ongoing.
Current	Learners and Locations: A Proposal for a Pilot Study of Where Physicians Train and Practice INVESTIGATORS: James Rourke, Susan Carter, Gerard Farrell, Veeresh Gadag, T. Montgomery Keough, Maria Mathews, Wanda Parsons, Sharon Peters, Asoka Samarasena, Steve Slade SUMMARY: As the geographic distribution of Canada’s population changes, there continues to be a lack of fit between where people live and where doctors practice. While there have been studies investigating factors that influence where physicians will practice (such as their rural origins or their rural training), these are largely retrospective and rely on participant recall and as such are subject to recall bias. The proposed pilot project aims to develop an analyzable database of geographic data about physicians during all stages of education and practice in Newfoundland and Labrador. The researchers then plan to demonstrate the usefulness of the database to stakeholders and policy makers and to facilitate its development and use in a national context. This database will allow researchers to examine the association between geographic origin prior to entering medical school, learning locations during medical education and eventual practice location following training.
2010	Privacy Protection and Biobanks: A Conjoint Analysis of Priorities and Preferences of Stakeholder Groups NVESTIGATORS: Daryl Pullman, Holly Etchegary, Katherine Gallagher, Kathy Hodgkinson, T. Montgomery Keough, David Morgan, Catherine Street SUMMARY: The goal of this project was to better understand the relative importance individuals place upon the privacy of their personal health information (PHI) as opposed to other personal or public goods. The research methodology involved the development of a “discreet choice task” in which participants were presented with various scenarios in which they had to decide which values were most important to them given the situations described. In particular, participants were challenged to weigh their privacy and confidentiality concerns against potential research that could benefit them personally, their loved ones, or society in general. They were asked to consider as well whether their preferences would change if the research was directed toward either a stigmatizing or non-stigmatizing condition, or whether they were required to give either blanket or specific consent for the future use of their biobanked specimens.
2007	“Sorry You Can’t Have That Information”: Stakeholder Awareness, Perceptions and Concerns Regarding the Disclosure and Use of Personal Health Information INVESTIGATORS: Daryl Pullman, Sharon Buehler, Larry Felt, Katherine Gallagher, Jeannie House, T. Montgomery Keough, Lucy Macdonald, Ann Ryan, Roy West, Angela Yetman SUMMARY: The purpose of this project was to assess stakeholder awareness, perceptions and concerns regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal health information with a particular emphasis on health research. Stakeholders included: Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Social Workers, Health Researchers, Database Managers and the general public. Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
2007	Survey of Provisionally Licensed International Medical Graduates INVESTIGATORS: Rick Audas, David Vardy, Ann Ryan, T. Montgomery Keough, Mark Wade SUMMARY: The primary goal of the study was to identify factors which influence the decision to stay or migrate for international medical graduates (IMGs) who have practiced in Newfoundland and Labrador under provisional licenses. A mail out survey focused on several dimensions of the IMG’s personal and professional lives, including: experiences prior to coming to practice in NL; communities in which they practiced in NL; orientation to practice, professional support and community support while in practice; family characteristics; timelines on date of initial registration and practice, and date if relocation (where applicable); career objectives; reasons for leaving (where applicable); and reasons for staying (where applicable). Funding for this research was provided by Service Canada.
2007	Tele-oncology Program Evaluation INVESTIGATORS: Maria Mathews, Ann Ryan, T. Montgomery Keough, Sara Heath, Nurun Chowdhury SUMMARY: This is an evaluation of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teleoncology Program (NLTOP) which was initiated in early 2003 to enhance the current delivery of services of the Newfoundland Cancer Treatment Research Foundation (NCTRF). The formal project evaluation was divided into two parts which were completed and submitted separately: Part A - a compilation and analysis of existing data; and Part B - interviews with 12 health care professionals who have used the Teleoncology system and analysis of the themes which emerge from these interviews. Funding for this project was provided by the NLTOP.
2007	A Review of the Health Status of the Residents of the Come-by-Chance Area INVESTIGATORS: Veeresh Gadag, Alison Edwards, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: The HRU was asked to prepare a report based on the available data on the health status of residents in the potential impact area of the proposed oil refinery location at Southern Head, situated between North Harbour and Come by Chance Bay, Placentia Bay. The sources of information used in this report include, the 1) Newfoundland Adult and Community Health Survey, 2001, Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency; 2) Statistics Canada Census, 2001; and 3) Canadian Institute for Health Information (5-year average mortality and morbidity data, 1999-00 to 2003-04; morbidity data for Canada for the year 2000-01). Funding for this project was provided by BAE/Newplan Group.
2007	A Review of the Health Status of the Residents of the Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights area INVESTIGATORS: Veeresh Gadag, Alison Edwards, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: The HRU was retained to prepare a report based on the available data on the health status of residents in the potential impact area of the proposed commercial nickel processing plant in the Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights area of Newfoundland. The sources of information used in this report include: 1) the Newfoundland Adult and Community Health Survey, 2001, Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency; 2) Statistics Canada Census, 2001; 3) the Canadian Institute for Health Information, mortality data (1999-2003), provincial morbidity data (1999/00 to 2003/04), morbidity data for Canada (2000/01), and congenital anomalies hospitalizations (1999/00-2003/04); and 4) Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (Live Birth and Stillbirth Systems, 1999-2003). Funding for this project was provided by INCO/Voisey’s Bay Nickel Company Limited.
2007	Public Attitudes Towards Harm Reduction Strategies for Injection Drug Use (Telephone interviews, St. John’s, NL) INVESTIGATORS: Diana Gustafson, Sara Heath, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: The purpose of this pilot project was to investigate public attitudes about injection drug use in general and the health needs of persons who inject drugs in particular, and public awareness of and attitudes toward harm reduction principles and local harm reduction policies and programs. It was designed so that public health decision-makers and professionals will be better able to design policy, programs and services that are supported by the public and meet the health needs of persons who inject. This project was funded by the Medical Research Foundation, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
2007	Referral Patterns for Neuromusculo-skeletal Conditions in Newfoundland and Labrador INVESTIGATORS: Bill Bavington, Veeresh Gadag, Laurie Goyeche, Ann Ryan, Roland Bryans, Linda Longerich, Mark Wade, T. Montgomery Keough, Nurun Chowdhury SUMMARY: A mail out survey was sent to physicians and chiropractors to document referral patterns, what type of informal and formal networks and referral relationships exist, assess the affect of referral patterns on the health professionals practice, and compare for rural and urban areas. This research was funded by the Newfoundland and Labrador Chiropractic Association, and Canadian Chiropractic Association.
2006	Needs Assessment of People who Inject Drugs, St. John’s NL INVESTIGATORS: Diana Gustafson, Fran Keough, Lesley Goodyear, Tree Walsh, Linda Longerich, Ann Ryan, Angelique Myles SUMMARY: The purpose of this needs assessment was to explore the extent and type of injection drug use in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, to determine what services were most needed and to identify the barriers if any, to health, health Services and harm reduction information in the injection drug use community. This needs assessment was part of a larger project called “Reaching Injection Drug Users in St. John’s, NL” funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The overall goal of the parent project was to reduce the risk of HIV and HCV infections among people who inject drugs in St. John’s. This portion of the project was funded by the Newfoundland and Labrador AIDS Committee (NLAC).
2006	“What’s Best for Baby”: Breastfeeding Practices Among Adolescent and Adult Mothers. INVESTIGATORS: Suzan Banoub-Baddour, Linda Longerich SUMMARY: The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes about breastfeeding influences, barriers to breastfeeding, and breastfeeding practices of mothers in the St. John’s area, and to compare results from adolescent and adult mothers. The project was funded by the Janeway Children’s Health Foundation.
2005	Burin Health and Community Needs Assessment, Telephone Survey Results INVESTIGATORS: Veeresh Gadag, T. Montgomery Keough, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: Upon the creation of the Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority (RIHA) in 2005 the Board of Trustees identified the need to complete needs assessments for all the regions within its new mandate as one of its strategic priorities. Using a population approach (e.g. the broader determinants of health such as health services, health and community problems, personal health and wellness, income and demographics) a telephone survey was conducted of households in the Burin peninsula. The results of the telephone survey were incorporated by the Eastern RIHA with the results of focus groups, Key Informant Interviews and available community data (Community Accounts) to produce the complete needs assessment. This complete report can be viewed on the Eastern RIHA website: http://www.easternhealth.ca/publicreports.aspx?d=2&id=107&p=51
2005	Findings from the Bell Island Telephone Survey: Part of Phase I, Bell Island Health and Well Being Needs Assessment INVESTIGATORS: Linda Longerich, Ann Ryan, Sara Heath SUMMARY: The objectives of this part of the needs assessment were: to determine the acute, chronic and preventative health care needs of the residents of Bell Island; assess their attitudes towards prevention, health and wellness; to examine the broad determinants of health for the residents; and to provide a baseline assessment of utilization factors which affect the health and well-being of the residents of the island. Funding for this project was provided by the National Research Council of Canada.
2005	Provincial Autism Pilot Project: An Early Intervention Study 1999 to 2003: Program Evaluation INVESTIGATORS: Linda Longerich, Ann Ryan, Sara Heath SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of early intervention treatments that reflects outcomes for child, parent, sibling and family and to identify critical factors for the development of services to families of young children diagnosed with ASD through implementation of the pilot project. Funding for the evaluation was provided by the Department of Health and Community Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
2005	Assessment of the Primary Health Care Needs in the Downtown Area of St. John’s INVESTIGATORS: David Allison, Linda Longerich, Ann Ryan, Geraldine Thompson SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to determine the community issues and health care needs of the residents in the downtown area of St. John’s . The report was prepared for the St. John’s Primary Health Care Project and funded through Health and Community Services St. John’s Region.
2005	Defining Public Health Capacity: Newfoundlandand Labrador Report INVESTIGATORS: Rosemarie Goodyear, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: This report is part of a study entitled “An Atlantic and Manitoba Perspective for a Path toward Developing Public Health Capacity”. It provided this province’s input into the development of a framework for national consideration that provides a snapshot of public health capacity throughout Canada . The framework developed from this project will be used to help educate, plan, collaborate, develop healthy public policy, and monitor progress towards achieving public health capacity appropriate to achieving the goal of public health in Canada . The study was completed with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the Office of the Voluntary Sector, Public Health Agency of Canada.
2004	Analysis of Focus Groups with Health Professionals and Women with Eating Disorders INVESTIGATORS: Ann Ryan, NatalieBeausoleil SUMMARY: This report is part of a study entitled “Development of an Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program for Eating Disorders: a Cost-Benefit Analysis”. This part of the study examines the views and experiences of people with eating disorders and their treatment needs. This report was prepared for the Eating Disorders Working Group and funded by the St. John’s Health Care Corporation.
2004	Provincial Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Communicable Disease in Health Institutions and Ambulance Services : “Back to Basics” INVESTIGATORS: Ian Bowmer, Marion Yetman, Beverly Griffiths, Joanne Baird, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: This report is a review and assessment of the facilities operated by the Newfoundland and Labrador ’s Institutional Boards for their preparedness to prevent and control communicable diseases and their ability to meet the challenges created by new emerging infections such as SARS. Funding for this project was provided by the provincial Department of Health and Community Services.
2004	Assessment of the Professional Practice Model INVESTIGATORS: Joy Barker, Mary Manolovich, Cheryl Faseruk, Olga Heath, Joan Davis-Whelan, Chris Murphy, Rick Seward, Ann Ryan, and Linda Longerich SUMMARY: This project is a follow up to the 2000 study {link here to below: “Professional Practice Model”} which examined the experiences of Speech Language pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Audiologist and Physiotherapists with the new Professional Practice Model. The present project broadened the study scope to include Clinical Dietitians, Psychologists, Social Workers, Respiratory Therapists and Therapeutic Recreational Therapists. The report was prepared for the Professional Practice Working Group and funded by the Health Care Corporation of St. John’s.
2003	Evaluation of Food Fortification with Folic Acid for the Primary Prevention of Neural Tube Defects INVESTIGATORS: Shiliang Liu, Linda Longerich, Kathleen Steel O’Connor, Victor Prabhakaran, Edward Randell, Linda Turner, Roy West SUMMARY: This study is phase two of a multi-site population based study to assess dietary and blood levels of folic acid in women of child bearing age and the elderly (the first phase took place prior to mandatory fortification, from November 1997 to March 1998. Phase two took place after fortification had been implemented for two years, from November 2000 to March 2001. Funding was provided by Health Canada’s Surveillance and Epidemiology Division.
2003	Women and Housing INVESTIGATOR: Linda Longerich SUMMARY: This report is a summary of available data on the status of women’s housing, education, income, employment and health in Newfoundland and Labrador. This project was funded by the St. John’s Status of Women Council / Women’s Centre St. John’s,Newfoundland and Labrador.
2003	Mill Lane Entreprises: "One Step at a Time" INVESTIGATORS: Doreen Neville, Michael Murray, Ann Ryan, Sara Heath SUMMARY: The objectives of this evaluation project were to: measure mental health outcomes for program participants compared to non-participants including symptom reduction, social enhancement and community integration; estimate costs of Mill Laneprogram delivery; estimate costs of health services to clients and non-clients comparing mental health outcomes and health services cost for client clients and non-clients. This project is funded by the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research. The Waterford Foundation, the Department of Health and Community Services, the Discipline of Psychiatry, Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Occupational Therapist Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
2001 - 2002	Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Newfoundland and Labrador -- "A Constant Struggle ..." [This is a pdf file - you will need Adobe Acrobat to view this report] INVESTIGATORS: Michael Murray, Patricia Canning, Ted Callanan, Cathy Vardy RESEARCH TEAM: Ann Ryan, Montgomery Keough, Sara Heath SUMMARY: The objectives are to develop a provincial model of services and programming for persons with autism spectrum disorders to achieve optimum health and well being for all ages from early childhood through adulthood. This project is funded by the Centre for Applied Health Research and by the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health and Community Services.
2001 - 2002	Impact of Regionalization on Governance in the Health System INVESTIGATORS: Doreen Neville, Steve Tomblin, Brenda Fitzgerald SUMMARY: The objective of this study is to review the process of regionalization in the health care system in Newfoundland and Labrador from the governance perspective. The project has been funded through the Centre for Applied Health Research.
2001 - 2002	Determining the Needs of Blind and Visually Impaired Aboriginal Peoples in Atlantic Canada INVESTIGATORS: Bill Bavington, Len Baker, Linda Longerich SUMMARY: This project is funded by the E.A. Baker Foundation. The objectives are to identify barriers to accessing vision related services and to develop and maintain effective program delivery to aboriginal communities in the Atlantic provinces. The results of this project will lead to better designed educational programs for preventing blindness and developmental of a culturally appropriate service model for aboriginal communities.
2001	Health and Literacy Action Conference CONFERENCE CHAIR: Michael Murray CONFERENCE COORDINATOR: Ann Ryan SUMMARY: A conference held in St. John's, September 6-8, 2001, to connect community partners and increase public awareness of the link between literacy and health. The conference aim was to disseminate details of important initiatives in the area of health and literacy and to provide conference participants an opportunity to contribute to a discussion of the issues. The conference brought together literacy workers, community health workers and researchers to share experiences and learn about recent developments.
2000	Transitional Rehabilitation Needs of Young and Young Adults with Physicial Disabilities INVESTIGATORS: Ann Ryan, Linda Longerich SUMMARY: This project is a cooperative effect between the Health Research Unit and the St. John's Health Care Corporation, Working Group for Transitional Rehabilitation Needs of Youth/Young Adults with Physical Disabilities. It involves development of a survey questionnaire, training of interviewer, and analysis and reporting of results for a telephone survey of young adults with physical disabilities throughout the province.
2000	Breast Cancer Genetic Testing Survey INVESTIGATORS: Robin Moore-Orr, Linda Longerich SUMMARY: A partnership project in a multisite study funding by National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative to assess knowledge and opinions about breast cancer genetic testing among women with first degree relations with breast or ovarian cancer.
2000	Professional Practice Model INVESTIGATORS: Ann Ryan, Linda Longerich SUMMARY: The Health Research Unit provided analysis, report and presentation material for a project evaluating the Professional Practice Model within the Health Care Corporation of St. John's. Disciplines studied were Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Language Pathology and Audiology.
1999	Attendance Management Study INVESTIGATORS: Veeresh Gadag, Jorge Segovia, Oscar Howell SUMMARY: A project funded by the Employers' Council of Newfoundland and Labrador to survey employers in the province regarding absenteeism and the need for effective attendance management programs.
1999	Needs Assessment for Grenfell Regional Health Services INVESTIGATORS: Bill Bavington, Sandra LeFort SUMMARY: A needs assessment conducted for Grenfell Regional Health Services. This project involves organizing and conducting community focus groups, key informant interviews, student surveys and a random telephone survey of people across the whole Grenfell region. The objectives are to determine the health needs and health resources of people living in the region and to offer recommendations to GRHS to assist in strategic planning for the future.
1998 - 2000	Folic Acid Fortification and Neural Tube Defects INVESTIGATORS: Roy West, Linda Longerich, Victor Prabhakaran SUMMARY: A study funded by Health Canada, to assess dietary and blood levels of folic acid in women of child bearing age and in the elderly. This study provides baseline values prior to mandatory folic acid fortification of flour and pasta (proposed summer 1998).
1998	Hibernia Offshore Telemedicine Project: Evaluation INVESTIGATORS: Bill Bavington, Sandra LeFort, Linda Longerich SUMMARY: An evaluation of the telemedicine link supporting interactive audio-conferencing, still image and digital sound transfer and video conferencing between the Hibernia oil platform nurses and shore-based physicians both on a scheduled and emergency basis.
1998	Community Health Resource Project: a study of the social and economic impact of HIV in Newfoundland INVESTIGATORS: Jorge Segovia, Ian Bowmer, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: A partnership project with British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. Consisted of face-to-face interviews with HIV positive persons in the province over a period of 9 months to establish a longitudinal database of resource use. Estimates of both direct medical resource use and cost and of the indirect costs (loss productivity, community and family costs) were assessed.
1998	Breast Screening Program Evaluation INVESTIGATORS: Robin Moore-Orr, Linda Longerich, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: The Breast Screening Program in Newfoundland and Labrador began in February 1995. The evaluation framework developed at that time included three types of studies: internal analysis of the administrative data, internal analyses of certain aspects of the program and external evaluation studies. This report give results of an externally implemented study to assess awareness and knowledge of the program by family physicians.
1998	Pre-Natal Nutrition: Baseline Data Study INVESTIGATORS: Robin Moore-Orr, Linda Longerich SUMMARY: Health Canada has recently introduced programs across the country to promote healthy babies and prevent neonatal health programs. These programs target low income pregnant women and provide nutrition and dietary education, support and nutritional supplements. To assess the effectiveness of this program, the Health Research Unit will gather information on a similar group of low income new mothers who have not received the benefit of the pre-natal nutrition program.
1997 - 2000	Multidisciplinary Service and Teaching Units INVESTIGATORS: Jorge Segovia, Roy West SUMMARY: The Health Research Unit, working with the provincial Department of Health and Community Services, will provide developments and consultation support during the formation of multi-disciplinary health service and teaching units in Port aux Basques, Twillingate and Goose Bay. The HRU will also provide a framework for evaluation of the project and participate in the evaluation process.
1997	A Review of the Health Status of the Placentia Area, Newfoundland INVESTIGATORS: Jorge Segovia, Roy West, Linda Longerich, Alison Edwards SUMMARY: The HRU was requested to prepare a report based on available data on the health status of the potential impact area for the Voisey's Bay nickel smelter in the Placentia area. During the last five years, the Division of Community Medicine has carried out three studies which provided relevant and recent information for this report on the health status of the target area. In addition to reporting information on illness and death, this report includes information on the demographic, lifestyle and social environment of the region.
1997	An Evaluation for the Better Hearing for Seniors Project INVESTIGATORS: Ann Ryan, Linda Longerich, Trevor Humes SUMMARY: The Better Hearing for Seniors Project is an intervention study designed to assess and improve the quality of life for seniors with hearing impairment. Trained volunteers visit seniors with hearing impairment to help with any problems with hearing aids and to encourage an active life style. The Health Research Unit evaluated 1) the effectiveness of the volunteer training and 2) the effectiveness of the intervention.
1996	Effectiveness of Chiropractic Treatment for Lower Back Pain Among Persons Receiving Worker's Compensation - A Pilot Study INVESTIGATORS: Veeresh Gadag, Roy West, Linda Longerich, Laurie Goyeche SUMMARY: The objectives of this study was to obtain an overview of the use of chiropractic services by Worker's Compensation and ultimately to determine the effectiveness of such treatment.
1996	A Needs Assessment for the Newfoundland Lung Association INVESTIGATORS: Sharon Buehler, Linda Longerich, Ann Ryan SUMMARY: Focus groups directed to the needs of persons with respiratory disease, teachers and health professionals were conducted across Newfoundland. Five hundred members of the public were surveyed by telephone about their knowledge and attitudes towards asthma and its triggers and their need for services and programs provided by the Newfoundland Lung Association.
1996	Institutional Services Branch Review: a review of services provided to its external customers INVESTIGATORS: Doreen Neville, Ann Ryan, Linda Longerich, Roy West SUMMARY: This project was commissioned by the Institutional Services Branch (ISB) of the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health to review services provided to their external customers. Given the large scale restructuring occurring in the health sector, the ISB was interested in hearing from health care institutions about their perception of services delivered to date and expectations for future services. CEOs and administrators of health care institutions were surveyed through guided interviews. Data was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The final report also identified areas for service maintenance, enhancement and revision, based on feedback obtained.
1996	Review of Services - Survey of Human Resources for Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Audiologists and Recreations Therapy Practitioners INVESTIGATORS: Ann Ryan, J. Squires, J. O-Dea, G. O-Keefe, G. Murphy, M. Tibbo, B. Head, J. Bautista. SUMMARY: This report is based on a survey of the education, work experience and current caseload of personnel employed in the five therapy groups throughout the province.
1996	Development of Child and Adolescent Health Indicators for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador INVESTIGATORS: Roy West, Bill Bavington, Bonnie James, Ann Ryan, Linda Longerich SUMMARY: This project was commissioned jointly by the Janeway Child Health Centre and the Children's Rehabilitation Centre. The objectives were to identify those indicators necessary to monitor the health status of the children and adolescents of the province and to create a report that includes the most recent information available. This report entitled "Healthy Children, Healthy Society"also includes recommendations for periodic review of the health status indicators and suggestions for possible outcome measures to consider for management of child health services in the province.
1995	Cholecystectomy in Newfoundland and Labrador INVESTIGATORS: Roy West, Ann Ryan, Bonnie James, L. Chard SUMMARY: This project was undertaken in order to review the rate of cholecystectomies in Newfoundland and Labrador and to study the introduction of laparoscopic procedures in comparison with the use of open cholecystectomies. These objectives were accomplished by a literature search for rates of cholecystectomy in Canada and elsewhere, by examination of Newfoundland hospital discharge summaries and by review of information received from a survey of Newfoundland and Labrador hospitals.
1995	The Newfoundland Cesarean Section Study: Follow-Up INVESTIGATOR: Robin Moore-Orr SUMMARY: A chart review of all cesarean sections in the province was used to determine the indications for cesarean section and compliance with consensus guidelines. Comparison with data from the previous study is provided.
1995	The Newfoundland Cesarean Section Study I, II INVESTIGATORS: Sharon Buehler, Robin Moore-Orr SUMMARY: Part I, charts of all sections performed from Oct 1, 1991 to March 31, 1992 were abstracted for indicators and reviewed against consensus guidelines by a panel of three expert obstetricians. Part II, all available literature on trends in cesarean section rates and methods to reduce rates were reviewed in 1995.
1994	Enhanced Cancer Surveillance: Pilot Study INVESTIGATORS: Sharon Buehler, Veeresh Gadag, Bonnie James SUMMARY: The initial case-control component of this project was designed to establish a system for routine collection of long-term residential and occupational histories and other risk factor information from selected newly-diagnosed cancer cases and control subjects.
1994	Newfoundland Health for the Year 2000 Project: A Review of Newfoundland Health Status INVESTIGATORS: Doreen Neville, Sharon Buehler, Bonnie James, Alison Edwards SUMMARY: All available administrative data on health indicators for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador were reviewed and assessed by health region. Recommendations were made to the Department of Health for priority health issues to address in the next five years.
1993	Canada's Health Promotion Survey 1990: Newfoundland Profile INVESTIGATORS: Doreen Neville, Alison Edwards SUMMARY: Canada's Health Promotion Survey, 1990, was analyzed to compare between Canada as a whole, Newfoundland and the Maritimes. Comparisons were also made for Newfoundland for certain variables between the 1985 and 1990 Health Promotion Surveys.
1993	Rural Physician Recruitment Retention in Newfoundland and Labrador: Potential Initiatives Identified from a Review of the Literature INVESTIGATORS: Bill Bavington, Doreen Neville SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to establish how best to approach the issue of recruitment and retention of rural-based medical practitioners in the province. A review of the relevant literature and documents from local organizations was made with suggestions for directions in rural recruitment.
1993	Population-based Health Indicators and a Supporting Database for the Health Regions of Newfoundland and Labrador INVESTIGATORS: Roy West, Jorge Segovia SUMMARY: A database was set up and distributed to Community Health Regions of the province.
1992	Ontario Heart Health Survey - Data Preparation and Analysis INVESTIGATOR: Alison Edwards SUMMARY: Preparation of data analysis files and production of tables for survey report
1992	Review of the Health of the Population of Placentia/Long Harbour Area INVESTIGATORS: Sharon Buehler, Roy West, Bonnie James SUMMARY: The provincial government was asked to respond to community concern about possible environmental risk from an industrial site; government requested a study to assess any evidence of harm to residents, which was done through review and evaluation of all available data on health indicators and environment assessments of the industrial site.