Clinical Discovery & Health Services Research

Pathway Leader

Emily Finlayson, MD, MS, FACS

Professor of Surgery, Medicine, and Health Policy
Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs and Development
Director, UCSF Center for Surgery in Older Adults (CSOA)

What is Surgical Health Services Research?

Surgical health services research is the study of the impact of surgery on patients and health care systems. The goals of this research are to improve the quality of surgical care through education and inform health policy on a local and national level. Key elements of outcomes research techniques include:

• Secondary data analysis
• Patient centered outcomes: assessment of quality of life and functional outcomes
• Decision analysis
• Cost-effectiveness analysis
• Survey design
• Comparative effectiveness analysis

Faculty

• Michael S. Conte, M.D.
• Laura J. Esserman, M.D., M.B.A.
• Sandy Feng, M.D., Ph.D.
• Emily Finlayson, M.D., M.S.
• Marlene Grenon, M.D., C.M.
• Jade S. Hiramoto, M.D.
• Tara Karamlou, M.D., M.Sc.

How to Build You Toolbox: Educational Opportunities

• The Phillip R. Lee Health Policy Fellowship Program
  • Salary, Masters in clinical research design, regular WIP sessions
  • Ad hoc funding each year; minority focus
• Training in Clinical Research (TICR)
  • Summer clinical research program (each course ~$1K)
  • Advanced Training in Clinical Research (ATCR)($16,200/yr)
  • Master’s Degree Program in Clinical Research ($24K/yr)

Funding Opportunities

• Foundation
  • Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Research Grants & Fellowships (Jan 1; July 1) ($57,000/yr x 2 years)
• Society
  • ASCRS Grants & Awards (March 1) (20K/yr x 1-2 years)
  • ACS Resident Research Scholarships (Sept 1) (30K/yr x 2 years)
  • SAGES Patient Outcomes Grant (Nov 1) (25,000/yr x 2 years)
  • SUS Resident Scholar Award (April 20) ($30,000/yr x 1 year)
• For the general list of fellowships and other grant opportunities for the resident research program, click here.