Keywords

prehabilitation • perioperative medicine • patient activation and education • enhanced recovery after surgery • value-based health care delivery

Research Focus

My research focuses on how best to prepare patients with different levels of fitness for surgery for different types of surgery, focussing on modifiable factors such as nutrition status, exercise capacity, and mental ability to cope with health challenges. I want to know how we can determine who is fit for surgery, and what it means to be ready for surgery. I am particularly interested in the effects and the components of prehabilitation, a new intervention that is designed to improve fitness for surgery so patients are at less risk for complications and have a better chance of a smooth recovery. I work closely with surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, exercise specialists, and psychology-trained professionals to deliver this intervention effectively and to make it accessible to as many patients awaiting surgery.