Department Research Interests and Programs

The Research Group in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster is among the most innovative and prolific in Canada. Our faculty members are pursuing a diverse range of research interests.

The list below represents a sampling of our major research areas, with project-specific links to find out more.

• You can search our projects and publications database, which provide an overview of research activity.
• Our faculty also have individual research interests which are described in their Bio.
  

Health Systems and Services

Linking Family Physicians with Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) Project

This research attempts to identify how family physicians might link with the newly formed LHINs in Ontario, by exploring the experiences and perceptions of family physicians in other national and international jurisdictions that have undergone some similar form of health system regionalization.
Final Report LHIN Project Brochure

Quality in Family Medicine

An exploratory study designed to recommend an interdisciplinary assessment programme for family practice offices in Ontario Learn More >>

Other Research Topics:

Health Policy and Organization of Health Services
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Rural Medicine
Transfer of New Knowledge -- Changing provider behaviour

Prevention and Health Promotion

Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP)

An innovative, community-based program that enables community agencies, family physicians, pharmacists, public health nurses, and volunteers to work together to improve high blood pressure monitoring and control and also address other modifiable risk factors, to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke in seniors 65 years of age and older. Learn more >>

Women's Health

HPV

The human papillomavirus is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, a disease that affects thousands of women every year.

Reproductive Health

Maternal and Child Health

Post Partum Research Group

The McMaster University Postpartum Research Group (PPRG)is made up of a dynamic team of researchers and family physicians. A major focus of the PPRG has been to produce systematic reviews of the published literature on various routine postpartum interventions. The group is also active in presenting their work at various conferences. Learn more >>

The Patient-Physician Relationship

The David Braley and Nancy Gordon Endowed Chair in Family Medicine

The Braley/Gordon Chair promotes the belief that excellent primary care depends on the establishment of meaningful relationships nor only between doctors and patiets but also among all the members of interdisciplinary primary care teams. Learn More >>

McMaster University Centre of Excellence in Family Medicine

Run by the David Braley and Nancy Gordon Chair in Family Medicine (above). The Chair's mandate is to develop educational and clinical programs that place an emphasis on communication, collaboration and advocacy, and rigorously evaluate their impact. Learn More >>

Building Capacity in Primary Care Research

5-Weekend Research Program

The Ontario Medical Schools are looking for participants to set aside 5 Weekends over the course of one year to develop research and grant seeking skills. Learn More >>

Primary Care Informatics

Open Source Clinical Application Resource (OSCAR) McMaster

Open source web-based applications designed for the delivery of evidence resources and decision support at the point of care for both patients and providers. OSCAR is comprised of an electronic medical record system, a clinical resource content management database, and a patient portal. Learn more >>

Other Special Interest Groups

Global Health Program

Many members of the Department of Family Medicine are involved in health related projects and initiatives abroad. Learn More >>

Caring for Gay and Lesbian People

Allan D. Peterkin and Cathy Risdon have written Caring for Lesbian and Gay People, the first medical guide to offer busy clinicians practical, accessible, and evidence-based information to help in the care of gay and lesbian patients. Learn More >>

Care of the Elderly: The Team for Individualizing Pharmacotherapy in Primary Care for Seniors (TIPPS) Program

A multi-disciplinary resource team that uses their combined expertise to find better solutions to the problems seniors face when choosing or using medications. The focus is on finding solutions that meet each patient's individual needs, while taking into account the experience of the health care providers and the health care system in general. Learn More >>

Other Research Topics:

Palliative Care
Occupational and Environmental Health
HIV