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Rick Sawatzky

PROGRAM HEAD – PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES, PHD, RN

Dr. Rick Sawatzky joined Advancing Health as a scientist in December 2011, bringing methodological expertise and a programme of research that is an excellent fit with our mandate. He is the Head of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Program at CfAHO.

Research Interests

  • Patient-reported outcomes measurement
  • Quality of life assessment in clinical practice
  • Measurement validation
  • Computerized adaptive testing
  • Palliative care

His research focuses on the validation and utilization of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures and quality of life assessment instruments in various health care contexts for people with life-limiting conditions, and their family caregivers, who are in need of a palliative approach.

Dr. Sawatzky has particular interests in examining the use of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical practice and in evaluating implications of population heterogeneity with respect to individuals’ self-reports about their health status and quality of life. His current research includes studies on the validity of PRO instruments and computerized adaptive assessment systems, the use of tablet devices for PRO assessments, the selection and utilization of PROs, a palliative approach to nursing care delivery, spiritual and religious diversity in health care, educational approaches for patients with colorectal cancer, and patients’ experiences with knee surgery. His clinical background is in palliative care and medical nursing care, and he has been part of the School of Nursing at Trinity Western University since 2002. He also teaches courses in the Master of Science Nursing program on knowledge synthesis and quantitative research methods. Additionally, he is an affiliated Professor at the prestigious Salgrenska Academy of the University of Gothenburg (Centre for Person-Centred Care),  lead for Patient-Centred Measurement Methods with the BC SUPPORT Unit, and methodological advisor with the British Columbia Ministry of Health Office of Patient-Centred Measurement.

You can read more at www.ricksawatzky.com

Additional Affiliations
  • Tier I Canada Research Chair, Equitable People-Centred Health Measurement
  • Professor, School of Nursing, Trinity Western University
  • Lead, Patient-Centred Measurement Methods, BC SUPPORT Unit