Dr. Mohammed Shurrab of Sudbury will tell you he has a passion for research. As a cardiologist and scientist, Shurrab is planning to use everyday data produced at Health Sciences North (HSN) to improve outcomes for cardiac patients in the North.
Shurrab was recently named as the research lead at HSN, where he has been practising since June of 2018. Prior to his arrival in Sudbury, Shurrab was a cardiologist at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.
Data from heart rate monitors, diagnostic digital imaging, and even prescription dosages, provided large amounts of anonymous data every day in health care. Shurrab is working to use as much of the data as possible to better understand and treat cardiology patients.
A news release from HSNRI said Shurrab would be doing this in collaboration with the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) North and with residents and students from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), where he is also an assistant professor.
Shurrab’s current work looks at the impact of combination blood-thinners on older adults being treated for stroke, heart attack, and atrial fibrillation.
He said in doing medical research, it is important to have a large sample size of data.
“With the data collected from ICES, which has no personal identifiers, we can look at hundreds of thousands of data points for hundreds of thousands of patients. We will be able to identify gaps in care and create better outcomes for patients," he said.
Also, through his research, Shurrab aims to present unique solutions to HSN’s challenges such as geography and a sprawling catchment area when treating cardiac patients.
“Sudbury deserves to have a very strong cardiovascular research program,” said Shurrab. “Through research using the local data and combining it with the immense data in ICES North, HSN and HSNRI can participate in generating the scientific evidence to improve the outcomes of cardiac patients in the region, and nationally.”
Shurrab is also actively involved in clinical teaching with learners from NOSM. His focus on clinical teaching also encourages learners to welcome research into their training and future clinical careers. Shurrab's approach is welcomed by NOSM.
“Collaborative and interdisciplinary research is foundational in creating a fulsome experiences for our learners,” said Greg Ross, Vice-President of Academic and Research Impact at the school.
“Dr. Shurrab’s research using ICES North is an excellent approach to introducing our learners to exciting new ways of solving complex medical issues.”
