“I’m interested in identifying people who need palliative care earlier. Many people don’t know that they’re near the end of their life until it’s too late, and I want to change that,” - Dr. James Downar. Dr. James Downar has many ideas about how to improve end of life care, and in Ottawa he’s found enthusiastic colleagues and an integrated palliative care system well suited to the task. His research vision includes better identifying people who need palliative care using hospital admission data. He recently led a study with Dr. Carl van Walraven and others that shows this approach has promise. Dr. Downar also wants to explore new treatments for the existential distress patients feel when their illness and declining function threaten their sense of purpose. He’s also interested in improving support for families who have a loved one die in the Intensive Care Unit.
“I’m interested in identifying people who need palliative care earlier. Many people don’t know that they’re near the end of their life until it’s too late, and I want to change that,” said Dr. Downar.
Dr. Downar is Head of the Division of Palliative Care at the University of Ottawa, and was recently appointed as an associate scientist in the Clinical Epidemiology Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. The critical care and palliative care physician splits his time between The Ottawa Hospital and Bruyère.
The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.
University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas
The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca
Media Contact
Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca
