Our research projects are very diverse and include both qualitative and quantitative studies. Some of the current research topics include Ethics in Global Surgery, Perception of Pain in Indigenous Patients, Delphi consensus for Sustainability in Global Surgery Partnerships, and Cost-effectiveness of Surgical Interventions in South Sudan.
Global Surgery Interest and Engagement in Canadian Thoracic Surgery Practice
VitalSurg: Outcomes From a Surgical Task-Shifting Training Program in a Humanitarian Context
International Consensus on Global Surgery Learning Objectives and Competencies
Broader Research Efforts
In addition to the projects highlighted above, our team is actively engaged in a wide range of other research initiatives, spanning both published work and studies currently under review. These projects span multiple areas of global surgery and health systems research, providing insights into patient outcomes, surgical practices, and equity in care.
Environmental Scans & Scoping Reviews
- Lau D, Zivkovic I, Puhama A, Zanotto Manoel A, Garraway N, Joharifard S, Joos E. A Rapid Review of Practices and Policies of Humanitarian Organizations in Conflict-Affected Settings: Are We Ensuring Sustainability of Surgical Care?
- Zivkovic I, Lau D, Adams J, Blackman C, Livergant R, Binda C, Dorling M, Joharifard S, Joos E. Global Rural and Remote Pre-Hospital Trauma Systems: A Scoping Review.
- Livergant R, Bednarek O, Gerk Rangel A, Puhama A, Binda CK, Ackermann A, Zivkovic I, Magzoub A, Joos E, Pilkington M, Baird R, Joharifard S. Who’s Training Tomorrow’s Pediatric Surgeons? A Global Review of Pediatric Surgery Postgraduate Training Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
- Vayalikunnel R, Zanotto Manoel P, Zanotto Manoel A, Jeyakumar M, Chen Le Qi, Jeyakumar R, Balmes P, Lalande A, MacNeill AJ, Joharifard S, Joos E. Planetary Health Courses Around the World: An Environmental Scan.
- Hilzenrat, Roy; Livergant, Rachel; Binda, Catherine; Adams, Jayd; Chhor, Allison; Paiero-Keeler, Adrianna; Petropoulos, Jo-Anne; Hsiao, Helen; Haji, Faizal; Chin, Esther. What Are the Core Competencies for Global Surgery Training: A Scoping Review.
- Complete Surgical Mapping Rural BC (Ongoing)
Educational Simulators
- Rebello L, Livergant R, Khanbadr P, Bednarek O, Joharifard S. Simulation Models for Training in Pediatric General, Thoracic, Plastic, and Urologic Surgery in Low-resource settings: A Scoping Review. Journal of Pediatric Surgery 2025 Jan 23. PMID: 39890497.
- Heo K, Greaney E, Hael J, Stunden C, Lindner A, Malik P, Rosenbaum DG, Muensterer O, Zakani S, Jacob J, Joharifard S. Iterative Design and Manufacturing of a 3D-Printed Pediatric Open and Laparoscopic Integrated Simulator for Hernia Repair (POLISHeR). Journal of Pediatric Surgery 2025 Feb 10. PMID: 40011165.
- Malik P, Hael J, Livergant R, Heo K, Shum-Tim L, Lindner A, Muensterer O, Joharifard S. Molding Mastery: Validation of a 3D-Printed Simulator for Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Repair.
- Yeung R, Kwon DS, Mashat A, Banga A, Livergant R, Tam R, Joharifard S. Design and Validation of a Low-Cost Modular Simulator for Training in Neonatal Laparotomy and Jejunoileal Atresia Repair. Under review at the Journal of Pediatric Surgery.
- Cricothyroidotomy Simulator Creation (Ongoing)
Indigenous Health
- Livergrant R, Fraulin G, Stefanyk K, Binda C, Maleki S, Joharifard S, Hillier T, Joos E. Postoperative morbidity and mortality in pediatric Indigenous populations: a scoping review and meta-analysis. Pediatric Surgery International, 2023 Feb 16. PMID: 36795335.
- Livergrant R, Stefanyk K, Binda C, Fraulin G, Maleki S, Sibbeston S, Joharifard S, Hillier T, Joos E. Post-operative outcomes in Indigenous patients in North America and Oceania: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS Global Health 2023. PMID: 37585444.
- Indigenous Surgery Access in BC – Qualitative (Ongoing)