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Ottawa-led team gets top rank for patient decision aids research


September 21, 2016



Dr. Dawn Stacey has earned the distinction of having her Cochrane systematic review cited more than any other review in 2015. According to The Cochrane Library, of more than 1,800 reviews published in 2013-2014, “Decision aids for people facing health treatments or screening decisions,” was the most-cited review, with 146 other publications referencing it. The review, which was conducted by an international team lead by Dr. Stacey, reports on the effectiveness of patient decision aids that are used to help people weigh the benefits and harms of treatment and screening options. Dr. Stacey and her team also maintain the world’s largest inventory of patient decision aids, which typically generates around 700,000 page views per year. Their decision aids are used by patients and health-care providers at The Ottawa Hospital and around the world.

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


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

For further information, please contact


Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca