World Asthma Day is on May 7.
Despite available therapies and management tactics for those living with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), most Canadians living with these conditions suffer from poor control, leading to high rates of morbidity, mortality and healthcare utilization nationwide. Dr. Andrew Kouri, scientist and respirologist at WCH, is delving into research that addresses these care gaps through the use of digital health technologies.
Q&A with Dr. Kouri:
What inspired your interest in respirology and why?
I was driven to become a respirologist because I was fascinated by pulmonary physiology and how it connects with so many other systems in the body. I also found that when you care for patients in respirology, you get to meet people across the spectrum of ages and demographics, and I love how you can make a significant difference in how people feel when you treat their respiratory problems.
What does your typical workday look like?
I divide my time between seeing patients at my outpatient clinic, where I specialize in airways disease like asthma and COPD and working on my research program. My focus in research is on developing methods of caring for patients with these conditions through the utilization of digital health technologies.
How does your work contribute to creating a positive patient experience?
I hope that my research will lead to new ways for patients to be involved in their own care through the use of digital health. I think that engaging people to be partners in care will always improve their experience. My goal is to create a center of excellence for airways disease care and research, pushing the boundaries of innovative digital health research.
What’s a recent research discovery you’ve made that’s surprised you?
My recent research highlights a gap: despite the excitement around new digital health technologies in respiratory research, many of these innovations overlook integration into real-world healthcare routines for patients and providers. I aim to explore incorporating these technologies into patient electronic records for seamless engagement by both patients and healthcare providers.
Tell us three things that your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you!
1. I’ve run a marathon with my mom (it was my first, and her 20th!)
2. I’m a hobby woodworker and just finished building a red oak coffee table
3. I have an Instagram famous pug who’s been on Dragon’s Den
Interested in working with us? Check out our careers page.