Research
Domestic (US) Perioperative Health Equity
Local health equity is global health equity. The CHESA research priority projects aim to not only better understand health disparities in perioperative patients in the US, but also to identify and evaluate interventions to address these inequities. Recent and ongoing work by CHESA faculty include assessing the impact of gentrification on access to surgery in San Francisco, disparities in analgesia prescribing and pain assessments in patients with limited English proficiency, and establishing health equity metrics for surgery and anesthesia practices.
International Perioperative Health Equity
Our Faculty at UCSF and collaborating institutions are working together across disciplines to better understand and address health disparities in resource-denied settings. Recent work by CHESA faculty and partners includes the Global Action In Nursing (GAIN) initiative, an evaluation of outcomes and cost-effectiveness of pediatric surgical interventions in East Africa, and the Global Anesthesia Workforce Study Group (collaboration with the WFSA and the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists).
Research in Education
We are working to better understand the impact of educational interventions on perioperative outcomes and trainee knowledge transfer. Recent work by CHESA faculty and partners includes: evaluating the impact of the Safer Anesthesia From Education (SAFE) Obstetric Training course on c-section outcomes in Tanzania (collaboration with the WFSA), assessing impact of simulation based training on clinical performance, and assessing the impact of DEI training on anesthesia and surgery residents.
Guidelines & Consensus Work
CHESA faculty and collaborators have contributed to numerous initiatives that seek to establish consensus, provide guidelines and create frameworks for improving equitable perioperative care and training, based on expert input and evidence review. These include the Disease Control Priorities and the WHO-WFSA International Standards for Safe Practice of Anesthesia led by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists.
Device Development
CHESA faculty are leading multiple studies to improve access to medical technologies including pulse oximetry, capnography and surgical techniques. CHESA faculty also lead the UCSF Hypoxia Research Laboratory, a leader in pulse oximetry research and development for 50 years. CHESA and the Hypoxia Lab are teaming up on the OpenOximetry.org Project to improve access to accurate pulse oximeters worldwide by sharing data and developing new standards for oximeter validation and development.
CHESA Publications
Visit the CHESA Publications library to view manuscripts by CHESA members, including faculty, fellows and core collaborators.
