Dr Elizabeth Van Den Kerkhof

Dr. Elizabeth Van Den Kerkhof of Queen's University is currently leading a 3 year study to determine the risk factors associated with the development of chronic post-surgical pain in women. Funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research, the study will recruit 800 women prior to having gynecologic abdominal surgery, and have them complete several questionnaires that measure their levels of preoperative pain, psychosocial functioning, and general health. The women will then be followed-up post-surgically at 6 weeks and 6 months using the same measures. By identifying clinical and psychosocial predictors of chronic post-surgical pain, Dr. Van Den Kerkhof hopes to aid the development of prevention and management strategies specific to women, thereby decreasing their pain and suffering and improving efficiencies in the health care system.

"Pain after surgery is one of the most common complications associated with delayed recovery and discharge from hospital," says Dr. Van Den Kerkhof. "Pain has a direct impact on quality of life and function, and a growing body of evidence suggests that women are experiencing chronic pain after fairly common surgical procedures."

Dr. Van Den Kerkhof has previously published research on chronic pain, pain prevalence in schoolchildren, and health care informatics. She has a Doctorate degree in Public Health from John Hopkins University, a Master of Science degree in Epidemiology from Queen's University, and is a Registered Nurse. Currently, Dr. Van Den Kerkhof teaches at Queen's University as an Associate Professor, holding a joint appointment with the School of Nursing and the Department of Anesthesiology, and a cross appointment with the Department of Epidemiology. She is also a Senior Scientist with the Queen's Practice and Research in Nursing group, and Research Director of the Queen's University Anesthesiology Informatics Laboratory.

Written by James Medd, Research Associate, Department of Anesthesiology, Queen's University

For further information, please contact Dr Elizabeth Van Den Kerkhof using the Email contact form or by phone at 613 549-6666 ext 3964