Dr. Tsuyuki is a Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and the Director of the Epidemiology Coordinating and Research (EPICORE) Centre (a health research coordinating centre) at the University of Alberta.
1. What are your key areas of interest and research/assignment?
My area of interest is translating research evidence in cardiovascular disease into practice. In particular, we have been using pharmacists in the community (the most accessible and frequently visited primary healthcare professional) as a mechanism to screen for common ambulatory conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, peripheral arterial disease, etc. With expanding scope of practice for pharmacists in Canada and worldwide, we now have more tools to improve care. For example, we have just completed a series of studies looking at pharmacist prescribing to improve the management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular risk reduction.
I am also very interested in supporting other researchers through methodology consultation and providing services such as data management and biostatistics. Our centre, EPICORE Centre (www.epicore.ualberta.ca), has provided support for clinical and health services researchers for the past 20 years. Recently, I became a platform leader for Consultation and Research Services for the Alberta Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit (http://www.aihealthsolutions.ca/initiatives-partnerships/spor/), which will further increase our capacity for research support.
2. What are the major challenges in your field?
The major challenge is the corporatization of pharmacy. Pharmacists want to provide patient-centred care, but pharmacy corporations dictate staffing levels and base their workflow on a drug dispensing model, not a patient care model. But this is changing rapidly.
3. What is your top management tip?
One of the things my mentor told me: “Surround yourself with talented people.”
4. What would you single out as a career highlight?
I derive great satisfaction from the success of those who I have trained – that is a career highlight that continues on.
5. If you had not chosen this career path you would have become a…?
A chef! I experiment on my family and friends all the time.
6. What are your personal interests outside of work?
As a family we really enjoy spending time in the Rocky Mountains hiking and mountain biking.
7. Your favourite quote?
I don’t really have one. Sorry.
Dr. Tsuyuki has received several awards for teaching, as well as appointment as a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists and the American College of Cardiology. In 2005, he was recognized as the Canadian Pharmacist of the Year by the Canadian Pharmacists Association.
His interests include: improving the care of patients with heart failure and hypertension, prevention of cardiovascular disease, pharmacy practice research, provision of support for other researchers and training the next generation of health researchers.
