Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

“How do you know if you are a good surgeon? The MSKCC (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) approach to surgical quality assurance”

Current research interests

Andrew VickersDr Andrew Vickers' research falls into three broad areas: randomized trials, surgical outcomes research and molecular marker studies. A particular focus of his work is the detection and initial treatment of prostate cancer. Dr Vickers has analyzed the ’learning curve’ for radical prostatectomy. He is working on a series of studies demonstrating that a single measure of prostate specific antigen taken in middle age can predict lethal prostate cancer up to 30 years subsequently. He has also developed a statistical model to predict the result of prostate biopsy, work that has been commercialized and is clinically available through Opko Diagnostics. His work on randomized trials focuses on methods for integrating randomized trials into routine surgical practice so as to compare different approaches to surgery. As part of this work he has pioneered the use of web-interfaces for obtaining quality of life data from patients recovering from radical prostatectomy. Dr. Vickers’ methodological research centers primarily on novel methods for assessing the clinical value of predictive tools. In particular, he has developed decision-analytic tools that can be directly applied to a data set, without the need for data gathering on patient preferences or utilities. Dr Vickers has a strong interest in teaching statistics. He is course leader for the MSK biostatistics course and is author of the introductory textbook “What is a p-value anyway?” In his capacity as Director of the Web Survey Core Facility, Dr. Vickers spearheads a number of innovative informatics initiatives throughout MSK, including the Amplio quality assurance system.

 

Chair: Professor Freddie Hamdy

All members of the University and NHS clinical staff are welcome.