Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Master's program

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third leading cause of cardiovascular mortality in North America, accounting for approximately 300,000 annual deaths. PE occurs when a blood clot navigates through the blood, eventually blocking blood vessels in the lungs. Occasionally, this can result in high-risk PE, a rare and severe form of PE which contributes to the most PE-related deaths. Guidelines for the treatment of high-risk PE currently recommend blood thinners paired with advanced therapies that deliver clot-busting medication throughout the body or directly to the site of the blood clot. Blood clots can also be removed directly through surgery. While these treatments are often lifesaving, they can also pose risks, such as increased bleeding and stroke. Research data demonstrates that despite their effectiveness, most patients do not receive these treatments, however the reason is unknown. We look to understand why doctors choose different PE treatments, and how patients value the risks and benefits of these treatments. This study will include interviews of both physicians and patients with previous experience with high-risk PE. Physicians will be asked to demonstrate their decision-making process when presented with a high-risk PE case, while patients will be asked questions regarding their experience with treatment and their thoughts on currently available therapies. Both sets of interviews will be recorded and compared to determine similarities and differences in patient and physician perspectives. Ultimately, this study aims to create a standardized framework for the treatment of high-risk PE, not only increasing comfort for both patients and physicians when dealing with this condition but also leading to a decrease in PE-related mortality.