Based out of the QEII Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Bailey has been a practicing anesthesiologist and researcher since 2019. His area of research is in regional anesthesia (nerve blocks), acute pain management, and global health education. He is a member of the thoracic and liver transplant teams, regional anesthesia and acute pain teams, and is actively involved in global health initiatives. He is the Rwanda lead for the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society International Education Foundation and was just appointed Medical Director of Serving and Engaging Communities in the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine.
Where it all started
Dr. Bailey was originally in residency to become a general surgeon. But after three clinical years and two years spent working toward a master’s degree, he switched to anesthesia and never looked back.
“Anesthesia was appealing, and the choice continues to be reaffirmed over the years for many reasons,” said Bailey. “Most people think of anesthesia as the specialty that puts someone to sleep for surgery, but the part that we take pride in and spend most of our time training for is to become expert resuscitators.”
But all that training to become a surgeon wasn’t lost. In fact, it has made him an even better researcher.
“During that program, the surgery department generously sponsored me to finish a master’s degree in community health and epidemiology as part of the Clinician Investigator Program,” said Bailey. “This was invaluable training for my research career and, coming from the Department of Surgery prior to joining the Department of Anesthesia has allowed me to maintain strong connections with their members. It has also shown me the power and necessity for multidisciplinary, collaborative work.”
A day in the life
As a busy anesthesiologist, researcher and dad, Dr. Bailey is working on mastering the art of work life balance. He spends 60 percent of his work week in the operating room and 40 per cent working on research projects or teaching medical school graduates enrolled in Dalhousie University’s competitive anesthesia residency program. His clinical days in the operating room start at 7:00 a.m. and typically finish around 5:30 p.m.
“My non-clinical days start with helping get my young kids out the door,” said Bailey. “I generally work from home, but on occasion the coffee shop at Seven Bays Bouldering becomes my second home. My work productivity is supported heavily by large volumes of coffee and high tempo instrumental playlists.”
The work
When asked about the research projects he is currently working on, Dr. Bailey’s response: “many… maybe too many.” He’s not kidding - the list is impressive. He is currently working on two separate clinical trials; one to investigate the effectiveness of nerve blocks for pain control following thoracic surgery and one for cardiac surgery patients. The goal is that these nerve blocks will improve the experience of surgery for patients by hopefully allowing earlier extubation, reduction of opioids, and minimizing pain.
The inspiration behind the innovation
All of Dr. Bailey’s research is inspired by questions. Questions that come up while he is working with patients in the operating room or while he is teaching students in a clinical setting.
“When the existing information seems inadequate or evidence-based practice has not been implemented, this very often leads to a project,” said Bailey.
Mentors are also a source of inspiration for Dr. Bailey’s research. He says his colleagues motivate and guide him, such as fellow anesthesia researcher Dr. Vishal Uppal who has inspired him to pursue research in regional anesthesia. Another mentor to Dr. Bailey is recent Order of Canada recipient and QEII anesthesiologist, Dr. Patty Livingston, who has been instrumental in encouraging Dr. Bailey’s research work in education and development in global health initiatives.
“The novelty of research is really what keeps me going,” said Bailey. “I love that my days are often quite different from one another. I love seeing new information being converting into progressively better care. Plus, research focuses me to stay current in my knowledge and practice.”
The importance of research
Dr. Bailey has a long career in anesthesia research ahead. He says research is how he learns and how medicine improves.
“When our daily work has such a potentially huge impact on our patients lives, we must demand excellence of ourselves,” said Bailey. “Research allows us to constantly progress in terms of our understanding of medicine and implementation of healthcare. Even more importantly, it gives us a systematic way to discard flawed logic or inferior practices.”
Research in Action profiles on Nova Scotia Health researchers is an initiative of the Innovation Hub. Nova Scotia Health’s Innovation Hub leads research, innovation and discovery within Nova Scotia’s healthcare system to deliver high-impact solutions for patients and providers. Through strategic partnerships, Nova Scotia Health’s Innovation Hub is transforming health care through leading-edge research, the best available evidence, and innovative solutions.
