Dr Bhatia leads the STOPIT research group along with his colleague, Dr Philip Peng. This group is based in the Departments of Anesthesia & Pain Medicine at Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and Women’s College Hospital. It is consists of clinicians and researchers (anesthesiologists, pain physicians, anatomists) supported by research staff. The group includes expertise over the spectrum of acute, peri-procedural and chronic pain. Research methodologies including proof-of-concept investigations, clinical trials, observational studies, retrospective analyses, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and population based studies are being used by this group.
Investigational models for therapeutic interventions range from anatomy specimens to subjects with persistent, neuropathic pain. Evaluation of ultrasound against anatomical landmarks and fluoroscopy for interventional pain procedures, predicting and measuring benefit from intravenous ketamine infusions through use of validated questionnaires and functional MRI in refractory neuropathic pain, and ascertaining benefit from spinal interventions through synthesis of available evidence are some of the current research foci. Dr Bhatia has published several manuscripts, book chapters, and books on assessment and treatment of pain. He also organizes several workshops and academic events to increase awareness of recent advances in treatment of pain.
Selection of Recent Publications:
1. Bhatia A, Flamer D, Peng P. Evaluation of sonoanatomy relevant to performance of stellate ganglion blocks using anterior and lateral simulated approaches: an observational study. Can J Anaesth. 2012; 59: 1040-7.
2. Bhatia A, Brull R. Is ultrasound guidance advantageous for interventional pain management? A systematic review of chronic pain outcomes. Anesth & Analg. 2013; 117: 236-51.
3. Bhatia A, Gofeld M, Ganapathy S, Hanlon J, Johnson M. Comparison of anatomic landmarks and ultrasound guidance for intercostal nerve injections in cadavers. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2013; 38: 503-7.
4. Bhatia A, Flamer D, Shah PS. Perineural steroids for trauma and compression-related peripheral neuropathic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Can J Anaesth. 2015; 62: 650-62.
5. Bhatia A. Ketamine as an adjunct to patient-controlled analgesia: why, for whom, and how much? Can J Anaesth. 2015 Nov 25. [Epub ahead of print]
6. Bhatia A, Flamer D, Shah PS, Cohen SP. Transforaminal epidural steroid injections for treating lumbosacral radicular pain from herniated intervertebral discs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Anesth & Analg. 2016 (in print).
