Affiliate Investigator, Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Associate Professor, Depts of Medicine,
Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Family Medicine, Division of Oncology
Faculty Member, Institute for Research and Training in Palliative Care
Clinician Scientist, Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre
Active staff, Dept of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Ottawa Hospital
Cancer Care Ontario, Co-ordinator, Evidence-based Care Program for the Primary Care Oncology Network
McMaster University:
Associate Director, Supportive Cancer Care Research Unit
Research Interests
Breast Cancer
Community oncology
Long-term care of oncology patients
(including palliative care)
Health services research
Medical ethics (particularly in respect
to research methodology)
Primary care research
Dr. Grunfeld's principal research focus
is community oncology. The overall objective of this research is the identification
and evaluation of cancer services best suited to being provided in the
community. The concept underpinning community oncology is that patients
and their families are best served when cancer care is provided within
their own community whenever feasible and safe. Research areas that inform
research in community oncology are health services research, quality of
life research, supportive oncology, primary care research, medical ethics
and health economics.
Major Research Activities
Ongoing studies include a multicentre
RCT to evaluate an alternative strategy for the long-term follow-up of
breast cancer patients, survey of colorectal follow-up practices, and an
evaluation of homecare utilisation and needs of women with metastatic breast
cancer and their family caregivers.
Major Awards / Affiliations
Career Scientist (Provincial competition),
Ontario Ministry of Health, 1995-2000; renewed 2000-2005
Canadian Health Services Research Foundation: 1999-2002.
National Cancer Institute of Canada, operating grant 1996-1999; renewed 1999-2001.
Fellowship, National Cancer Institute
of Canada, 1992-1994
UK Overseas Research Scholarship, 1992-3;
1993-4
Current Grants
A population-based study of the outcome of surveillance mammography after treatment of primary breast cancer. National Cancer Institute of Canada; 2001-2003
Canadian Health Services Research Foundation: 1999-2002.
National Cancer Institute of Canada,
Operating Grant: 1997-2000
National Cancer Institute of Canada,
Operating Grant: 1996-1999, renewed 1999-2001
Major Publications
Corstine M, Crooks D, Grunfeld E. Caregiving for women with advanced breast cancer. 2003: in press Psycho-Oncology.
Earle C, Grunfeld E, Coyle D, Cripps C, Stern H. Colorectal cancer follow-up practices and costs. Ann of Oncol 2003;14:400-405.
Coyle D, Grunfeld E, Wells G. The assessment of the economic return from controlled clinical trials: a framework applied to clinical trials of colorectal cancer follow-up. 2002: in press Eur J of Health Economics
Grunfeld E, Zitzelsberger L, Coristine M, Aspelund F. Barriers and facilitators to enrolment in cancer clinical trials: Qualitative study of the perspectives of clinical research associates. Cancer 2002;95:1577-83.
Grunfeld E, Zitzelsberger L, Coristine M, Whelan T, Willan AR, Aspelund F, Christie A, Montesanto B, Evans WK. Cancer care workers in Ontario: Aspects of job stress and job satisfaction. 2002: in press Cancer Prevention and Control
Grunfeld E, Noorani H, McGahan L, Paszat L, Coyle D, van Walraven C, Joyce J, Sawka C. Surveillance mammography after treatment of primary breast cancer: a systematic review. 2002: in press The Breast
Grunfeld E, Whelan T, Zitzelsberger L, Willan AR, Montesanto B, Evans WK. Cancer care workers in Ontario: Prevalence of burnout, job stress and job satisfaction. CMAJ 2000;163(2):166-9.
Grunfeld E, Gray A, Mant D, Yudkin P, Adewuyi-Dalton R, Coyle D, Cole D, Stewart J, Fitzpatrick R, Vessey MP. Follow up of breast cancer in primary care vs specialist care: results of an economic evaluation, Br J Cancer 1999;79:122-1233.
Smith TJ, Davidson NE, Schapira DV, Grunfeld E, Muss HB, Vogell III V.G. American Society for Clinical Oncology 1998 Update of Recommended Breast Cancer Surveillance Guidelines. J Clin Oncol 1999;17:1080-1082.
Grunfeld E, Fitzpatrick R, Mant D, Yudkin P, Adewuyi-Dalton R, Stewart J, Cole D, Vessey MP. Comparison of breast cancer patient satisfaction with follow up in primary care vs specialist care: results from a randomized controlled trial. Br J Gen Pract 1999;49:705-710.
Adewuyi-Dalton R, Ziebland S, Grunfeld E, Hall A. Patient's views of routine hospital follow-up: a qualitative study of women with breast cancer in remission, Psycho-Oncology 1998;7:436-439
Grunfeld E, Glossop R, McDowell I, Danbrook C. Caring for elderly people at home: the consequences to caregivers. CMAJ 1997;157(8):1101-05
Agboola O, Grunfeld E, Coyle D, Perry G. The costs and benefits of routine follow-up after curative treatment for endometrial cancer. CMAJ 1997;157(7):879-86.
Grunfeld E. Cervical cancer: screening the hard to reach groups. CMAJ 1997;157:543-5 (editorial).
Breast Cancer Surveillance Expert Panel. Recmommended Breast Cancer Surveillance Guidelines. J Clin Oncol 1997;15:2149-2156. (Member of Expert Panel).
Bradburn J, Maher J, Adewuyi-Dalton R, Grunfeld E, Lancaster T, Mant D. Developing clinical trial protocols: the use of patient focus groups. Psycho-Oncol 1995;4:107-112.
Grunfeld E, Mant D, Vessey MP, Yudkin P. Evaluating breast cancer follow-up in general practice: description of three related studies. Ann Oncol 1995; 6:S47-S52.
Grunfeld E, Mant D, Vessey MP, Fitzpatrick R. Specialist and general practice views on routine follow-up of breast cancer patients in general practice. Family Practice 1995;12:60-65
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