Interview with Prof. Timothy M. Pawlik: Surgical Oncology Insights
On July 24, 2024, the Executive Chief Editor of Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment (JCMT) conducted an in-depth interview with Prof. Timothy M. Pawlik, Surgeon-in-Chief at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, USA. During the interview, Prof. Pawlik reflected on major advances in the treatment of liver, pancreatic, gallbladder, and neuroendocrine tumors. He highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary teams in shared decision making, discussed key translational findings in prognosis and staging, and offered practical insights on improving patient-physician communication and engagement to enhance outcomes and quality of life.
Watch the following video for expert insights from Prof. Timothy M. Pawlik:
Interview Questions:
Q1: You have extensive experience in treating liver, gallbladder, pancreatic, and neuroendocrine tumors, and have published numerous research papers in these areas. What do you consider to be the most significant advancements in these fields over the years, and how have these advancements impacted patient outcomes and quality of life?
Q2: As Surgeon-in-Chief at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, you play a crucial role in a multidisciplinary team. Could you share how a multidisciplinary approach contributes to optimal patient decision making and treatment outcomes?
Q3: Your research in the Cancer Control Program, particularly around the prognosis and staging of gastrointestinal cancers, has yielded important findings. Could you discuss some of these key findings and how they have been translated into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes?
Q4: You have conducted extensive research on patient-physician communication and patient engagement. What do you believe are the most critical improvements needed in these areas, and how can these improvements enhance the treatment experience and outcomes for cancer patients?
Q5: As an author of numerous scientific articles and books, and drawing on your experience in the field, what advice would you offer to young surgeons who are beginning their careers in surgery?
About the Interviewee:
Prof. Timothy M. Pawlik, Surgeon-in-Chief at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Prof. Pawlik is a distinguished surgical oncologist. His research focuses on prognostic and staging factors in gastrointestinal cancers, as well as patient-physician communication, engagement, and care perception. Clinically, he specializes in liver, gallbladder, pancreatic, and neuroendocrine tumors, adopting a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach.
Prof. Pawlik holds the Urban Meyer III and Shelley Meyer Chair for Cancer Research at Ohio State University and has contributed extensively to academic literature, with over 700 peer-reviewed articles, 50 book chapters, and five surgical textbooks. He is recognized internationally for his leadership in surgical oncology and cancer outcomes research.
Editor: Frida Zhai
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment
