William T. McGarry, M.D. studies the training of nursing students and the effectiveness of treatments for serious health conditions. One area of his research involves evaluating how different designs of artificial discs for the lower back wear over time. This is crucial because if these devices wear out too quickly, they could cause complications for patients who need back surgery. Additionally, he has investigated the use of various combinations of drugs for treating advanced colorectal cancer, aiming to find more effective treatment options for patients battling this disease.
Key findings
An experimental metal-on-metal artificial disc design reduced wear from 12.4 to 6.2 cubic millimeters per million cycles.
In a study of advanced colorectal cancer patients, only 7 out of 44 experienced some improvement with a combination therapy including fluorouracil, while 15 patients' conditions worsened.
The average survival for patients receiving the combination treatment in the colorectal cancer study was 53 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. McGarry study back problems?
Yes, he researches artificial discs used in lumbar spine surgery, focusing on how their design affects wear over time.
What treatments has Dr. McGarry researched for cancer?
He has investigated a combination of drugs including fluorouracil and other agents for treating advanced colorectal cancer.
How does Dr. McGarry's work help nursing students?
His research assesses training programs that prepare nursing students for real-life medical situations, ultimately improving patient care.
Is Dr. McGarry's research relevant for patients with advanced colorectal cancer?
Yes, his studies look at treatment options that could help those suffering from this condition.
What impact does Dr. McGarry's research on artificial discs have?
Understanding wear rates helps ensure that artificial discs last longer, reducing the risk of complications for patients needing lumbar spine surgery.
Publications in plain English
Student life--Acting out scenarios.
2015
Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
Adam C, McGarry W
Plain English This research looked at how the University of the West of Scotland trains nursing students in clinical skills. It found that the university is recognized for providing effective hands-on training, which helps students prepare for real-life medical situations. This is important because better training can lead to improved patient care in the future.
Who this helps: This helps nursing students and, ultimately, their future patients.
Wear of an experimental metal-on-metal artificial disc for the lumbar spine.
2008
Spine
Lee JL, Billi F, Sangiorgio SN, McGarry W, Krueger DJ +3 more
Plain English This study looked at how different designs of metal-on-metal artificial discs for the lower back wear over time, specifically the effects of changes in materials and structure. The researchers found that wear rates ranged from 6.2 to 15.8 cubic millimeters per million cycles, with the best design reducing wear from 12.4 to 6.2 cubic millimeters. Understanding and optimizing these design factors is important to prevent excessive wear, which could lead to complications for patients.
Who this helps: Patients requiring lumbar spine surgery and their doctors.
Sequential biochemical modulation of fluorouracil with folinic acid, N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartic acid, and interferon alfa-2a in advanced colorectal cancer.
1999
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Royce ME, McGarry W, Bready B, Dakhil SR, Belt RJ +5 more
Plain English This study looked at whether adding folinic acid, N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartic acid, and interferon alfa-2a could improve the effectiveness of fluorouracil (5-FU) in treating advanced colorectal cancer. In total, 44 patients received this combination treatment, but results showed that only 7 experienced partial improvement, while 15 had their condition worsen; the average survival was 53 weeks. These findings indicate that this specific treatment approach did not offer any benefits over traditional methods of using 5-FU and folinic acid alone.
Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors and patients exploring treatment options for advanced colorectal cancer.
Caroline Adam Fiona Everett Wendy Wright Jessica L Lee Fabrizio Billi Sophia N Sangiorgio David J Krueger Peter T Miller Harry McKellop Edward Ebramzadeh
Physician data sourced from the
NPPES NPI Registry
.
Publication data from
PubMed
.
Plain-English summaries generated by AI.
Not medical advice.