Dr. McKibbin studies how countries can work together to improve their economies, especially during tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights that providing financial support to struggling economies could significantly boost their growth, benefiting workers and businesses alike. Additionally, he researches medical procedures, specifically examining how changes in techniques can enhance foot and ankle function through surgeries designed to relieve muscle tightness. He also explores advanced imaging methods to produce clearer pictures that can help doctors diagnose vascular conditions more effectively.
Key findings
Emerging market economies could see a 2.5% increase in growth in the first year with additional financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patients experienced substantial improvements in foot function after gastrocnemius recession surgery, with a meaningful increase in ankle movement of 11 degrees after six months.
Using triggered imaging techniques improved the clarity of abdominal MRI images by 27.4%, compared to only 11.8% from non-triggered methods.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. McKibbin study economic conditions like COVID-19?
Yes, he examines macroeconomic cooperation and how countries can support each other during pandemics to improve economic growth.
What treatments has Dr. McKibbin researched?
He has researched surgical procedures like gastrocnemius recession, which helps improve foot and ankle function for patients with calf muscle tightness.
Is Dr. McKibbin's work relevant to patients undergoing imaging tests?
Absolutely, his research on advanced imaging techniques helps improve the quality of MRI images, which is vital for diagnosing vascular conditions.
Publications in plain English
Global macroeconomic cooperation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a roadmap for the G20 and the IMF.
2020
Oxford review of economic policy
McKibbin W, Vines D
Plain English This paper studied the need for global cooperation among countries to tackle the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that if emerging market economies receive additional financial support, their economic growth could increase by about 2.5% in the first year, while the growth in other countries would rise by over 1%. This matters because many countries are struggling under high debt, and international support could prevent economic crises and promote a faster recovery.
Who this helps: This helps countries with high debt levels and their economies, including workers and businesses.
Functional Outcomes of Isolated Gastrocnemius Recession.
2018
Journal of surgical orthopaedic advances
Messerschmidt C, Netto A, Barfield WR, Gross C, McKibbin W
Plain English This study examined the effects of a surgical procedure called gastrocnemius recession on patients' strength and foot function. It found that after the surgery, patients experienced significant improvements: their foot function scores increased substantially (with a meaningful p-value of .001) and they had 11 degrees more ankle movement after six months (p-value of .018). These findings are important because they show that the surgery can lead to better walking and overall foot health for people affected by certain muscles pulling too tightly in the calf.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with calf muscle tightness affecting their foot and ankle function.
Aortoiliac imaging by projective phase sensitive MR angiography: effects of triggering and timing of data acquisition on image quality.
1990
Magnetic resonance imaging
Lanzer P, McKibbin W, Bohning D, Thorn B, Gross G +3 more
Plain English This study looked at how effective a special type of MRI called projective phase-sensitive MR angiography is for imaging blood vessels in the abdomen, specifically the aortoiliac area. Researchers tested 18 healthy volunteers and found that the triggered imaging method produced better results—27.4% of the images were clear and useful compared to only 11.8% with the non-triggered method. These findings are important because they show that using the right timing for capturing images significantly improves the quality of the MRI, which can help in diagnosing vascular conditions.
Who this helps: This helps doctors by providing them with clearer images to better diagnose patients with vascular issues.
Quantitation of abdominal aortic wall dynamics in man by gradient echo NMR imaging.
1990
Magnetic resonance in medicine
Lanzer P, McKibbin W, Bohning D, Pohost G
Plain English Researchers studied how the walls of the abdominal aorta move during the heartbeat in 10 healthy volunteers, averaging 42.5 years old. They found that the aorta experiences significant movement, with a total displacement of up to 3.39 millimeters during the cardiac cycle. This movement can affect how clearly we see the edges of the aorta in imaging tests, suggesting that techniques synchronized with the heartbeat could help improve the quality of these images.
Who this helps: Patients undergoing vascular imaging tests.