Solid organ transplantation is a life-changing intervention for individuals with end-stage kidney, liver, pancreas, lung, or heart failure. Numerous studies have shown that transplantation improves survival and quality of life for recipients. However, as the number of transplants performed in Canada continues to increase, greater attention is needed towards understanding other outcomes important to patients, such as ability to work and earn income. There is currently little known about the labour market implications of solid organ transplantation. Previous studies in this area have been survey-based which can be biased due to small sample sizes and self-reported data. We propose to conduct a population-based retrospective cohort study examining income and employment of individuals who have undergone solid organ transplantation. We will leverage a unique dataset that our team has created called the Canadian Hospitalization and Taxation Database. Income, employment, and health data of all solid organ transplant patients in Canada will be derived from a linkage between the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database and the T1 Family File. Analysis will be conducted using advanced econometric and epidemiological methods. This study will be the first of its kind and have a significant impact on the field of transplant medicine.

The student will be expected to conduct a background literature search, develop a protocol, analyze data and prepare a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal for which they will be the first-author. The student will also attend weekly meetings with the research team and provide regular updates on the progress of the project.