Sharon Gabison

Dr. Gabison is a physical therapist and the Hallisey Affiliate Scientist in pressure injury and home care research at KITE, Toronto Rehab – University Health Network. Her research is focused on the development and evaluation of tools and technologies to support individuals at risk of developing pressure injuries and the caregivers who support them. This interdisciplinary research combines engineering, computer science and healthcare and takes place in the community, in rehabilitation settings and in complex continuing care environments.  Dr. Gabison uses both quantitative and qualitative methods and approaches while engaging patients, families, caregivers and the community throughout the research cycle. Through this research, the hope is to equip individuals at risk of developing pressure injuries and the caregivers who support them with tools and technologies in order to reduce unnecessary pain and suffering. 

Dr. Gabison’s current research projects for pressure injury prevention include 1) testing the PrIME (Pressure Injury Management and Education) system in the home and long-term care environments, 2) Understanding the educational needs of individuals and their caregivers as it relates to pressure injury prevention and management, 3) Developing smart based textiles to mitigate the effects of immobility and disease and 4) Developing of a modified Braden Scale for caregivers. Dr. Gabison has also been involved in the development of Pressure Ulcer Target, a novel educational App for individuals living with Spinal Cord Injury at risk of developing Pressure Injuries.

Recent Publications:

1. Francis, GL; Jansen van Vuuren, J; Gaurav, N; Aldersey, HM; Gabison, S; Davidson, CM. (2021). Original Research: "Collaboration Between Schools and Families who have Children with Disabilities During COVID-19: An Exploratory Investigation in Ontario, Canada". Network for International Policies and Cooperations in Education and Training. Special Issue(6): p 48.
2. Wright Stein, M; Alexander, R; Mann, J; Schneider, C; Zhang, S; Gibson, BE; Gabison, S; Jachyra, P; Mosleh, D. (2021). Original Research: "Understanding disability in healthcare: Exploring the perceptions of parents of young people with autism spectrum disorder". Disability and Rehabilitation. July 7: 1-8.
3. Wong, G; Gabison, S; Dolatabadi, E; Evans, E; Kajaks, T; Holliday, P; Alshaer, H; Fernie, G; Dutta, T. (2020). Original Research: "Toward Mitigating Pressure Injuries: Detecting Patient Orientation from Vertical Bed Reaction Forces". Journal of rehabilitation and assistive technologies engineering. 7: 1-12.
4. Shirai,T; Bulandres, P; Choi, J; D’Ortenzio, D; Moon, D; Musselman, K; Gabison, S. (2020). Original Research: "The use of a mobile educational tool on pressure injury education for individuals living with spinal cord injury/disease: a qualitative research study,". Disability and Rehabilitation. June 4: 1-10.
5. Gabison, S; Mathur, S; Nussbaum, E; Popovic, M; Verrier, M. (2019). Original Research: "The relationship between pressure offloading and ischial tissue health in individuals with spinal cord injury: An exploratory study". Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. 42(Sup1): 186-195.
6. Gabison, S; Hayes, K; Campbell, K; Swaine, J; Craven, C. (2019). Original Research: "Ultrasound Imaging of Tissue Overlying the Ischial Tuberosity: Does Patient Position Matter?". Journal of Tissue Viability. 28(4): 179-185.
7. Gabison, S; Mathur, S; Verrier, M; Nussbaum, E; Popovic, M; Gagnon, D. (2018). Original Research: "Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging Over the Ischial Tuberosity: An Exploratory Study to Inform Tissue Health". Journal of Tissue Viability. 27(3): 173-180`.

Honours & Awards

• Feb 2021 - Jan 2024 | Hallisey Affiliate Scientist in Pressure Injury and Homecare Research ($217,000 awarded)
• Jan 2021 - Dec 2022 | Instructional Technology Innovation Fund -  Centre for Teaching Support and Innovation, University of Toronto ($20,000 awarded)
• Nov 2021 | Ministry of Health, COVID 19 Grant - KITE, Toronto Rehab – UHN, PrIME Educational Interface ($2,500 awarded)
• Nov 2021 | Open Research Grant - Wounds Canada ($1,000 awarded)
• Nov 2021 | 2^nd Place Winner Poster Presentation, 9^th Annual Canadian Spinal Cord Injury - Rehabilitation Association Conference
• 2021 | Recognition Award - Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto
• Aug 2020 | 3MT Second Place Winner, 3 Minute Trainee Competition -  KITE, Toronto Rehab – University Health Network ( $400 awarded)
• Dec 2020 - Nov 2021 | Pillar Sponsorship - University of Toronto, Alumni Relations ($6,000 awarded)
• Nov 2020 | Angels’ Den People’s Choice Award ($50,000 awarded)