Alan R. Tait, PhD

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Alumni

Dr. Tait is the Department of Anesthesiology Endowed Professor of Clinical Research. Dr. Tait is a former long-standing member of the Institutional Review Board and a current member of the Medical School Admissions Executive Committee. In addition, Dr. Tait is the Chair of the Research Committee for the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia.

Dr. Tait is currently involved in NIH-funded studies (NICHD and NHBLI) to develop strategies to improve the communication of informed consent to adult patients, parents, and children. Current studies suggest that many patients and research subjects have limited understanding of the elements of consent and therefore may not be truly informed. It is hoped that this research will be important in enhancing understanding and ensuring that the legal and ethical rights of patients and research subjects are protected.

Dr. Tait also continues to be involved with studies examining the effects of general anesthesia on outcomes in children who present for surgery with a variety of risk factors including upper respiratory tract infections, obesity, and sleep-disordered breathing.  This work has identified several risk factors for children undergoing elective surgery and suggests ways in which the anesthetic management of these children can be optimized.