Our research centers on evaluating and improving the patient experience with novel technologies in cardiac care with a focus on quality of life.
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Patient Outcomes in Healthcare
We are currently focusing on improving patient quality of life and outcomes through conducting research on the patient-provider relationship and patient-centered care.
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Quality of LIfe
Dr. Sears is a nationally recognized expert in the psychological care and quality of life outcomes of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients.
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Cardic Devices
In 2021, Expertscape.com named Dr. Sears one of the top 50 experts/ prolific authors in the world on implantable defibrillators over the last 10 years amongst the 27,847 authors on the topic.
Current Projects
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Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Using His/Left Bundle Pacing vs. Left Ventricular Epicardial Pacing in Patients with Heart Failure
We will be collaborating on this project with Baylor College of Medicine that has been awarded a grant by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.
Atrial Fibrillation and Aortic Dissection
We are examining lifestyle factors in order to develop novel behavioral interventions, aided by the use of activity-tracking wearable devices, with the goal of improving patient outcomes. We are also interested in the impact of cardiac devices on patient’s psychological well-being. A particular area of interest is shock anxiety in those with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Currently, our states of interest include atrial fibrillation and aortic dissections.