SUMMARY
The research of Michael D. Olson, M.D., is focused on improving patient selection, patient experience, and outcomes in patients undergoing sleep apnea surgery, nasal surgery, aesthetic or cosmetic surgery, and facial trauma surgery. Specifically, Dr. Olson studies the effects of surgery on patients with obstructive sleep apnea, with an emphasis on identifying mechanisms for improving post-surgical outcomes, better meeting patients' expectations and enhancing patient satisfaction.
Dr. Olson's other research interests include factors related to the post-surgical improvement of nasal obstruction in patients undergoing nasal surgery, 3D modeling of patients who have had head and neck trauma, and determinants of satisfaction in patients undergoing aesthetic or cosmetic surgery.
Focus areas
- Sleep apnea surgery. Dr. Olson is working to improve and optimize post-surgical outcomes in patients undergoing sleep apnea surgery. His research focuses on preoperative factors that can predict post-surgical outcomes and on markers of long-term post-surgical success.
- Nasal surgery. Dr. Olson is interested in the factors determining patient complaints regarding nasal obstruction and what factors can be used to determine which patients will and which patients will not have improvement after surgery.
- Pain. Dr. Olson's previous research has investigated medications for improving post-surgical pain in patients undergoing tonsillectomies. He continues to study mechanisms to improve patient comfort after sleep apnea surgery and nasal surgery.
- 3D modeling. Dr. Olson uses Mayo Clinic's 3D Anatomic Modeling Laboratories to improve operative times and post-surgical outcomes for patients who have had facial trauma.
Significance to patient care
Improving sleep apnea surgery outcomes will help people with sleep apnea realize clinically relevant improvements in the downstream effects of this disorder. In addition, abnormalities in nasal form and function, facial concerns, and facial trauma can affect many patients throughout their lives. Research on improving patient satisfaction, patient selection and overall outcomes in these areas of clinical practice is important in optimizing patient care.