Research and Academic Contributions
Join Our Team
Motivated students and trainees are invited to contact us for hands-on spine surgery research opportunities. Alongside our core team, medical students, residents, and fellows contribute to impactful publications, presentations, and program growth. We’re passionate about mentoring future clinician-scientists—reach out to advance both your career and our shared mission in spinal health.
Our contact details:
Curriculum Vitae's may be sent directly to Dr Oitment to the email address below.
Research Focus
Alongside being a spine surgeon, Dr. Colby Oitment is a clinical researcher who has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presented at national and international conferences. He serves as a reviewer for top journals like Spine Journal and The European Spine Journal, and is an active member of the AO Spine Deformity Steering Committee, contributing to the advancement of spine research and improving patient outcomes.
Deep Surgical Site Infections
Dr. Oitment’s research examines the impact of deep surgical site infections (SSIs) following spine surgery, which can significantly increase morbidity, healthcare costs, and recovery challenges. His work highlights the need for standardized protocols to manage these infections effectively. By analyzing infection rates and management strategies, his team aims to reduce complications and improve long-term outcomes.
Informed Consent & Comprehension
This research explores gaps in patient understanding of surgical consent, particularly for those facing language barriers. Effective communication is critical for informed decision-making, yet disparities persist in how risks and benefits are conveyed. Dr. Oitment’s team investigates strategies to bridge these gaps, ensuring equitable care and empowering patients to participate actively in their treatment plans.
Mental Health & Surgical Outcomes
Dr. Oitment’s studies reveal that psychological distress affects spine surgery patients and correlates with poorer recovery outcomes and higher complication rates. His work emphasizes preoperative mental health screening and interventions to mitigate risks and enhance postoperative quality of life.
Barriers to Success in Spinal Oncology
Focusing on metastatic spinal disease, this research identifies systemic challenges such as delayed multidisciplinary coordination and limited treatment accessibility. Patient-specific factors, including comorbidities and socioeconomic disparities, further complicate care. By addressing these barriers, Dr. Oitment’s lab aims to optimize care pathways and improve survival and functional outcomes for spinal oncology patients.ShareExportRewrite
Additional Research Interests
In addition to these projects, we have broad interests and expertise in clinical outcomes research, qualitative methods, prospective cohort studies, and health services research.
