Research & Academic Contributions
Dr. McQuillan’s research focuses on improving healthcare quality, patient safety, and clinical outcomes in nephrology and general medicine.
Download Rory's CVOverview of Research & Scholarship
Dr. McQuillan has published extensively in leading peer-reviewed medical journals and has contributed chapters to nephrology and internal medicine textbooks. His work has been presented at major international conferences, and he has been invited as a speaker at academic institutions worldwide.
His research has focused on improving healthcare quality and patient safety, with particular emphasis on practical interventions that enhance patient outcomes in nephrology and general medicine.
Research Interests
Dr. McQuillan’s academic interests reflect his commitment to advancing patient care through evidence-based practice, clinical innovation, and high-quality medical education.
-
Healthcare Quality Improvement & Patient Safety
Research focused on developing practical interventions that reduce risk, streamline care pathways, and improve patient outcomes.
-
Dialysis and Kidney Replacement Therapy
Work examining best practices in dialysis delivery, safety processes, and quality improvement within haemodialysis units.
-
Medical Education and Simulation-based Learning
Research exploring the effectiveness of simulation, scenario-based training, and competency development for medical trainees.
-
Point-of-care Ultrasound
Investigations into training models and clinical integration of ultrasound to enhance bedside diagnosis and decision-making.
-
Interventional Nephrology
Research into procedural safety, training, and outcomes related to vascular access and other interventional nephrology practices.
-
Polypharmacy and Deprescribing
Studies aimed at reducing medication burden, improving safety, and optimising pharmacological care for complex patients.
Selected Publications
Below is a selection of Dr. McQuillan’s peer-reviewed research, reflecting his focus on quality improvement, patient safety, and innovation in nephrology care.
- Read the full paper
Targeted Deprescribing in an Outpatient Hemodialysis Unit: A Study to Decrease Polypharmacy
This study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of systematically reducing unnecessary medications in dialysis patients. It provided validated algorithms for deprescribing in the hemodialysis population and supported improved medication safety without compromising clinical stability.
- Read the full paper
Choosing Wisely: The Canadian Society of Nephrology’s List of 5 Items Physicians and Patients Should Question
This paper outlines the methodology and rationale behind the Canadian Society of Nephrology’s Choosing Wisely recommendations. It describes the evidence-based process used to identify low-value tests and treatments in nephrology.
- Read the full paper
How to Measure and Interpret Quality Improvement Data
Part of a commissioned four-part ‘how-to’ series for nephrologists, this paper provides practical guidance on measuring, analysing and interpreting quality improvement data in clinical settings.
- Read the full paper
Performance of Temporary Hemodialysis Catheter Insertion by Nephrology Fellows and Attending Nephrologists
This study compared the procedural performance of nephrology trainees and attending nephrologists in temporary hemodialysis catheter insertion. It challenged traditional apprenticeship assumptions and supported simulation-based mastery learning.
- Read the full paper
Benefits of a Transfer Clinic in Adolescent and Young Adult Kidney Transplant Patients
This study demonstrated improved adherence and clinical outcomes following the introduction of a structured transition clinic for adolescent kidney transplant recipients moving to adult care.