Basic Information

Name: Bryan Sisk
Title: Assistant Professor
Institution: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Discipline: Medicine
Years of experience: 6

Research

Primary methodological research approach:

• Oncology
• Patient–provider relationship

Focus of research in communication and healthcare:

• Co-design
• Delphi and consensus finding methods
• Qualitative methods
• Systematic literature review

Description

Three keywords describing expertise and interest:

1. rare disease
2. cancer
3. pediatrics

Description of field of expertise, major interests, and consultation topics:

Dr. Sisk’s research focuses on communication and the role of evolving technologies in the care of patients with cancer and rare diseases. His team developed the first functional model of communication in pediatric oncology, and have since adapted this model to other serious pediatric illnesses. His team also developed the first validated measure of these communication functions in pediatric oncology. His current studies are exploring how to best leverage online patient portals to improve communication and support medical management of children with serious illnesses. He is also leading studies that aim to retrain large language model (LLM) powered chatbots to provide high-quality information to families affected by rare diseases. His clinical expertise is vascular anomalies, and he serves as co-director of both the Vascular Anomalies Center and HHT Center of Excellence at Washington University in St. Louis, as well as Membership Chair for the Consortium of Investigators for Vascular Anomalies.

Brief biography:

BRYAN SISK is an assistant professor in Department of Pediatrics’ Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine, with a joint appointment in the Bioethics Research Center in the Department of Medicine. Sisk completed his MD at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, and completed his subsequent clinical training at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University. Dr. Sisk also completed the Mentored Training Program in Clinical Investigation (MTPCI) and earned a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) from Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Sisk’s research focuses on communication and the role of evolving technologies in the care of patients with cancer and rare diseases. His team developed the first functional model of communication in pediatric oncology, and have since adapted this model to other serious pediatric illnesses. His team also developed the first validated measure of these communication functions in pediatric oncology. His current studies are exploring how to best leverage online patient portals to improve communication and support medical management of children with serious illnesses. He is also leading studies that aim to retrain large language model (LLM) powered chatbots to provide high-quality information to families affected by rare diseases. His clinical expertise is vascular anomalies, and he serves as co-director of both the Vascular Anomalies Center and HHT Center of Excellence at Washington University in St. Louis, as well as Membership Chair for the Consortium of Investigators for Vascular Anomalies.