Research Interests
Autonomic Dysreflexia; Clinical Research; Fertility; Fertility rehabilitation; Neuroplasticity; Plasticity; Sensory substitution; Sexual rehabilitation; Sperm retrieval
Dr. Elliott’s focus is on outpatient sexual and fertility rehabilitation, and community awareness of sexual health after SCI. She has been an active participant in the Sexual Health Rehabilitation Service for over 30 years dealing with persons with various neurological diagnosis. As part of her work with the Vancouver Sperm Retrieval Clinic, she and her colleagues work to improve sperm retrieval techniques and conception rates in men with ejaculatory disorders. Since the 1980s, their work has enabled approximately 125 children to be born to families living with spinal cord injuries. She has also participated in studies on breastfeeding a peripartum issues in women with SCI with consumer publications and pending international guidelines on breastfeeding and other peripartum issues such as autonomic dysreflexia, mobility and postpartum depression issues after SCI. She also developed, with the Sexual Health Clinician, the Sexual Health module in the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care (PCSC) program in the Prostate Center, aiming to facilitate sexual rehabilitation for men with prostate cancer while also developing survivorship programs as part of a wider approach to dealing with prostate cancer, and continues to assist in a consultative role. The challenges of living with prostate cancer are similar to those of living with SCI, in that sexuality is a high priority and appropriate management can have a positive effect on quality of life. She is now on an International Panel for the TrueNTH Sexual Health Guideline in Prostate Cancer Survivorship funded by Movember. For Dr. Elliott, it is her privilege to be able to work with men with neurological or surgical changes and their partners struggling with such life-changing issues, and see them at their most vulnerable and open. She has gained immeasurable respect for them because of it.