Research Insights &
Knowledge Sharing
Explore our latest publications, empirical research, and professional presentations that drive evidence-based health policy, privacy, and social services research.
Publications
Peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and scholarly contributions.
Online https://share.google/7BKYWOIRe
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Empirical Work
Hands-on studies and analyses that support evidence-based policy and program evaluation.
Owusu Y.: Implementing a privacy culture in a social service organization (work in progress)
Owusu: Cost-benefit analysis of the Pearl project - former youth in care program, Toronto, Ontario
Covel C., Owusu. Y, Neiterman, E., and Bourgeault I.: “Study-Migration Pathway for International Students in Health Science Programs: Likelihood of remaining and employability in Canada following graduation” (Working paper)
Owusu, Y., Grignon, M., and Sweetman, A.: “Decomposing the Earnings Gap between Canadian/US- and Foreign-Trained Dentists: Evidence from the 2006 Canadian Census” (To be submitted to Health Economics Working paper)
Empirical analysis of healthcare services utilization among different ethnic, cultural and racial groups in Canada in repeated cross-sections (over time) (Working paper)
Master’s Thesis: Effects on Agricultural Productivity: Legislative Politics, Genetic Engineering and Environmental Policy in NAFTA Countries (Working paper)
Presentations
Sharing research insights, findings, and knowledge with professionals and organizations worldwide.
Privacy Program Implementation Points 2024 –Presented at the First Knowledge Exchange Meeting of Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs—OASIS Agencies
Initiating a Culture of Privacy, 2021 at Q-Net Provincial Child Welfare Quality Network, Toronto, Ontario (virtual)
Exploring the study-migration pathway for international students: A comparative analysis of health science graduates and other fields of study presented at Canadian Health Workforce Conference 2018: "Ensuring A Fit-For-Purpose Health Workforce" October 3-5, 2018, Gatineau, Quebec
Evaluating the indicators of nursing care presented as CHEPA’s first seminar of the new academic year 2017/18, McMaster University, September 20, 2017, Hamilton, Ontario.
NQuIRE®: Leveraging technology for evidence-based nursing care to improve health outcomes for presentation at the eHealth 2017 Conference, Toronto, Ontario.
Transforming Nursing through Knowledge: An Overview of the IABPG Centre, RNAO. Presentation to Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia-Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova, March 16, 2017, Lleida, Spain.
BPSO Measuring Results: The Power of NQuIRE®, Foscal Nursing Congress Program, July 15th, 2016, Bucaramanga, Colombia
Public Health Ontario “PHO Grand Rounds: RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines – Process and Outcomes” November 21, 2016, Toronto, Ontario.
NQuIRE® International Advisory Council meeting: Nursing Quality Indicators for Reporting and Evaluation linking to the global system, July 2016 and Oct 2016, Toronto, Ontario.
“Decomposing the Earnings Gap between Canadian/US- and Foreign-Trained Dentists: Evidence from the 2006 Canadian Census” presented at Pathways to Prosperity 2015 National Conference, Toronto, Ontario.
“Decomposing the Earnings Gap between Canadian/US- and Foreign-Trained Dentists: Evidence from the 2006 Canadian Census” presented at Annual New Frontiers in Health Policy Conference on April 12, 2014, at McMaster Univ., CIBC Hall, Hamilton, Ontario.
“Retention and integration of Canada-U.S. and foreign-trained degree holders in Canada’s health workforce: Evidence from 2006 Canadian Census” presented at
- Faculty of Health Sciences Research Plenary on May 14-16, 2013 at McMaster Univ., Health Science Library (1st floor) Hamilton, Ontario.
- McMaster University Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics’ (CE&B) 10th Annual Research Day, Friday, March 22, 2013, at the Sheraton Hotel on King Street, Hamilton, Ontario.
- Ontario Health Human Resource Research Network (OHHRRN) Showcase Event, March 1, 2013, Holiday Inn, in Toronto, Ontario.
Findings “Health Professions in Canada: Foreign Born vs. Foreign Educated. Evidence from 2006 Canadian Census” presented at
- The Canada-Australia Research Workshop on Foreign Qualification Recognition - March 20, 2013, Fairmont Waterfront, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
- The Department of Health, Aging, and Society Speaker Series, Wednesday, April 3, 2013, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
Provincial Committee Meetings
Participated in in Ontario health committees to support performance monitoring and evaluation.
Conferences Attended
SAFEGUARDING FUTURES: Embedding Privacy in the Modern Child Welfare Landscape, (York CAS) and (Durham CAS), January 30, 2026.
IPC-Privacy Day: Trustworthy AI in Health: The Promise, Perils, and Protections, MaRS Discovery District, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON, January 28 2026
IAPP Canada Privacy Symposium 2025, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada from May 11 to May 15, 2025.
First Annual Ontario Child Welfare Privacy Symposium (York CAS) and (Durham CAS), January 31, 2025.
The power of PETs: Privacy enhancing technologies, MaRS Discovery District, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON, January 28, 2025
IAPP Canada Privacy Symposium 2024 · Westin Harbour Castle, 1 Harbour Square, Toronto, ON Canada M5J 1A6, June 8, to June 11, 2024
Health Quality Transformation 2015 - Health Quality Ontario (HQO), Toronto, Ontario
International Symposium on performance, audit & feedback to improve healthcare (2016), Ottawa, Ontario
HealthAchieve 2016, Toronto, Ontario
Health Quality Transformation 2016 - Health Quality Ontario (HQO), Toronto, Ontario
e-Health Annual Conference & Tradeshow 2017, Toronto, Ontario
FAQs
YCK Research Group provides consulting in health policy, health economics, privacy, social services, and health systems research. Our expertise includes privacy impact assessments, AI policy development, healthcare utilization and financing, health human resources, economic evaluations, quality improvement, and mixed-methods research.
Our clients include government policymakers, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, community leaders, healthcare institutions, and international development agencies seeking evidence-based policy and program support.
We apply quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research approaches. Our work includes statistical analysis, econometric modelling, predictive modelling, data mining, literature reviews, program evaluation, and health economic analysis.
Yes. We conduct comprehensive Privacy Impact Assessments to identify risks, ensure compliance with Canadian and Ontario privacy legislation (including PIPEDA and PHIPA), and develop safeguards to protect personal information.
Yes. We support organizations in developing responsible AI policies aligned with relevant legislation and ethical standards, ensuring proper governance, transparency, and data protection.
We work with diverse population groups, including visible minorities, Indigenous communities, aging populations, health workers, children, working-age adults, and individuals in acute and chronic health states.
We adhere to the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Research Ethics and follow rigorous methodological standards. Our work emphasizes transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making.
You may submit your research question along with available data and a brief description of your project. We will conduct an initial feasibility assessment and provide a proposal outlining scope, timeline, and market-based fees.