Natalie N. Merchant

University of California, Los Angeles

Papers

1

Total Citations

42

H-Index

1

About

Natalie N. Merchant is a leading thoracic surgeon and health services researcher whose work centers on improving surgical outcomes for lung cancer patients. Her major contributions lie in leveraging large-scale national databases to evaluate and compare the quality of care across different surgical approaches. Her landmark study, "Short‐Term Readmissions After Open, Thoracoscopic, and Robotic Lobectomy for Lung Cancer Based on the Nationwide Readmissions Database," published in 2019, has garnered 42 citations. This work critically analyzed readmission rates—a key quality metric—by comparing open, video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS), and robotic lobectomies using the Nationwide Readmissions Database. By providing robust, population-level evidence on postoperative outcomes, Merchant’s research directly informs clinical decision-making and surgical best practices. Her findings help surgeons and patients weigh the risks and benefits of minimally invasive versus traditional approaches, ultimately aiming to reduce complications and improve recovery. Through her rigorous use of big data analytics in thoracic surgery, Natalie N. Merchant has established herself as a vital voice in the push for evidence-based, patient-centered surgical care.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

1
H-Index
1
Papers
42
Total Citations
42
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Short‐Term Readmissions After Open, Thoracoscopic, and Robotic Lobectomy for Lung Cancer Based on the Nationwide Readmissions Database
42 citations · 2019
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2019 (1 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 5
🏛 Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles

Top Papers

  1. 1

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 12 days ago