Extending the EM Evidence Base
Despite over 8 million ED attendances per annum in Australia and New Zealand, emergency treatment options, particularly for critically ill patients, are rarely based on high level evidence.
Answering clinical questions that deliver the best care to patients is dependent upon clinical trial networks that generate high-quality, multi-centre clinical research in areas of uncertainty. In order to support the work of entities such as the ACEM Clinical Trials Network, baseline knowledge of our research capacity is essential.
A survey of ACEM-accredited Emergency Departments will this week begin to reveal the capacity for multi-site clinical research in Australia and New Zealand.
Aims of the Survey
Led by ACEM CTN Executive member A/Prof Katie Walker, with in-kind resourcing and ethics supervision provided by Cabrini Health, the study will describe current research capacity at accredited EDs. It will quantify the numbers of established and emerging researchers, identify current resources supporting EM research, and determine EM research funding sources in Australia and New Zealand.
The College believes that high quality patient care includes research as a fundamental component of ED activity. Reflective practice involves constant evaluation of treatment and processes and should be an integral part of clinical care for all practitioners. The data from this survey will help to inform decisions in the next few years on how to allocate resources to stimulate new research, develop researchers and enhance site capabilities.
How You Can Help
From today, self-identified ‘Research Leads’ will be contacted via an electronic survey (or follow-up phone call) to determine each department’s current researchers and levels of research training, support/resources, publications and funding.
The survey is not being conducted by the College and participants are assured that this study is totally independent of any accreditation or evaluation process. The College does, however, encourage all sites contacted to support this important piece of work, notwithstanding that participation in the survey is completely voluntary.