This year has seen the creation of two new sections within the college, the Clinical Trials Network (CTN) and the Emergency Department Epidemiology Network (EDEN). The symposium aimed to bring together emergency researchers affiliated with the CTN and EDEN to discuss collaborative multi centre research in EDs across Australia and New Zealand. Over 40 attendees took part.
The event kicked off with a networking dinner at the Franklin Bar on the Thursday evening which was an ideal opportunity for people to get to know each other before getting down to business the following day.
The focus of the symposium was on the practical aspects of delivering research in the ED setting, and building our collective research capacity. The day started with a presentation of a survey of current research capacity in our region. A number of talks followed on topics including organisation aspects of a research network, funding, collaboration and clinical registries. Participants then presented proposals for research projects and invited comments from the audience.
The diversity of research reflected the nature of EM and included topic such as paediatric self-harm, fluid resuscitation in sepsis, toxicology, artificial intelligence to predict patient disposition and managing non-cardiac chest pain.
The science was of high quality and all generated keen discussion. The day concluded with an workshop on ways EDEN and the CTN can build capacity and achieve their objectives of broadening the base for research and clinical registries in EM across Australia and New Zealand.
The organising committee wish to thank the ACEM events team, the speakers and the participants who all contributed to a highly successful event.