Development of a productive research culture in emergency medicine: Report of the outcomes of a research forum

Abstract

In recent years, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) has increasingly focused on the need for high-quality research in emergency medicine (EM). One important initiative was the establishment of the ACEM Foundation, which among other responsibilities, is required to support clinical research through the provision of research funding and other measures. In February 2015, the Foundation held a Research Forum that was attended by the leading EM researchers from Australasia. The Forum aimed to determine how a productive research culture could be developed within the ACEM. Nine key objectives were determined including that research should be a core business of the ACEM and a core activity of the EM workforce, and that EM research should be sustainable and adequately supported. This report describes the background and conduct of the Forum, its recommendations and the way in which they could be implemented.

The TARGET pain study: Lessons from a painful marathon

“…We recommend these be at both departmental and ACEM level. At the ACEM Research Forum in February 2015 a proposal for a formal Director of Emergency Medicine Research scheme was put to ACEM . ACEM must take the lead on this; as without encouragement, individual hospitals are unlikely to fund these positions, especially when faced with constant budgetary difficulties.…”

Is audit the answer? Formally including research and audit in emergency medicine practice better equips us for future clinical and political challenges

“…In our case, the first step was achieved from a combination of individual effort, extra funding from bodies like the Queensland Emergency Medicine Research Foundation and an inaugural College Foundation Research Forum held in Melbourne on 20 February 2015 …”

“…The College Research Forum discussed the concept of establishing the position of a Director of Emergency Medicine Research to parallel the structure of the long‐established role of our Director of Emergency Medical Training (DEMT) . I think this concept should be expanded and renamed as the Director of Emergency Medicine Research and Audit (DEMRA).…”

“…1 In our case, the first step was achieved from a combination of individual effort, extra funding from bodies like the Queensland Emergency Medicine Research Foundation 2,3 and an inaugural College Foundation Research Forum held in Melbourne on 20 February 2015. 4 I am confident that for the second step, there will be a consensus that our end-goal is to improve the care of patients being treated in EDs in Australasia. I will add that we should also be more interested in the safety and wellbeing of our own staff than we currently are.…”

“…The College Research Forum discussed the concept of establishing the position of a Director of Emergency Medicine Research to parallel the structure of the long-established role of our Director of Emergency Medical Training (DEMT). 4 I think this concept should be expanded and renamed as the Director of Emergency Medicine Research and Audit (DEMRA). In larger departments, two people may be needed, as is currently the case with Emergency Medicine training with one focusing on research and audit and the other on clinical practice and audit.…”