The Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN): A decade of global research cooperation in paediatric emergency care

Abstract

Objectives The Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN) was launched in 2009 with the intent for existing national and regional research networks in paediatric emergency care to organise globally for the conduct of collaborative research across networks. Methods PERN has grown from five to eight member networks over the past decade. With an executive committee comprising representatives from all member networks, PERN plays a supportive and collaborative rather than governing role. The full impact of PERN's facilitation of international collaborative research, although somewhat difficult to quantify empirically, can be measured indirectly by the observed growth of the field, the nature of the increasingly challenging research questions now being addressed and the collective capacity to generate and implement new knowledge in treating acutely ill and injured children. Results Beginning as a pandemic response studying H1N1 influenza risk factors in children, PERN research has progressed to multiple observational studies and ongoing global randomised controlled trials (RCTs). As a recent example, PERN has developed sufficient network infrastructure to enable the rapid initiation of a prospective observational study in response to the current COVID‐19 pandemic. Conclusions Following its success with developing global research, the PERN goal now is to promote the implementation of scientific advances into everyday clinical practice by: (i) expanding the capacity for global RCTs; (ii) deepening the focus on implementation science; (iii) increasing attention to healthcare disparities; and (iv) expanding PERN's reach into resource‐restricted regions. Through these actions, PERN aims to meet the needs of acutely ill and injured children throughout the world.

Analysis of guideline recommendations for treatment of asthma exacerbations in children: a Pediatric Emergency Research Networks (PERN) study

“…Physicians and hospitals were invited to participate in the study by email (October 2018) via the eight partner networks that belong to PERN, and to the members of the PERN asthma working group. The PERN comprises the following networks: Research in European Paediatric Emergency Medicine; Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) and Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics (PEM-CRC) from the USA; Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC); Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) from Australia and New Zealand; Paediatric Emergency Research in the United Kingdom & Ireland (PERUKI); Red de Investigación de la Sociedad Española de Urgencias de Pediatría/Spanish Pediatric Emergency Research Group (RISEUP/SPERG); and Red de Investigacion y Desarrollo de la Emergencia Pediatrica en Latinoamerica 21…”

“…This was an observational study of acute paediatric asthma guidelines from institutions Red de Investigacion y Desarrollo de la Emergencia Pediatrica en Latinoamerica (RIDEPLA). [21] The email recipients were invited to forward the email to other physicians and hospitals within their local geographic region and/or research network. The request for participation was also shared on social media.…”

Remote expert elicitation to determine the prior probability distribution for Bayesian sample size determination in international randomized controlled trials: Bronchiolitis in Infants Placebo Versus Epinephrine and Dexamethasone (BIPED) Study

“…The BIPED study is a phase III, multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial within the Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN) (32) to determine whether the combination of inhaled epinephrine and oral dexamethasone (EpiDex) is successful at reducing hospitalisation within the seven days following an initial presentation to an ED with bronchiolitis. The BIPED study is enrolling participants across 12 international sites; 6 in Canada, 3 in New Zealand and 3 in Australia.…”

The Pediatric Emergency Research Network: a decade old and growing

“…Despite the advances made by the individual networks in research pertaining to acutely ill and injured children, there was a clear need to generate and implement research evidence beyond the possibilities afforded by the existing geographically-focused networks. To mark the occasion of Emergency Medicine Day 2021, here we briefly summarize the content of a recent PERN publication [3] on its history, achievements and challenges in addressing global health issues in PEC research over the past decade along with a vision for the future, including European-specific efforts.…”