Tegwen Howell
Emergency Medicine Foundation, Australia
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Emerg Med
Conducting research in the emergency care setting is challenging. Potential issues such as acuity of potential participants, inability to obtain consent in the traditional manner and the very nature of delivering emergency care, impact the execution of research. Research Support Networks (RSNs) offer a potential solution to overcoming barriers to emergency care-based research. Various models have been adopted across Canada, United Kingdom and the USA. The Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) was established in 2007 to support emergency medicine research across Queensland. In 2014, EMF established the RSN in a response to a lack of capacity and research support in emergency departments. It was devised to provide leadership, support and collaborative opportunities for emergency care research professionals. EMFs RSN model is different to networks in other countries as it operates as a hub and spoke model that facilitates multi-disciplinary collaboration and translation of knowledge to strengthen all emergency medicine care. Research Development Managers (RDMs) work across multiple Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) to expand and enhance emergency care research. All RDMs are required to capture key performance data to enable the RSN Manager to monitor increases and changes in research activities. After two full years of operation, the RSN was evaluated using an observational study of research activity metrics. Through the RSN there has been an increase in emergency medicine research activity across Queensland and not limited to those HHSs directly covered by a RDM. In total 12/16 HHS are now involved in research, either directly as the lead HHS or as a collaborating HHS. With support from the RSN, rural and remote sites that have limited exposure to research activities have become involved with projects lead by senior clinicianâ??s at large tertiary hospitals.
Tegwen Howell is commenced as a Manager, Research Support Network (RSN), Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF), in July 2014 and is responsible for a team whose role is to expand and enhance the scope of emergency medicine research. She has over 55 years of health research experience in Australia and Canada. She has worked across the health spectrum, including public health, health economics, health policy, health technology assessment and clinical research. She also has experience in disaster management and recovery in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, including the short and long term mental health impact of natural disasters.
E-mail: tegwen.howell@emfoundation.org.au
