Research
We provide a thriving academic environment for Emergency Medicine trainees. Most of the hospitals in the region are actively involved in high-quality research and there is a regional critical appraisal training programme. The majority of trainees become involved in the recruitment of patients to funded multicentre trials, and there is also support to develop individual research projects. Previous trainees have completed Masters Degrees in Health Research or postgraduate qualifications in Medical Education, with a small number undertaking doctoral theses.
The Academic Department of Emergency Care is directed by Professor Jonathan Benger. It was founded as a joint venture between University Hospitals Bristol and the University of the West of England in 2005 and employs a wide range of staff engaged in emergency care research including two National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Academic Clinical Fellows. EM trainees are actively encouraged to become involved in the Academic Department, which has a strong presence in both the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Bristol Children’s Hospital. Key research interests include:
- Resuscitation and emergency airway management
- Pre-hospital care and ambulance design
- Acute pain management
- Early diagnosis of urgent and emergency care conditions, particularly sepsis
- The impact of drugs and alcohol
There is a regional academic meeting held every Spring at which trainees are encouraged to present research proposals and completed work. Formal feedback is provided to all participants, many of whom go on to present their work at the major EM meetings.