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"Walking together in kindness" artwork produced for Gold Coast Health by Riki Salam, We are 27 Creative.
Congratulations to emergency consultant Dr Neil who is taking on his first research project.
Dr Neil was recently awarded a $35,000 Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) grant to conduct a study, which aims to strengthen the evidence base for managing chest trauma and chest drain insertion.
The research project will be the first step towards what will eventually be a randomised controlled trial.
“At the moment, there's a lot of variation in practice depending on the clinician, the patient and other factors,” Dr Neil said.
“There’s the option for conservative management, a small drain or a large drain. This research is hopefully the first step towards developing more consistent practice, not only locally but across Australia.”
Researchers will interview both clinicians and patients to explore their perspectives on chest trauma treatment and their willingness to participate in a future clinical trial. The study will examine approaches towards chest trauma management, including conservative treatment, small chest drains and large chest drains.
The project will run over the next year and help guide a pilot trial involving both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast health services.
As principal investigator, Dr Neil will lead a team of 16 researchers including trauma surgeons, emergency medicine specialists and consumer co-investigators.
“All up, we're aiming to conduct approximately 150 surveys and interviews with both patients and clinicians,” Dr Neil said.
The surveys will be distributed to clinicians across Australia who have been involved in managing chest trauma, and to patients who have received a chest drain within the previous 12 months.
“The findings will help guide the design of a future trial where patients will be randomised to different techniques,” he said.
“The ultimate goal is to develop more consistent, evidence-based treatment approaches that improve patient outcomes, reduce complications and shorten hospital stays.”
Dr Neil will be supported by the established Gold Coast Health Research team, led by Director Dr Gerben Keijzers.
“We are really lucky at Gold Coast Health to have the Emergency Department Collaborative Research Group,” Dr Neil said.
“These expert researchers support staff throughout their research projects to ensure high quality, person-centred outcomes.”
Dr Neil was among five Gold Coast Health emergency department members who secured Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) grants.
