Survey of Research Capability at Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Accredited Training Sites

Abstract

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) has more than 200 accredited training sites in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, many of which participate in ANZCA Clinical Trials Network (CTN)–endorsed clinical trials. We undertook a survey of accredited sites to determine research capability, activity and potential. With ethics committee approval an electronic survey was distributed to accredited sites in July 2015. Of 207 accredited sites, 167 were sent the questionnaire (after eliminating ineligible sites) and 128 responded. Response rates for Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore were 100%, 100%, 35%, 25% and 75% respectively. Forty-four (34%) of 128 responding sites had a head of research; 101 (80%) of 126 responding sites were active in research; 42 (33%) of 126 responding sites had no publications since January 2011 and 15 (12%) had >50 publications; 95 (76%) of 125 responding sites had at least one specialist anaesthetist engaged in research (median = 4 [range 1–25]); and 45 (36%) of 125 responding sites had at least one research coordinator (median = 2 [range 1–15]). Fifty-eight (28%) of the 207 accredited sites were identified as participating in recent ANZCA CTN–endorsed clinical trials. Research capability and activity were higher in these sites. This survey has identified a strong base upon which to expand clinical trial activity, and regions, sectors, investigators and research coordinators who may benefit from additional support.

Research capacity of Australian and New Zealand emergency medicine departments, 2019 survey

“…This is the first description of the emergency medicine research landscape in Australia and New Zealand. Our findings were similar to the ANZICS research capacity study (15). Emergency medicine has a higher rate of appointment of a head of research (66% ED, 34% ANZICS), and these researchers have similar levels of skills and experience.…”

“…The survey was developed and piloted internally by the authors, being adapted from the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) survey (15), see Appendix 1. Survey instrument.…”

Out of Africa: three generalisable lessons about clinical research

“…2 Respondents were motivated by a desire to establish a research culture, interact with other investigators, improve patient outcomes, and develop professionally. Despite differences in the resources available for research, 18 these results echo those of surveys of Fellows of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists 5 and doctors in the UK, 19 where responders identified contributing to the evidence base, improving patient outcomes, and gaining intellectual stimulation as drivers for participating in research. However, intrinsic motivations may be insufficient to sustain engagement.…”

Growing the next generation of anaesthesia research leaders

“…25 The bureaucracy associated with research has exploded beyond the capacity of many clinical anaesthetists and requires the help of trial coordinators. 26 All these factors can make it difficult for aspiring researchers to break in.…”

“…32 The Network recently undertook a survey of all Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists training sites to establish a baseline of our research capability. 26 Twenty eight percent of sites are participating in Clinical Trials Network endorsed clinical trials; 18% had at least one research leader and 46% had at least one emerging research leader. These emerging leaders were invited to a workshop on leadership, to participate in a mentorship program, which matches an experienced researcher with an emerging researcher for a two-yr period, and to pitch clinical trial ideas at the Network's annual strategic workshop.…”