The Pediatric Emergency Research Network

Abstract

Objectives The Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN) was launched in 2009 with the intent for existing national and regional research networks in pediatric emergency care to organize globally for the conduct of collaborative research across networks. Methods The Pediatric Emergency Research Network has grown from 5- to 8-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 with a high-quality retrospective case-controlled study of H1N1 influenza risk factors, PERN research has progressed to multiple observational studies and ongoing global randomized controlled trials. 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 coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In light of the ongoing need for translation of research knowledge into equitable clinical practice and to promote health equity, PERN is committed to a coordinated international effort to increase the uptake of evidence-based management of common and treatable acute conditions in all emergency department settings. Conclusions The Pediatric Emergency Research Network's successes with global research, measured by prospective observational and interventional studies, mean that the network can now move to improve its ability to promote the implementation of scientific advances into everyday clinical practice. Achieving this goal will involve focus in 4 areas: (1) expanding the capacity for global randomized controlled trials; (2) deepening the focus on implementation science; (3) increasing attention to healthcare disparities and their origins, with growing momentum toward equity; and (4) expanding PERN's global reach through addition of sites and networks from resource-restricted regions. Through these actions, PERN will be able to build on successes to face the challenges ahead and meet the needs of acutely ill and injured children throughout the world.

Multicentre Delphi study of physicians resulted in quality indicators for young infants with fever without source in emergency departments

“…The Network aims to foster high‐quality multi‐institutional research on the prevention and treatment of diseases and acute injuries in children and adolescents 10 . It is also one of the multicentre research networks affiliated with Paediatric Emergency Research Networks 11 …”

“…10 It is also one of the multicentre research networks affiliated with Paediatric Emergency Research Networks. 11 First, we formed a main working group comprising five panelists with expertise in research on febrile infants. [12][13][14][15] They conducted a literature search and a reading of the most relevant papers published since 2010 on febrile infants, 2,7,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] with special interest in the practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics.…”

Core outcomes and factors influencing the experience of care for children with severe acute exacerbations of asthma: a qualitative study

“…Emails inviting physicians and hospitals to participate were distributed via the seven partner networks that contribute to PERN, 10 and to clinicians associated with the PERN asthma working group. 4 Hospitals were asked to register with the study steering committee, which then determined participation on the basis of each hospital's ability to conduct the patient interviews, and overall diversity (geographic, health system and sociodemographic differences) of hospitals selected.…”

“…It is possible that including patients and families from additional settings would generate additional outcomes. However, we recruited participants from all constituent networks of PERN, 10 and data saturation was reached.…”

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.…”