EMS World and the PCRF Announce Partnership Based on Science
It is our pleasure to announce EMS World has partnered with the Prehospital Care Research Forum (PCRF).
At the core of every EMS provider is the drive to save lives and provide the best care. We know in our hearts we make a big difference in the lives of our patients, but “knowing” and proving it are very different things. Is a taxi ride to the hospital better than waiting for an ambulance? Some have advocated and even studied this.
Until we perform research that objectively measures our practices, we will continue to deliver “best-guess medicine.” In fact, the justification for our very existence lies in our ability to collect accurate data and use a scientific process to critically analyze and share our results in an unbiased manner. This process is what evidence-based practice is all about, and why every EMS provider is involved in research at some level, whether they are just completing their ePCR chart or participating in a full randomized trial.
Born in 1992, the Prehospital Care Research Forum was created to help EMS providers learn how to critically appraise research and use science to advance our practice. For those interested, the PCRF offers a free online “Research 101” four-hour course. PCRF also conducts in-person workshops and research summits. In addition, a cadre of research associates offers its services free to mentor those interested in performing research. Learn more at prehospitalcare.org.
EMS providers are not only supported in the development of scientific projects, they are also given an opportunity to share their findings through several PCRF “calls for abstracts.”
EMS providers are encouraged to submit a project for peer review at no cost. Subject matter experts review the submitted abstracts in a structured, formal process, and the projects are ranked. Unlike other scientific venues where a researcher will never know why they were or were not accepted, PCRF provides researchers with detailed feedback
We hope you will join us at EMS World Expo, October 16–20 in Las Vegas, where the best clinical PCRF abstracts will be selected for presentation. Researchers will receive a complimentary registration to the conference. We believe this will give our community a venue dedicated to sharing research findings and engage a healthy critical thinking dialogue that further develops our practice. Abstracts can be submitted for consideration via www.prehospitalcare.org. For more information, call 310/312-9315, or e-mail pcrf@mednet.ucla.edu. The deadline for abstract submission is August 31, 2017.
As the body of evidence supporting the efficacy and best practices in out-of-hospital care continues to grow, so does the need to critically evaluate this research. EMS World is proud to have the PCRF as a respected and experienced partner.
