Talking Research: Why are randomised controlled trials important to our practice?

Presented by: Helen Pocock and Professor Tom Quinn

Hosted by: Michelle Thomson

Randomised control trials (RCTs) are highly regarded in the scientific community, but how do they contribute to the body of evidence that informs how we manage our patients? We have Helen Pocock and Tom Quinn who will be joining us live from the UK to talk to us about this and their involvement in RCTs in UK ambulance services, including the Paramedic 2 trial.

Biographies:

Helen Pocock - Helen is the Senior Research Paramedic at South Central Ambulance Foundation Trust (SCAS). Joining the Ambulance Service in 1997 and qualifying as a paramedic in 2000, she moved into education in 2008, leading the Emergency Care Practice degree at Oxford Brookes University before managing the PARAMEDIC trial, and later the PARAMEDIC-2 trial for the trust. She is currently undertaking an NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship investigating defibrillation energy with the University of Warwick.

Professor Tom Quinn - Tom is a Professor of Cardiovascular Nursing with over 40 years experience in clinical practice, policy and research. Tom was part of the PARAMEDIC and PARAMEDIC-2 trials and chief investigator on a British Heart Foundation Funded study exploring the use and impact of the prehospital 12 lead ECG in patients with ACS in the primary PCI era. Tom’s areas of specialty are Acute Cardiovascular Care, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Prehospital care. He is a Board member, European Society of Cardiology Association for Acute Cardiovascular Care, and is a Non-Executive Director of a large regional ambulance service.

Michelle Thomson- Michelle as part of the research group for ACP will be hosting the event. Michelle has worked as a Paramedic across three continents, starting her career in Zimbabwe, then 16 years in the UK working for an NHS ambulance service. During this time Michelle was a Research Paramedic and Clinical Mentor and was involved in various patient safety projects. Three years ago, Michelle moved to South Australia with her family and now works for South Australia Ambulance Service. Michelle has a keen interest in research and human factors.