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PAEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE RESEARCH COORDINATOR INTEREST GROUP (PIRCIG)

Background

The ANZICS Paediatric Study Group (PSG) was formed in 2003 by a group of Paediatric Intensivists and Intensive Care Research Coordinators. The aim was to design and conduct multi-centre research in Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) as well as some adult units that admit children. In 2004 the PSG met at Noosa ANZICS CTG for the first time. Paediatric Intensive Care research has expanded significantly over the past 2 decades. Multisite research being conducted in Australia, New Zealand and internationally has increased dramatically along with the complexity of the research projects.  The PSG is a very collaborative multidisciplinary team of intensivists and research coordinators.

The pivotal role of Research Coordinators (RCs) in managing the conduct of clinical trials in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Australia and New Zealand had gained increased recognition over the last decade. It has also become apparent that many RCs are working in isolation in this dynamic and demanding environment and often lack guidance and support, which could be offered by their peers in different centres. The Intensive Care Research Coordinators Interest Group (IRCIG) was formed in 2000 in response to these concerns. PIRCIG was developed in 2019 because of the specific requirements for paediatric research coordinators. PIRCIG is a working group of the PSG. PIRCIG have been successful in establishing strong communication for support, and promoting professional development in collaboration with IRCIG. PIRCIG members are members of both the PSG and IRCIG.

Philosophy

PIRCIG supports and facilitates the aims, visions and values of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Paediatric Study Group (ANZICS PSG) Mission Statement, which is “to promote excellence in paediatric intensive care medicine through collaborative clinical research focused on improving patient-centred outcomes.

Aims

 

The specific aims of PIRCIG are to:

  1. Provide peer support for RC’s and research staff who are responsible for the co-ordination of clinical research in PICU
  2. Assist with communication between RC’s and research staff in PICU’s within Australia and New Zealand
  3. Provide and identify professional development opportunities
  4. Promote recognition of the research coordinator role in the success of PICU clinical research
  5. Provide a forum for discussion of issues related to PICU clinical research.
  6. Advise the ANZICS PSG on issues related to the conduct and coordination of PICU research by representation on committees of studies to ensure PSG-endorsed and supported studies receive PIRCIG input.
  7. Promote ICU inter-hospital related research projects.
  8. Promote International collaboration with other groups responsible for the coordination of research in PICU.
  9. To provide a point of contact for coordinators and facilitate participation of paediatric units in selected trials proposed by the ANZICS Clinical Trials Group (ANZICS CTG).
  10. To provide a point of contact for coordinators and facilitate participation of Australian and New Zealand units in international paediatric intensive care trials.

The Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Paediatric Study Group (PSG) Committee is a working group of the ANZICS CTG. PIRCIG is a working group of the PSG for PICU RCs.

PIRCIG is administered by the RCs of the Committee. The member units of the PSG can choose to nominate their RCs to become PIRCIG members. The PIRCIG Committee consists of Chairperson, Past Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Paediatric Representative on IRCIG and the Professional Development Facilitator.

The PIRCIG is run in accordance with their Terms of Reference (download the PIRCIG Terms of Reference (2023).

PIRCIG Executive

Chair Tara Williams 07 3069 7470 email
​Vice-Chair Claire Sherring (+64)212703470 email
​Secretary Arielle Jolly  03 6456 5781 email
IRCIG Representative Kerry Johnson 07 3069 7478 email
Professional Development Facilitator Andrea Veysey 03 9345 6755 email
Past Chair Carmel Delzoppo 03 9345 4766 email

PIRCIG members aim to meet in person at the ANZICS Clinical Trials Group (CTG)/Paediatric study Group (PSG) meeting held annually and virtually via committee meetings and education sessions which take place 4 times a year. Notification of these meetings and events are via the PIRCIG email list.

PIRCIG have a mentor program to provide guidance and support to RCs that are new to research. The PIRCIG Committee should be contacted when a new coordinator is employed by a site or project to gain membership of PIRCIG and set up a mentor relationship with an appropriate coordinator. PIRCIG maintains a database of current PIRCIG members and their skill sets.

PIRCIG membership and email list is maintained by the secretary. The list may be accessed by its members for opinion, discussion, and circulation of research related issues and proposed study protocols.

Any individual wishing to apply for admission to the PIRCIG email list must be nominated to the list by a current PIRCIG or PSG member in order to verify their role in Intensive Care research within Australia and New Zealand. PIRCIG membership is encouraged for all site RC’s. Please complete a membership application form and email it through to pircig.anz@gmail.com or complete and submit the online form.