The Canadian EHS Research Consortium (CERC) is a not-for-profit organization that provides the EHS research community with resources to facilitate research. CERC offers Paramedics from coast to coast positive learning and team experiences along with the opportunity to allow for paramedics to comprehend, plan for and ultimately substantiate the ongoing evolution EHS will experience over the next decade.
In 2002, the Romanow Royal Commission had stressed the urgent need to substantiate change in health care by providing evidence of effectiveness and efficiency. With the growing demand of acute health care intervention, the Government of Canada will depend largely on evidence provided by vigorous research to become more innovative in the delivery of patient care. In saying this, Paramedics and EHS Researchers must provide EHS organizations evidence based research indicating the most efficient and effective interventions possible without compromising the public’s best interest.(1)
EHS Research has been an unexploited resource in Canadian healthcare and the research community is a relatively small and isolated group with only a handful of significant research completed in the development of EHS. This is not only a Canadian phenomenon; in the United States the National Association of EMS Physicians has spent considerable time and resources to identify why EMS research has struggled. Through both Canadian and American author contributions EMSOP labelled five obstacles that are hindering EMS/EHS research across North America:
1) A relative small number of skilled EHS researchers; 2) Inadequate dedicated funding; 3) Failure of EMS professionals to understand the importance of conducting EHS research and translating the findings into clinical practice; 4) A lack of integrated information systems that provide for meaningful linkage with patient outcomes; and 5) Logistical problems in obtaining informed consent
(2). The EMSOP through the National EMS Research Agenda provided several recommendations to overcome these obstacles.
EMSOP Recommendation #1: “A large cadre of career EMS investigators should be developed and supported in the initial stages of their careers.”
The CERC through its parent organization will lobby to reorganize the Paramedic National Occupational Competency Profile among the endorsement of the Canadian Medical Association. In doing this CERC can influence Paramedic education to include research as part of standard curriculum.
EMSOP Recommendation #2: “Centres of Excellence should be created to facilitate EMS research”
Although there are several regional consortiums of EHS or EMS research within Canada, there is little to no collaboration between organizations. CECR will be the catalyst of inter-regional communications by providing a WEB based communications network available to all.
EMSOP Recommendation #3: “Federal agencies that sponsor research should acknowledge their commitment to EMS research”
The CERC will lobby federal government to prioritize EHS research.
EMSOP Recommendation #4: “States, corporations, and charitable foundations should be encouraged to support EMS research.”
The CERC will establish new partnerships to facilitate a network of corporate and private sponsors that will be accessible to its members.
EMSOP Recommendation #5: “The efforts of EMS professionals, delivery systems, academic centres, and public policy makers should be organized to support and apply the results of research."
Through CERC, EHS & EMS systems commit to research by enlisting as a CERC EHS system member. By acknowledging these recommendations, the CERC shall incorporate as its mission the rejuvenation of Canadian EHS research as a cohesive, functional community of health professionals.