I’m an adult and paediatric emergency physician, and I’ve been working in Queensland Health for more than 25 years. I never thought I’d be a traditional researcher. My first projects were around simulation and education, and as my career progressed, I got curious about whether things we do could work better. Research became a way to answer those questions properly.
Can you provide an overview of your research program and describe how EMF funding has supported your research?Most of my research starts with a simple thought like, “I wonder if this would work?” EMF gives us the time and space to properly investigate those questions. My work is grounded in real-world challenges, from looking at paediatric inter-hospital transfers with the PaNURAMA, to tackling paediatric appendicitis, neck injuries, and bedside ultrasound. EMF is unique because the focus on emergency medicine is so important. I probably wouldn’t have got funding from bigger, more general grants. EMF supports clinician-led research close to practice, and there’s a strong community of active clinicians who get what we do.
How does your work aim to improve patient outcomes or enhance system sustainability?I’m really passionate about equity of access. A big part of my focus is making sure rural and regional patients receive the same safe, evidence-based care as someone at a tertiary centre. PaNURAMA is a good example, before we had the tool, we relied on gut feeling about which kids needed extra support during transfer. That often meant erring on the side of caution and pulling nurses away from their local hospitals. With PaNURAMA, we can make those decisions systematically, keep staff where they’re most needed and make sure every child receives the level of care they require.
What impact do you hope your research will have on practice or policy in the long term?In the long term, I want to make sure care is safe and consistent across Queensland. Research is a team sport, we never do things in isolation with patients, and we need to do the same with our research. It’s not enough just to produce findings; we need to make sure they change practice and support teams on the ground. That’s why implementation is such a big part of what I do.
What role has collaboration played in your work?Collaboration is central to everything. Whether it’s working with paediatricians, Indigenous health teams, ambulance officers, or junior doctors, everyone brings a different perspective. Research requires attention to detail, but I’m also a big-picture person, so I rely on my team to challenge me and help make sense of the data. It’s much like the way we work clinically, we never do this in isolation.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give to other clinicians considering applying for EMF funding?Start with something you genuinely care about. Research is a long-term commitment, especially alongside a busy clinical job, so it’s important that you enjoy the process. Don’t wait for a perfect time, talk to the EMF team early. They can help you navigate grant writing and study design, and they truly understand what it’s like balancing research with clinical practice.
And what are the next steps for your research?We’re working to embed PaNURAMA across Queensland Health so that it becomes part of routine practice. I’m interested in new ways to train and support clinicians, especially in rural and remote areas, so they feel confident making decisions. Ultimately, it’s all about ensuring every child and family gets the right care, at the right place and time, wherever they live.