Dr Richard Pellatt is an emergency physician at Gold Coast University Hospital and works part-time with LifeFlight Retrieval Medicine, Toowoomba base. Originally from the UK and now based in Queensland, his research is driven by practical questions arising directly from emergency department practice, particularly where care feels inconsistent, inefficient, or unsupported by evidence. He describes his research pathway as something he “fell into,” shaped by strong mentorship and clinical experience.

I’m a FACEM at Gold Coast University Hospital and also work part-time with LifeFlight. I completed medical school and internship in the UK and have been in Australia for about 12 years, where I undertook postgraduate training in emergency medicine. I didn’t set out to do research as such. Early in my emergency medicine training, I was offered a year-long rotation in research,, supervised by Professor Gerben Keijzers. During this time we conducted an EMF-funded randomised controlled trial into the management of hand fractures. Mentorship was critical. Prof. Keijzers and the ED Director at the time, Dr David Green, encouraged me and recognised potential before I did. Having guidance, almost an apprenticeship, makes a huge difference, not just in research, but across education and clinical skills.

My work has spanned hand fractures, a large statewide self-harm data linkage study, and pre-hospital retrieval research, including intubation and ventilator use in helicopters. Currently, my PhD focuses on drug overdose presentations, particularly around intubation and risk management. Much of my research starts with clinical observations, areas where practice varies or where evidence is unclear. EMF funding has been crucial, allowing us to employ research nurses, fractional appointments, and statistical support. For example, almost the entire budget for the self-harm study went to statistical analysis, enabling the project to be completed to a high standard.

By addressing inconsistencies in practice and identifying risks, my research seeks to guide safer, more evidence-based care. For the RCT on hand fractures, we questioned whether less invasive treatment could be used. For my work on overdose presentations, we aim to develop individualised risk profiles to support clinical decision-making, helping clinicians decide who can be safely observed versus who needs more aggressive intervention.

The challenge isn’t publishing, it’s translating findings into practice. Research often has more impact at the sites where it’s conducted, and that influence can fade over time. Translation-focused grants are essential for embedding change. Clear, practical studies with defined outcomes are more likely to influence guidelines and policy than vague research.

Collaboration is central. Working with statisticians, research nurses, and clinical teams ensures studies are robust and feasible. Engaging with colleagues across hospitals and disciplines also helps broaden impact and supports translation of findings into practice.

Formalise substantial research into a higher degree early, and be realistic about timelines; however long you think it will take, multiply by two or three. Keep teams streamlined for smaller studies, bring in collaborators later if needed, and engage early with feedback. EMF processes are fair and accessible, which really supports clinician-led emergency medicine research.

Completing my PhD is the main focus. The overdose research continues, including a qualitative component surveying clinicians and interviewing patients about their experiences. We were lucky to get EMF funding for this, which has mainly been used to fund a research nurse. Beyond that, I’m focusing on projects I find interesting and useful, with the goal of benefiting patients and supporting clinicians.