Role of networks in supporting emergency medicine research: findings from the Wessex emergency care research network (WECReN).

T he importance of evidence based medicine in improving clinical care has been emphasised significantly in recent years. Opportunities to conduct research within emergency care, however, have been restricted by time and financial constraints as well as a lack of a research tradition. Research networks in primary care have enabled healthcare professionals to conduct research despite similar difficulties. Recognising this as a possible approach to developing and providing support for research in emergency care, funding was sought to develop a local emergency care network. With funding from the Southampton University Hospitals’ Trust Strategic Research Fund, the Wessex Emergency Care Research and Development Network (WECReN) was launched in October 2001. This paper reports on the activities and experiences of the network in its first year. Reflections and recommendations on the role of networks in the support of research in emergency medicine are provided.