Fellowships support important perioperative research

The fellowships provide protected research time to investigate two important areas of perioperative care: caesarean section-related haemorrhage and venous thromboembolism following hip fracture surgery.

Dr Julie Lee

Dr Julie Lee, from the department of anaesthesia at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, received a fellowship for the Management of caesarean section-related obstetric haemorrhage in Australian public hospitals (MACRO-AUS) study.

MACRO-AUS is a prospective, multicentre observational study examining the incidence, prevention, diagnosis and management of haemorrhage following elective and emergency caesarean sections. It will investigate patient, procedural and organisation factors, including the use of point-of-care testing and blood products. A mixed-methods component will also explore the experiences and recovery of patients and their partners following severe postpartum haemorrhage.

Julie will lead a national multidisciplinary collaboration involving anaesthesia, obstetrics, midwifery, perioperative blood management, statistics, qualitative research and consumer representatives. The study has been designed to include metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals with varying levels of research infrastructure.

MACRO-AUS directly aligns with the CTN’s strategic priority to establish a standing multicentre observational research program. The program aims to engage trainees and emerging investigators, generate clinically relevant questions and feasibility data, and expand participation across areas including obstetrics, pain medicine, paediatrics, and regional and rural practice.

MACRO-AUS was proposed as an initial pilot for the observational research program as the CTN broadens its scope to support high-quality multicentre observational studies. Building on existing multisite experience in obstetric anaesthesia, the study will help strengthen the pathway from observational research to pilot studies, multicentre trials and translation into practice.

Dr Usha Gurunathan

Dr Usha Gurunathan, from the department of anaesthesia at The Prince Charles Hospital, received a fellowship for Optimising prevention of thromboembolism through an integrated artificial intelligence, clinical data and surveillance approach in hip fracture surgery.

Building on her PhD research, Usha will integrate three complementary studies to improve personalised venous thromboembolism risk assessment and prevention for older people undergoing hip fracture surgery. Her work aims to support safer, more precise care and strengthen evidence-based prevention across the hip fracture pathway.

Julie and Usha build on the strong track record of previous Metro North Clinician Research Fellowship recipients, including Associate Professor Jonathon Fanning in 2022 for his work in precision-based perioperative medicine, and Associate Professor Michelle Roets in 2025 for her research into perioperative blood transfusion and intraoperative cell salvage.

The CTN congratulates Julie and Usha and looks forward to following the progress and impact of their research. Dr Julie Lee will present the MACRO-AUS protocol at the upcoming CTN Strategic Research Workshop.