2026 multicentre research meeting wrap

CTN connects with the Gold Coast and Queensland research community

Bringing the CTN to GCUH

Strengthening engagement with trainees and emerging researchers is a priority of the CTN Strategic Plan 2026–2029, with a focus on creating opportunities for the next generation of investigators to connect with the network, develop their research capability and build relationships with experienced researchers.

The CTN put this priority into practice ahead of its 2026 Strategic Research Workshop, taking part of the program beyond the main workshop venue with a multicentre research meeting at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH).

Held on Friday 21 August, the half-day meeting attracted around 70 hospital executives, medical students, trainees, research co-ordinators, clinicians and senior CTN researchers. Co-convened by Dr Rachel Bourke, Associate Professor David Highton, Dr Matthew Bright and Dr Kanika Chaudhri, the meeting was designed to connect local clinicians and emerging researchers with established investigators and provide opportunities for networking, collaboration and the development of new research ideas.

Dr Rachel Bourke welcomed delegates to the meeting, while Ms Alison Ewens, Executive General Manager Emergency and Specialty Services at GCUH, formally opened the program, speaking about the importance of research within Gold Coast Health and its Research Roadmap 2025–2028. The roadmap includes priorities to support early-career researchers, build research capability within the workforce and integrate research into clinical practice.

Supporting research at Gold Coast Health

GCUH provided an optimal setting for the meeting, with its Department of Anaesthesia building an active research program of its own. Since 2020, clinicians in the department have recruited more than 400 patients to ANZCA-led multicentre clinical trials, alongside participation in commercial clinical trials and a monthly journal club supported by a biostatistician.

Locally led projects are also creating opportunities for collaboration and research experience. In 2024, GCUH anaesthesia clinicians received ANZCA Foundation research funding for projects including the development of a machine-learning model to predict postoperative hypotension, involving collaborators from Griffith University and CSIRO. Another project is investigating whether the solution used to wash blood during cell salvage affects haemolysis and red-cell quality, with the potential to inform future clinical practice.

Connecting local and CTN expertise

The program connected this local research activity with expertise from across the CTN. Professor Philip Peyton presented an update on the ROCKet trial and its implications for clinical practice before joining Dr Bright and Dr Chaudhri for a session exploring different pathways into research and some of the practical considerations involved in developing a research career alongside clinical practice.

Building the next generation of researchers

The program also highlighted opportunities created through Queensland’s trainee research community. Dr Jimin Kang discussed the Queensland Anaesthetic Registrars’ Research Collaborative (QARRC), which has connected trainees across Queensland hospitals to undertake trainee-led multicentre research, audit and quality improvement since 2019. Dr Fangce (Jack) Xu and Dr Emily Squires then presented new research proposals, with Associate Professor Highton chairing the session and researchers in the room providing feedback and discussion from the floor. Two networking breaks provided further opportunities for trainees and local clinicians to meet CTN investigators, discuss research ideas and make connections across hospitals and career stages.

Encouraging medical students, trainees and early-career clinicians to see research as an achievable and rewarding part of a career in anaesthesia, pain and perioperative medicine is an important part of the CTN’s strategy. Providing opportunities to meet established researchers, hear how others have built research alongside their clinical careers and test new ideas in a supportive environment can help make the pathway into research more visible and accessible.

Extending the CTN network

Taking the CTN into GCUH provided a practical way to extend these opportunities beyond those attending the main Strategic Research Workshop and engage directly with the local research community. It connected trainees and emerging researchers with experienced investigators, linked local and Queensland research activity with the wider CTN, and created relationships that can support future research collaborations and participation across the network.

Those wishing to learn more about research opportunities and stay connected with the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network can contact the CTN Office to join the mailing list.

Bulletin feature article

For more on the emerging researchers who took part in the satellite meeting and their experiences of getting started in research, read the feature in the Spring 2026 edition of the ANZCA Bulletin.

Thank you

We thank meeting convenors Dr Rachel Bourke, Associate Professor David Highton, Dr Kanika Bright and Dr Matthew Bright, together with the Gold Coast University Hospital staff and Executive, for their support of the meeting.

We also thank speakers Professor Philip Peyton, Dr Fangce (Jack) Xu, Dr Jimin Kang and Dr Emily Squires, as well as all delegates and members of the CTN who contributed to the meeting. We are also grateful to Carolyn Jones from ANZCA Communications for helping share the stories of emerging researchers across the network.

The work of the ANZCA CTN is supported by the ANZCA Foundation, whose support helped make this event possible.

Banner image (L–R): Left to right: Dr Jimin Kang, Dr Fangce (Jack) Xu, Dr Cyril Tang (back), Dr Emily Squires and Dr Kanika Chaudhri