Index
Abstract
Dedication
Preface
Definition of EMS for this Document
Federal Agencies Can Help Advance EMS Research
Executive Summary

• Develop Researchers
• Facilitate Collaboration
• Establish a Reliable Funding Stream
• Establish Alternative Funding Sources
• Recognize The Need for EMS Research
• View Research as Necessary for the Improvement of Patient Care
• Create Reliable Information Systems
• Enhance Ethical Approaches to Research
• Conclusion

Introduction
History of EMS Research
The Present State of EMS Research
Overcoming the Barriers to EMS Research
Summary
Appendix A: The National EMS Research Agenda Writing Team
Appendix B: Organizations Invited to Participate in the National Review Team
Appendix C: Ethical Standards and IRB Requirements
Appendix D Inclusion Of Women And Minorities In Research Study Populations Involving Human Subjects
Inclusion Of Children As Participants In Research Involving Human Subjects
Appendix E: Bibliographic List of Internet Links
Appendix F: Published EMS Randomized Clinical Trials
References

Facilitate Collaboration

Effective EMS research necessitates creating working relationships between EMS researchers and social scientists, economists, health services researchers, epidemiologists, operations experts, clinical scientists, basic scientists, and researchers from other disciplines. Building these relationships requires a dedicated and committed core research group with access to reliable funding sources.

Recommendation 2.

Centers of Excellence should be created to facilitate EMS research. These Centers will bring together experienced investigators, institutional expertise, and resources such as budgetary and information systems support. Centers will develop and maintain strong working relationships with local and regional EMS providers. As the focal point of these resources, Centers of Excellence will be the catalyst for collaboration between EMS systems and investigators. Such an environment will enable quality research to flourish.

·         One or more federal agencies should encourage the submission of proposals to develop at least five EMS Centers of Excellence. Each successful applicant should be funded for five years and be evaluated for renewal in a competitive application process. At least $1 million should be devoted to development of research programs and infrastructure at each Center every year. Each Center should be located within an academic institution with ties to fellowship programs, career faculty researchers, multidisciplinary expertise, training programs, and other resources necessary to create research infrastructure.

·         One or more federal agencies should issue requests for proposals for at least two regional EMS research centers. The centers will organize and manage multi-system studies. The centers will form a network to facilitate access to data. Each center should operate on a five-year funding cycle with a competitive renewal process at the end of each five-year phase.