More than 80 people participated in a virtual workshop run by the Anaesthesia Research Coordinators Network (ARCN) on 17 March, and ACTA was pleased to be invited to attend.

A key focus of the program was the impact of the use of telehealth in clinical trials, particularly the issue of consent, and this was discussed by all participants in a break-out session. Accelerated uptake of telehealth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may have “changed the way we do trials forever”, delegates heard.

Other highlights included an update by Chair of the ARCN Sub-Committee Allison Kearney, from Princess Alexandra Hospital, Queensland, and an eye-opening keynote presentation by Michelle Gallaher, CEO of Opyl Ltd, on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of clinical trials. Michelle gave examples of how AI might be used to enhance study protocol design, site selection and patient recruitment.

A spotlight on some anaesthesia research departments by Research Coordinators highlighted some of the challenges and opportunities associated with conducting anaesthesia research in a private hospital setting (St John of God Subiaco, Western Australia), a regional setting (Goulburn Valley Health, Victoria), and a large tertiary and trauma hospital in New Zealand (Waikato Hospital).

ARCN is a special interest group/network of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network, an ACTA member.