Executive Summary
Specialty Learning Outcome (SLO) 10 of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) curriculum frames research not as an academic option, but as a core component of clinical excellence for the modern Emergency Medicine (EM) clinician. The fundamental goal is to transition trainees from passive consumers of evidence into active, proficient participants within the research ecosystem. Mastery of SLO 10 is assessed continuously and requires demonstrated proficiency across three key domains: Critical Appraisal, Active Research Participation, and robust Data Management.
Critical Takeaways:
- Core Requirement: Trainees must provide evidence of proficiency in interpreting data (Critical Appraisal), contributing to studies (Active Participation through recruitment and consent), and managing data in compliance with legal and ethical standards (Good Clinical Practice, General Data Protection Regulation).
- Standard Evidence: Achieving a standard rating requires specific portfolio evidence, including the Applied Critical Appraisal Form (ACAF), Journal Club Feedback (JCF), a valid Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certificate, and recruitment logs for National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) portfolio studies.
- Path to Excellence: Excelling beyond the mandatory requirements involves assuming leadership roles. High-impact strategies include completing the NIHR Associate Principal Investigator (PI) scheme, acting as a site lead for a Trainee Emergency Research Network (TERN) project, and disseminating original work through regional or national presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
- Data Governance: Adherence to the Caldicott Principles and GDPR is non-negotiable and must be evidenced through training and reflective practice. A working knowledge of specific EM research ethics, such as Deferred Consent, is essential.
