Forging a critical alliance: Addressing the research needs of the United States critical illness and injury community.
OBJECTIVE
Discuss the research needs of the critical illness and injury communities in the United States.


METHODS
Workshop session held during the 5 National Institutes of Health Symposium on the Functional Genomics of Critical Illness and Injury (November 15, 2007).


METHODS
The current clinical research infrastructure misses opportunities for synergy and does not address many important needs. In addition, it remains challenging to rapidly and properly implement system-wide changes based upon reproducible evidence from clinical research.


METHODS
Author presentations, panel discussion, attendee feedback.


RESULTS
The critical illness and injury research communities seek better communication and interaction, both of which will improve the breadth and quality of acute care research. Success in meeting these needs should come from cooperative and strategic actions that favor collaboration, standardization of protocols, and strong leadership. An alliance framed on common goals will foster collaboration among experts to better promote clinical trials within the critically ill or injured patient population.


CONCLUSIONS
The U.S. Critical Illness and Injury Trials Group was funded to create a clinical research framework that can reduce the barriers to investigation using an investigator-initiated, evidence-driven, inclusive approach that has proven successful elsewhere. This alliance will provide an annual venue for systematic review and strategic planning that will include framing the research agenda, raising awareness for the value of acute care research, gathering and promoting best practices, and bolstering the critical care workforce.
Cobb
J Perren
JP
Center for Critical Illness and Health Engineering, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA. cobb@wustl.edu
Ognibene
Frederick P
FP
Ingbar
David H
DH
Mann
Henry J
HJ
Hoyt
David B
DB
Angus
Derek C
DC
Thomas
Alvin V
AV
Danner
Robert L
RL
Suffredini
Anthony F
AF
D035843:Biomedical Research; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*