Frequently Asked Questions.
1. How can Projects be commissioned with NWRAG?
There are two ways:
a. Any member of NWRAG can submit a Project Proposal to the Executive Committee. The proposal will be vetted and approved by the committee based on the ‘’Scoring Rubric” which is published on our website. The project may then be conducted across multiple trusts within the NWRAG network.
b. NWRAG as a network will also commission projects. These projects will be advertised on the website. We will invite enthusiastic participants to join in the projects. The information about these projects can be found on the website and will be made available to all the trainee through the NWRAG network (Lead Consultants and Trainees)
C. NWRAG will participate in larger national audits and international trials when the Committee feels that the Network has been tried and tested and ready for this challenge.
2. How many projects can NWRAG conduct through its network?
NWRAG by very nature can undertake a number of projects simultaneously, provided there is enthusiasm within the trainees, projects are of high quality and are led by appropriate mentorship.
We will encourage “regional collaboration” within Anaesthetic Sub-specialities (e.g.: cardiac anaesthesia, neuro-anaesthesia, paediatric anaesthesia or other anaesthetic sub specialties), which may not be practiced in all the hospitals of the region. For Example: A NWRAG project in the future may include a joint collaborative project between the three cardiac centres within the region or the two neurosurgical centres.
We also appreciate that not all hospitals may choose to take part in a given project. Therefore there always be a ‘spare capacity’ within the trainees to float multiple projects within the deanery, provided they are all approved by NWRAG.
3. I am contributing to an NWRAG audit from my trust. Can I use the data for my trust audit?
Yes. Data collected from your trust can be used for audit presentation in your trust; provided you obtain permission from NWRAG and you have ownership of that data. You will only be allowed to present your data and not from other trusts.
4. I am a Consultant and am interested in participating in NWRAG. What would my role and responsibilities be as a “Lead Consultant” be?
We welcome your participation. The Role of a Consultant is primarily to be a ‘Linkman” between the Group and the trainees/ trust. We will forward you information regarding projects, recruitment and news about NWRAG through you, which can disseminate within your department. If your department or trainees wishes to participate in one of our audits then one of your responsibilities will be to supervise registration with your local clinical governance department along with the lead trainees. Primary responsibility of data collection, analysis will remain responsibility of the trainee. Both yours and the trainees contributions will be acknowledged in any publication or presentation as per the ‘authorship rules’ in the constitution.
5. I am a Trainee. What are my roles and responsibilities?
As a trainee, your role is to participate in the project as much as possible. Your role starts with registering the project, data collection within the trust/ hospital you work at. You may do it alone are along with a team of trainees to make it quicker and easier. You will always have a ‘lead consultant” who will be your project mentor. You can participate in data analysis, statistical analysis or presentation should you wish so. Your contributions will be acknowledged in any scientific publication that results from your effort as per the authorship rules in the Constitution.
6. Do I have to be a member of NWRAG to contribute to the projects?
We believe that any member who wishes to contribute as a ‘Local lead” to the project by us should agree with the principles and ethos of the North West Research and Anaesthetic Group. However Non-Members can also contribute to the project at a local level and will have their contribution acknowledged.
7. How will a Multi Centre Audit be conducted across the region?
Once a multicenter audit is approved, then the project steering committee will draft a ‘protocol’ and appropriate ‘data collection forms’. These documents will be registered by the ‘lead Consultant and Trainee’ at the individual trusts in the region. Then the data collection will begin simultaneously across the trusts. Data will be collected and analysed. Individual trust data will be fed back to the Lead Consultants for them to use at their Clinical Governance meetings and also be collected together and presented by the Principal Investigator at an appropriate forum/ Journal.
8. Who forms the ‘Project Steering Committee”? How can I be a part of it?
The project Steering Committee will be formed once the project has been approved, by the ‘Principal Investigator’ (i.e. the person who proposes the project). They will be free to choose their team, so if you wish to participate in the project beyond data collection, you will need to contact the principal investigator via NWRAG to be able to do so. The roles may include statistical analysis, drafting up the study, performing a systematic review, data collection etc.
1. How can Projects be commissioned with NWRAG?
There are two ways:
a. Any member of NWRAG can submit a Project Proposal to the Executive Committee. The proposal will be vetted and approved by the committee based on the ‘’Scoring Rubric” which is published on our website. The project may then be conducted across multiple trusts within the NWRAG network.
b. NWRAG as a network will also commission projects. These projects will be advertised on the website. We will invite enthusiastic participants to join in the projects. The information about these projects can be found on the website and will be made available to all the trainee through the NWRAG network (Lead Consultants and Trainees)
C. NWRAG will participate in larger national audits and international trials when the Committee feels that the Network has been tried and tested and ready for this challenge.
2. How many projects can NWRAG conduct through its network?
NWRAG by very nature can undertake a number of projects simultaneously, provided there is enthusiasm within the trainees, projects are of high quality and are led by appropriate mentorship.
We will encourage “regional collaboration” within Anaesthetic Sub-specialities (e.g.: cardiac anaesthesia, neuro-anaesthesia, paediatric anaesthesia or other anaesthetic sub specialties), which may not be practiced in all the hospitals of the region. For Example: A NWRAG project in the future may include a joint collaborative project between the three cardiac centres within the region or the two neurosurgical centres.
We also appreciate that not all hospitals may choose to take part in a given project. Therefore there always be a ‘spare capacity’ within the trainees to float multiple projects within the deanery, provided they are all approved by NWRAG.
3. I am contributing to an NWRAG audit from my trust. Can I use the data for my trust audit?
Yes. Data collected from your trust can be used for audit presentation in your trust; provided you obtain permission from NWRAG and you have ownership of that data. You will only be allowed to present your data and not from other trusts.
4. I am a Consultant and am interested in participating in NWRAG. What would my role and responsibilities be as a “Lead Consultant” be?
We welcome your participation. The Role of a Consultant is primarily to be a ‘Linkman” between the Group and the trainees/ trust. We will forward you information regarding projects, recruitment and news about NWRAG through you, which can disseminate within your department. If your department or trainees wishes to participate in one of our audits then one of your responsibilities will be to supervise registration with your local clinical governance department along with the lead trainees. Primary responsibility of data collection, analysis will remain responsibility of the trainee. Both yours and the trainees contributions will be acknowledged in any publication or presentation as per the ‘authorship rules’ in the constitution.
5. I am a Trainee. What are my roles and responsibilities?
As a trainee, your role is to participate in the project as much as possible. Your role starts with registering the project, data collection within the trust/ hospital you work at. You may do it alone are along with a team of trainees to make it quicker and easier. You will always have a ‘lead consultant” who will be your project mentor. You can participate in data analysis, statistical analysis or presentation should you wish so. Your contributions will be acknowledged in any scientific publication that results from your effort as per the authorship rules in the Constitution.
6. Do I have to be a member of NWRAG to contribute to the projects?
We believe that any member who wishes to contribute as a ‘Local lead” to the project by us should agree with the principles and ethos of the North West Research and Anaesthetic Group. However Non-Members can also contribute to the project at a local level and will have their contribution acknowledged.
7. How will a Multi Centre Audit be conducted across the region?
Once a multicenter audit is approved, then the project steering committee will draft a ‘protocol’ and appropriate ‘data collection forms’. These documents will be registered by the ‘lead Consultant and Trainee’ at the individual trusts in the region. Then the data collection will begin simultaneously across the trusts. Data will be collected and analysed. Individual trust data will be fed back to the Lead Consultants for them to use at their Clinical Governance meetings and also be collected together and presented by the Principal Investigator at an appropriate forum/ Journal.
8. Who forms the ‘Project Steering Committee”? How can I be a part of it?
The project Steering Committee will be formed once the project has been approved, by the ‘Principal Investigator’ (i.e. the person who proposes the project). They will be free to choose their team, so if you wish to participate in the project beyond data collection, you will need to contact the principal investigator via NWRAG to be able to do so. The roles may include statistical analysis, drafting up the study, performing a systematic review, data collection etc.
