Respiratory Trainee Research Collaborative
@resptract
OUR WORK
Projects
NIV Study Day
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In 2019 we piloted a deanery wide General Internal Medicine NIV study day. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback and this model of a successful trainee led training day was presented at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting 2019. We plan to work with the West Midlands Deanery to incorporate it as a regular training day in the future
Utility of severity assessment tools in COVID-19 pneumonia: a multicentre observational study
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In spring 2020 RespTRACT undertook an observational multi-centre study of to examine use of commonly used severity scores in COVID-19 infection. Through the collaborative we rapidly established data collection across eight sites involving more than thirty trainees.
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COVID-19 often causes severe disease with high mortality, yet there are limited treatment options. COVID-19 infection can be heterogenous, the ability to risk stratify will inform patient care and clinical trial stratification. We aimed to establish whether commonly used risk stratification tools aid in predicting adverse outcomes in COVID-19 infection?
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We enrolled 2387 patients across the West Midlands and demonstrated that established severity scores for pneumonia and sepsis do not accurately predict risk of death or admission to ICU in COVID-19 infection. Clinicians should be wary of using non validated tools to inform clinical decisions in COVID-19. Further validation and use of COVID-19 specific risk stratification tools is urgently warranted.
Future Projects
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E-Cigarette Usage Survey
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Asthma Exacerbation
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Do you have an idea?
Please submit a proposal form
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Please note at the moment we can only accept proposals from within the West Midlands
ABOUT US
RespTRACT is a trainee led research collaborative founded in 2018. We aim to improve the care of patients and quality of respiratory research through gathering data from multiple sites across the West Midlands Deanery.
The Committee
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President
Dr Louise Crowley
Louise is a respiratory registrar currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Birmingham exploring the role of neutrophils in interstitial lung diseases. She has a breadth of research experience ranging from basic science experimental techniques to phase three clinical trials and is passionate about improving the treatments of patients with interstitial lung diseases including supportive and palliative care management. She coordinated the formation of a new national collaborative, The UK Palliative care – Interstitial Lung Disease, which aims to shine a spotlight on this area and share practices.
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Secretary
Dr Samuel Quarton
Samuel is a respiratory trainee with an interest in the impact of ageing on lung health and disease and has recently started a PhD studying hospital-acquired pneumonia.
He is dedicated to improving the experience and quality of medical education, and is a personal academic tutor for students at the University of Birmingham
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Treasurer
Dr Harriet Pittaway
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Allied Healthcare Representative
Mr Ross Edgar
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Ross is a senior respiratory physiotherapist and clinical research fellow in Birmingham as well as the NIHR AHP West Midlands Research Champion. He is currently working towards his PhD in AATD and works to support non-medical aspiring clinical academics.
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Respiratory Consultant
Dr Dhruv Parekh
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Dhruv is a respiratory, general internal medicine and critical care physician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham; and a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Birmingham. He has a research background in vitamin D and is currently the principal investigator for the UK arm of the VITDALIZE trial.
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