Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Canada has led the world in research to improve the care of seriously ill patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). We formed the first investigator-led clinical research group - the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group (CCCTG) - in 1989. The CCCTG has not only published more than 350 scientific reports and led ground-breaking studies in critical care, it has served as a model for similar groups around the world. In 2008, we took the lead in developing a global network of these national groups, and created the International Forum for Acute Care Trialists (InFACT). InFACT now has more than 3 dozen member groups, from every continent. It has helped build international collaboration, has launched research programs to combat global challenges such as antibiotic resistance and pandemic research preparedness, and has provided education and mentorship to emerging groups in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. InFACT is an unfunded organization, sustained largely through the volunteer activities of its members. Our initial successes have underlined the need to evolve our operating model so that it is more transparent and accountable to its members and our external stakeholders, and so that we can support our activities and ensure long term sustainability. Earlier this year we launched a strategic planning process to accomplish this goal. We have completed a membership survey, and are currently conducting one on one interviews with member groups and other key partners. We seek support to complete this process by developing a draft plan, distributing it widely for discussion, and hosting a meeting in June 2020 to finalize the plan and to adopt the new structural changes.