Outputs and Outcomes Evaluation of Emergency Medical Research and Innovation Management of the National Institute of Emergency Medicine

Abstract

The evaluation of outputs and outcomes from the management of research and innovation in emergency medicine was conducted using a descriptive study (mix-method) approach. Quantitative data were collected through follow-up forms the outputs and outcomes of emergency medical research and innovations funded by the fundamental fund under the Science Research and Innovation (SRI) system for the years 2021–2023, covering 29 projects. Qualitative data were also collected through in-depth interviews with project leaders to explore aspects of emergency medical research and innovation management that influence research outputs and outcomes. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics and adhered to the OECD criteria for research and innovation management assessment, while content analysis was used for qualitative data. Results: From 2021 to 2023, 29 research projects, with a total budget of 25,171,700 THB, were managed by the Research and Innovation Center. Management mechanisms and tools covered all stages of the research process (upstream, midstream, and downstream management stage). The output monitoring revealed that some outputs exceeded targets, some met targets, and some fell short. Manuscript production, in particular, consistently fell below target each year, indicating a need for improved management in this area. An evaluation based on OECD principles showed that all projects over the three years aligned with the mission of the National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) and were efficient, withtimely execution. However, in terms of effectiveness, not all outputs were delivered as promised. Most projects successfully translated research and innovation into practical applications, primarily through meetings, training, or dissemination activities. These included studies on emergency psychiatric patients, emergency medical education in schools, elderly care, emergency response times, and emergency medical systems for large-scale sporting events in Thailand. In perspectives on Research Management, most researchers agreed that the research management system effectively supported the delivery of project outputs and outcomes. They also emphasized that enhancing research capacity and expertise is crucial for improving the quality and impact of research outputs and outcomes. Recommendations: to improve the efficiency, outputs, outcomes, and overall impact of research and innovation management, strategic organizational approaches should be employed. These include collaborative direction-setting and research problem identification involving administrators, stakeholders, and researchers. Such strategies ensure that research projects meet user needs and achieve significant impacts. Researchers should also understand and design pathways to maximize research impact. Additionally, efforts should be made to extend and scale up research projects for broader application, supported by both internal and external organizational resources in various formats.