Welcome to 2013

Abstract

If you are reading this, then it is likely we have survived the apocalypse predicted by the ancient Mayans for 21 December (or thereabouts), Christmas has come and gone for 2012, and our attention is firmly on the New Year ahead. So what do you have in mind for 2013? Have you got any New Year resolutions— or do you avoid that type of thing at all cost? In 2007, a study by Richard Wiseman involving 3 000 individuals showed that 88 % of people who set New Year’s resolutions fail anyway! Maybe we can avoid the New Year resolutions after all and just have a couple of planned, achievable goals instead—professional and personal. I will leave the latter to you entirely, but for the professional target, what about increased involvement in paramedic research for 2013, and beyond? One activity you might consider in the coming year is joining your local hub of the Allied Health Professions Research Network (AHPRN). These are located all over the UK and you can find your nearest hub by going to their website www.csp. org.uk/professional-union/ research/networking/alliedhealth-professions-researchnetwork, or just by Googling AHPRN and following the links. This is a UK–wide body with regional hubs and, if there is not one near to you, then you could even think about starting one. The AHPRN is designed to bring together clinicians, researchers, academic staff and other interested parties from all of the Allied Health Professions (AHP) to explore different issues in research including, for example, practical challenges in research, methodological questions, grant funding, research career development and many other areas. Just as a point of information, the College of Paramedics (CoP) is a member of this network already. However, whether you are a member of the CoP or not, you will benefit from linking with the AHPRN not only to share research expertise and knowledge within multiprofessional groups in a supportive environment, but also to be part of a research network that is growing in size and significance as each year moves on. Equally the AHPRN will gain from having your input as, currently, paramedics are under-represented in the regional hubs. The paramedic profession has so much to offer AHP research and we need paramedics to get that message across and to promote paramedic research at all different levels in a variety of institutions and organisations. So why not give it a go? I am keen to hear from you as to how things work out and what response you get—maybe some of you will become hub facilitators; or possibly it could spark off some collaborative research proposals/studies; or perhaps it will culminate in you writing a paper about your involvement for the JPP. Whatever you do I wish you success and happiness for 2013! Happy New Year from Spotlight in Research!