Analysing research trends: A descriptive study of abstracts submitted to the African Conference on Emergency Medicine...

Emergency care (EC) is rapidly expanding across Africa, yet research output remains limited despite high regional need. The African Conference on Emergency Medicine (AfCEM) is the continent's only dedicated EC scientific meeting, offering a unique platform to showcase and strengthen regional research. This analysis of abstracts from AfCEM 2024 aims to explore authorship patterns, research themes, and partnerships, highlighting progress and opportunities in African EC research.

Three reviewers analysed the 217 accepted AfCEM 2024 abstracts by authorship, country involvement, partnerships, topic, and methodology. Findings were summarised descriptively and compared with data from previous AfCEM conferences to explore trends in emergency care research across the region.

Of 217 abstracts submitted to AfCEM 2024, East Africa contributed the largest share (43 %), with marked underrepresentation from Central and North Africa. Authorship spanned 34 countries, with 70.5 % of authors and 74.7 % of first authors affiliated with African institutions. However, 54.3 % of abstracts included at least one HIC author, and these were over four times more likely to have five or more contributors. Supadel-sponsored or resident trainees accounted for 16 % of first authors. Most abstracts presented primary data (69.1 %) and used observational or descriptive methods (50.2 %), with 20.3 % employing qualitative or mixed approaches. Research largely focused on emergency presentations, highlighting a growing but uneven research landscape across the continent.

This analysis highlights growing African leadership and thematic diversity in EC research, as showcased at AfCEM 2024. While collaborations with high-income countries remain common, African-led work is increasing. Research largely aligns with global priorities but remains predominantly observational, with limited patient-centred or francophone representation. AfCEM continues to reflect and shape the region's research landscape. Ongoing efforts should focus on equitable partnerships, broader access, and inclusive, cross-disciplinary engagement.