UNNECESSARY TESTS AND TREATMENTS IN LOW VALUE CRITICAL CARE

Dr Gerben Keijzers
Senior Staff Specialist Emergency Physician,
Gold Coast Hospital at Department of Health, Queensland &
Adjunct Professor, Honorary Professor of Emergency Medicine
Griffith University & Bond University,
Queensland, Australia

RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Southport, Queensland | January 2025

Dr Gerben Keijzers is a Senior Staff Specialist Emergency Physician at the Gold Coast University Hospital Emergency Department. Dr Keijzers balances half of his time between clinical work and academic duties, including teaching medical students and conducting research. His role also include being an honorary professor of emergency medicine at Bond  University and is an associate professor at Griffith University.

Dr Keijzers completed a master’s degree in epidemiology and medical degree in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. He came to Australia in 2002 and completed his Fellowship in Emergency Medicine in 2008. He has a PhD in the quality of trauma care.

He works clinically, conducts clinical research and is a clinical supervisor for medical students on emergency medicine rotation. Over the past 15 years, Dr Keijzers has helped create seven research pillars focused on critical care studies, such as sepsis and antimicrobial stewardship.

His research focus includes low-value care, which is in the area of unnecessary tests and treatments with minimal benefits. Dr Keijzers has contributed to over 100 publications and more than 20 grant applications. Through his involvement in multi-site collaborative research projects, he encourages critical thinking and curiosity among clinical staff, striving to enhance both patient care and the efficiency of healthcare resources.

He is the former chair of the Queensland Emergency Research Collaborative, a member of the Clinical Trials Group of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, a member of the Research Advisory Committee for the Emergency Care Institute and is section editor for the peer-reviewed journal Emergency Medicine Australasia.

Note: Narrative adapted from University of Queensland website and interview