Critical Care
The Department of Critical Care promotes multi-centre research with the Departments of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine at the 20 hospitals affiliated with the University. We engage in collaborative and translational research with other clinical and biomedicine departments, Clinical Trials Networks, government and industry.
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Research Themes
Our research priorities are grouped within several key themes, encompassing elements of all critical care disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach aims to increase the opportunities for researchers to collaborate and develop evidence-based, patient-focussed integrated models of care, based on demonstrated clinical and cost effectiveness, where a clear need has been identified.
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Research Projects
An overview of current research activity across our network, ranging from audits and observational studies to large clinical trials and our multidisciplinary program to increase research equity for culturally and linguistically diverse patients.
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Coursework Degrees
Our coursework degrees are tailored to the workforce needs of the critical care community. In 2022 we will offer a dedicated Critical Care Honours stream for the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, and a Specialist or Graduate Certificate in Disaster and Terror Medicine.
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Graduate Research Degrees
Enrolling in a graduate research degree with the Department of Critical Care is the perfect way to begin or progress your career. Current PhD students are conducting research on diverse topics, from frailty to meta analyses and publication outcomes; environmental costs of critical care to non anaemic iron deficiency.
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Workshops and Short Courses
Enrol in one day workshops in Disaster and Terror Medicine and more...
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Honorary appointments
We welcome applications for honorary appointments from individuals who make a significant, sustained contribution to the Department of Critical Care in at least two of the three following areas: Learning and Teaching; Research; Leadership.
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Alumni
Our alumni community brings together health professionals from around the world. Stay connected with this global network and access alumni benefits, news, exclusive events and more.
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Donate
There are many ways to support the work of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, including donations that support students and academics, or gifts of valuable memorabilia that enrich our museums. We are grateful to our donors for their help creating scholarships, supporting ground-breaking research, building important partnerships and assisting community engagement.
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Welcome
Welcome to the Department of Critical Care (DoCC) within the Melbourne Medical School. DoCC is one of the few University departments anywhere in the world that embraces all three critical care specialties: anaesthesia, emergency medicine, and intensive care medicine. DoCC covers over 20 hospitals affiliated with the University.
The need for DoCC stems from the unfortunate fact that many high-risk, deteriorating, and critically ill patients have poor outcomes. Collectively these patients have a broad range of problems from trauma to children with sepsis to mental health to severe co-morbidity before surgery to complex pain syndromes; to name a few. Both preventing and managing health care crises is a key common feature of the three critical care specialties.
Through research, education, engagement, and direct clinical care, DoCC will improve individual patient journeys, public health, cost effectiveness, and workforce well-being. Our Department collaborates across academic, political, government, and community sectors including nurses, allied health practitioners, scientists, leaders, and of course patients and the broader public.
The academic history of critical care of the University of Melbourne extends back over 120 years to Dr Embley’s landmark 1902 article on death during chloroform anaesthesia. While there have been many subsequent great strides in critical care education, research, and clinical care in the University of Melbourne environment, DoCC represents a big step in creating an internationally recognised centre of excellence for integrated academic critical care.
Professor David Story, Inaugural Head of Department
Our people
Our leadership team oversee the three, integrated research and teaching streams, harnessing the expertise of a large network of more than 150 critical care specialists undertaking clinical care, research and education at more than 20 University-affiliated hospitals.


Diversity and Inclusion
The Melbourne Medical School is proud to foster a vibrant and inclusive culture delivering initiatives that value and support diversity.