EMET in FNQ: embedding emergency medicine education in service-driven facilities
EMET in FNQ: embedding emergency medicine education in service-driven facilities Conference Paper
14th National Rural Health Conference: A World of Rural Health
- Author(s): O'Meara, L, Mowatt, E
- Secondary Author(s): Coleman, Leanne
- Published: 2017
- Publisher: National Rural Health Alliance
Abstract: Aims: Upskilling is crucial to the delivery of patient-centred emergency medicine in rural/remote facilities. The Emergency Medicine Education and Training (EMET) Cairns Hub aims to provide high-quality emergency medicine education in service-driven rural facilities of Far North Queensland (FNQ). A secondary outcome is to cultivate the relationship between each referring facility and the receiving regional centre. Methods: The federally funded EMET Cairns Hub program, commenced in mid-2012 and is overseen by the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM). Emergency Physicians (FACEMs) from the Cairns’ Hospital are rostered 3 days each week to deliver training specifically targeted to the needs of rural practitioners working in the eleven rural/remote hospitals that drain to Cairns Hospital. A Program Support Officer and FACEM Clinical Lead administer the program. The educational sessions are delivered by the rest of the Cairns’ ED FACEM team and include outreach workshops, videoconference case-based discussions or expert tutorials, and hi-fidelity simulation workshops. Continuous evaluation coupled with yearly service reviews keeps the program focused on the individual learning needs of each facility. Relevance: Finding ongoing opportunities to update critical emergency medicine skills can be difficult for staff in rural/remote facilities. Challenges include geographical isolation, staff recruitment and retention, lack of protected education time, high clinical load, and inadequate opportunity to network with FACEMs and other rural/remote staff. Results: The EMET Cairns’ Hub has delivered four full years of education to rural/remote facilities. Overall, participants hold the program in high regard with many reporting that ongoing contact with FACEMs builds rapport and reduces the geographical isolation they feel, leading to improved patient outcomes. Onsite workshops remain the most highly valued modality as a source of two-way education as FACEMs can assess local challenges. Short, monthly videoconference based education remains the best fit for busy workloads of facilities. One-day, hi-fidelity simulation is highly valued as an intensive critical skills building and networking opportunity. The majority of sites advocate for inclusion of nursing and other allied health staff into all initiatives for the purpose of supporting a multi-disciplinary collegiate culture. Conclusions: A multi-disciplinary, flexible, multi-modal framework is crucial for the successful implementation and sustainability of education initiatives for busy rural/remote facilities. A grassroots approach tailored to facility needs through regular evaluation and adjustments is critical for creating solutions to overcome ever-changing institutional and service challenges. Underpinning all is a growing network of contacts in a strong collegiate culture to overcome professional isolation.
- Urls: http://www.ruralhealth.org.au/14nrhc/sites/default/files/OMeara%2C%20Lydia_B4.pdf Available from, http://www.ruralhealth.org.au/14nrhc/program/concurrent-speakers Download site
- Publisher Location: Cairns