Introduction

The following is an excerpt from the college website and the training handbook.

The ACEM is an incorporated educational institution whose prime objective is the training and examination of specialist emergency physicians for Australia and New Zealand.

ACEM has a vital interest in the quality of emergency medical care provided to the community and therefore has a wide range of subsidiary objectives relating to emergency department accreditation, policies and standards for the emergency medical system, teaching and research, publication, and those aspects of the medico political framework that have a direct impact on health outcomes for emergency patients.

The study of emergency medicine is a discipline that covers virtually all facets of medicine, in contrast to most other specialties, which are considerably circumscribed. The variety of clinical material presenting to the emergency department demands the attention of a medical practitioner with both breadth and depth of experience and knowledge, ensuring a detailed understanding of the patient's requirements.

In 1991, the International Federation for Emergency Medicine defined emergency medicine in the following way:

Emergency medicine is a field of practice based on the knowledge and skills required for the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and urgent aspects of illness and injury affecting patients of all age groups with a full spectrum of episodic undifferentiated physical and behavioural disorders; it further encompasses an understanding of the development of prehospital and inhospital emergency medical system and the skills necessary for this development.

Medical graduates wishing to undertake training and examinations in emergency medicine must register with the College. Regional Censors and Directors of Emergency Medicine Training, appointed by the College, will be able to provide further information about the curriculum and examinations. However, approval of training is granted only by the Board of Censors. Consideration for approval of training requires the submission of the appropriate documentation.

Governance Structure of the College & Trainee Representation

The College of governed by the Council of Fellows. Trainees are represented on the Council as well as on the Trainee Selection Committee, and on the Board of Censors and Council by the Chair of the Trainee Committee.

Training

Emergency Medicine Training takes seven years on a full-time basis. This is comprised of two years basic training, a minimum of one year provisional training and four years advanced training. The first two years of basic training may include PGY 1 & 2.

Rotations

Trainees are required to include 18 months experience in approved non-ED disciplines as part of their advanced training. The 30 month approved ED component of advanced training must include rotations of a specified minimum duration at both major referral hospitals and urban or regional/rural hospitals. The College does not provide assistance to trainees with their rotations.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Two years of basic training and up to six months of non-ED provisional training may be recognised retrospectively. However, this is subject to conditions and may be dependent on individual circumstances. Prospective trainees should consult the Registering as a Trainee section in the College's Training and Examination Handbook, which is available online.

Flexibility in Training

Part-time training is available at a minimum of 50% full-time commitment. Interruption of training for a limited period (usually maximum of two years) during provisional and advanced training collectively is permitted and requires prior approval by the Board of Censors.

Assessment

Assessment of training undertaken after registration, is undertaken through in-training assessment forms which much be submitted at the conclusion of each term of training.

Examinations

Exams are structured into a primary examination (which must be passed as part of the eligibility requirement for commencement of advanced training) and a fellowship examination, which may be undertaken during the final year of advanced training. Trainees also need to present or publish a paper at an approved forum as part of the eligibility requirements for the fellowship examination and for election to fellowship.

Costs

Contact details

The College is based in Melbourne.

Address:
34 Jeffcott Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Phone: (03) 9320 0444
Fax: (03) 9320 0400
Email: admin@acem.org.au
Website: www.acem.org.au