New training for doctors in clinical acute and emergency medicine

The doctor's day decides a new additional training for physicians

In Germany, the additional further education "Clinical acute and emergency medicine" is now being introduced for physicians. The delegates of the German Medical Conference in Erfurt recently decided this in a vote. This is to respond to the rising trend of overcrowded emergency rooms, which are visited annually by about 21 million patients. The training period is 24 months and is carried out in an interdisciplinary emergency department. It should be available from 2020 in every state.

"This is an important milestone for medical work and patient care in emergency departments," reports Professor André Gries in a press release from the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DIVI). He significantly contributed to the training content. Building key, interdisciplinary emergency rooms requires additional qualifications for medical staff working in an emergency room, the professor said. The decision was an important success for patient safety and the quality of treatment.

With the new additional training in clinical acute and emergency medicine, the medical societies are responding to the rising trend in emergency room use. (Image: schulzfoto / fotolia.com)

Teamwork enabled the realization

The concept of continuing education was supported by numerous institutions. The DIVI and the German Society for Interdisciplinary Emergency and Acute Medicine (DGINA) developed the concept. The process was moderated by the German Medical Association. Over the past two years, the professional societies have worked closely together to realize the project. The training should cover all relevant areas of clinical acute and emergency medicine.

persuasion

In joint persuasion the fears of some physicians could be eliminated.
"Especially the big, traditionally strong subjects had to learn first that nobody gives up their core competencies," explains Gries. Continuing education could significantly improve the quality of care. In addition, with the additional training and the attractiveness of the medical profession in emergency medicine can be strengthened.

From 2020, it should start

Currently, a body of federal and state medical associations deals with the practical implementation in the individual federal states. "It will certainly take us one to two years until the additional further education is established nationwide between Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein," says Gries. From 2019, the beginning in individual states would be conceivable. In contrast to the fact that the necessity of further qualifications in the emergency departments has been discussed for more than ten years, this is a manageable period.

Which prerequisites do doctors need??

Doctors who wish to complete this additional training must have specialist training in an area relevant to emergency medicine. These include, for example, the fields of general medicine, anesthesiology, surgery, internal medicine, pediatric and juvenile medicine, neurosurgery or neurology. In addition, the doctor must have the so-called "emergency doctor's course", which enables him to carry out the activity of an emergency doctor. In addition, at least six months of intensive care work must have taken place. (Vb)