To the Editor: The study of intern activities in Melbourne emergency departments (EDs) highlighted gaps in the ED training of interns.1 In particular, it was shown that interns undertake a low number of procedural tasks. Most did not perform urinary catheterisation, nasogastric tube insertion or reductions of fractures and dislocations, just some of the skills highlighted as important in the Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors (ACFJD).2 Time pressure on supervisors was cited as a reason for this.
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- NSW Institute of Medical Education and Training, Sydney, NSW.
- 1. Zhu JN, Weiland TJ, Taylor DM, Dent AW. An observational study of emergency department intern activities. Med J Aust 2008; 188: 514-519. <MJA full text>
- 2. Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils. Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors project. http://www.cpmec.org.au/curriculum/welcome.cfm (accessed Oct 2008).
- 3. NSW Institute of Medical Education and Training. Discussion paper. Emergency terms — a mandatory requirement for general registration in NSW? http://www.imet.health.nsw.gov.au/www/472/1001127/displayarticle/publications-resources--1001214.html (accessed Oct 2008).