The Gap in Medical Education and Training

In 2005 NSW IMET undertook a review of emergency medicine training in NSW. The review found that there were 145 emergency departments in NSW, and only approximately 40 of them had emergency medicine specialists on staff. The remaining hospitals were staffed by other doctors including Career Medical Officers (CMOs), Multiskilled Medical Officers (MMOs), Senior Resident Medical Officers (SRMOs), GP-VMOs, Hospitalists and locums.

The review also found that there was a great deal of concern about the training provided to this group of “non-specialist” doctors. Their level of skill and knowledge was dependent on several factors including: their level of experience; their personal efforts to obtain training and education; and the efforts of their employer to provide them with education and training. This often meant they were getting excellent training, however, some were falling through the gap.

In early 2006 NSW IMET began the development of the Hospital Skills Program, to provide a structured program for doctors dedicated to the hospital system, and on whom the system relies. Reports were provided to the NSW Department of Health in June 2006 and March 2007.