Emergency physician training-survey of course participants regarding training conditions and motivation

Abstract

Qualification is the basis to prevent a shortage of emergency medicine service (EMS) physicians. To find out more about the motivation and training conditions young doctors attending EMS medicine courses were questioned. 33planned courses were identified and participants from 19 courses were asked to fill out the questionnaires. The questionnaires contained 22questions on person, motivation, support by the employer and individual aims of course attendance. 2,050 questionnaires were distributed, 970 (47.3%) were returned. Participants were 31.8 ± 5.2 years old (mean) and attended the course after 3.7 ± 4.3 years of clinical experience. 907 were in specialist training (237 surgery, 320 internal medicine, 269 anaesthesia). 751 participants planned to work as emergency physician in the future (196 possibly), 213 in urgent care centres. For 309 participants attendance was an employer requirement. Attendance was on educational leave (489), paid leave (258), annual leave (112) or free time (85). The course was fully (493) or partially (177) paid by the employer. Accommodation was paid for by physicians (525) or employers (287). Practical training on the ambulance was planned in free time or during annual leave (582), on paid leave (204) or during regular shifts (119). 682 participants hoped to gain more safety with in-hospital emergencies, 560 planned shifts on the ambulance of the own hospital and 511 planned to work on a free-lance basis. 388 physicians planned to use the services of an agency for free-lance work. While employers supported course attendance in more than 50%, the majority of the participants had to organise the practical training on the ambulance during free time. Only 58% planned to work on the ambulance as part of their regular job or 53% on a free-lance basis. Other participants attended in preparation for work in urgent-care or to gain competence in handling in-hospital emergencies.