Education links between the Australian rural and tertiary emergency departments: Videoconference can support a virtual learning community
Publication Details
Sweetman, G., & Brazil, V. (2007). Education links between the Australian rural and tertiary emergency departments: Videoconference can support a virtual learning community. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 19(2), 176-177. doi:10.1111/j.1742-6723.2007.00951.x
Abstract
Provision of structured education in rural and regional ED is challenging. The lack of critical mass of either FACEM or trainees, together with the service orientation of many of these hospitals, means that excellent clinical experience might go unreflected upon through formal educational activities.
The rural medical workforce crisis is well documented in emergency medicine and elsewhere.1,2 Data collected by rural workforce agencies strongly support access to high-quality continuing professional development as a key factor in the retention of rural medical workforce.3
Videoconference has been used by other specialities to provide education in the Australian rural setting and also to reduce professional isolation.4 There has been discussion of the specific technical issues and application in the rural setting.5
Keywords
peer-reviewed
