Emergency Medicine training pathway

The Emergency Medicine Physician Training Pathway is provided via the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM). Additional information in relation to the training programs is outlined below:

• Training
• Rotations
• Recognition of prior learning
• Flexibility in training
• More information

Emergency medicine training takes a minimum of seven years to complete on a full-time basis. This is comprised of two years basic training, a minimum of one year provisional training and four years advanced training. The first two years of basic training may include Post Graduate Years 1 and 2 which may be credited retrospectively. All accredited emergency medicine departments have a Director of Emergency Medicine Training (DEMT) to assist and supervise trainees.

Provisional:
Currently, the numbers of ACEM provisional trainees are not capped. Registration as a provisional trainee requires submission of appropriate documentation and application forms to ACEM and the signing of a memorandum of understanding from the DEMT and another Fellow of ACEM (FACEM).

Advanced:
At the conclusion of provisional training (and having passed the primary examination) the trainee must obtain three satisfactory structured references from three FACEMs (including one from the DEMT) to progress through the trainee selection process to advanced training. The number of advanced training positions are also uncapped.

Non ED: Trainees are required to include a minimum of 18 months experience in approved non-ED disciplines as part of their advanced training. This must include at least six months of critical care experience (ICU or anaesthetics).

ED: The minimum 30 month approved ED component of advanced training must include at least six months in an accredited major referral hospital and six months in an accredited regional/rural hospital.
Assistance with rotations may be obtained by contacting the DEMT in accredited hospitals but may be arranged independently by the trainee. ACEM can provide assistance with identifying accredited rotations but it is the trainee’s responsibility to organise their own rotations (with or without assistance from a DEMT).

The maximum allowed time period overall to complete all components of training is 12 years. Trainees may work in any accredited Emergency Department or undertake any accredited rotation but the responsibility to obtain such positions remains with the trainee.

For more information about Emergency Medicine Physician Training with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, please visit theAustralian College For Emergency Medicine (ACEM) website.

Download the Fact Sheet containing information about the Emergency Medicine Training Program.