Medical emergencies in rural North Queensland: doctors perceptions of the training needs

Pandit, Tarsh, Sabesan, Sabe, and Ray, Robin A. (2018) Medical emergencies in rural North Queensland: doctors perceptions of the training needs. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 26 (6). pp. 422-428.

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Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore doctors' perceptions of the training needs of rural doctors in the context of managing emergencies in rural North Queensland.

Design: Using a qualitative approach, 20 semistructured interviews were conducted via telephone, video conference and in‐person. Using an interview guide, areas such as preparedness of junior doctors for rural practice, areas for further training and confidence with managing emergencies were discussed. Interviews were analysed using the principles of grounded theory. Participant recruitment continued until data saturation was achieved.

Setting: Multiple health facilities across three hospital and health services in North Queensland.

Participants: (i) Doctors with current or recent work in rural North Queensland; (ii) doctors involved with rural medical training; and (iii) emergency medicine specialists working in a tertiary referral centre.

Main outcome measure: Perspectives of doctors on the training needs of rural doctors in North Queensland.

Results: Rural doctors were found to be as prepared as they could be to take up rural practice; however, they still had training needs. Region‐specific emergencies, access to regular in‐house simulations and non‐medical challenges, including understanding local team dynamics and taking on a team leader role, were seen as key training needs. Senior doctors indicated that further formal and informal on‐the‐job training were required for provisional fellows with limited experience in the emergency department.

Conclusion: Certain training needs of rural doctors still remain unmet. Further access to in‐house simulations and tele‐training could be useful strategies to meet these training needs to further support rural doctors.

Item ID: 57055
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1440-1584
Keywords: education, emergency medicine, Queensland, rural health, simulation training.
Copyright Information: © 2018 National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
Date Deposited: 11 Feb 2019 22:43
FoR Codes: 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320207 Emergency medicine @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920199 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) not elsewhere classified @ 70%
92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920299 Health and Support Services not elsewhere classified @ 30%
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