The Emergency Medicine Capacity Assessment Study: perceived resource requirements to support a major increase in intern numbers in Australian emergency departments

Abstract

Introduction: A 70% increase in graduating interns is projected in Australia from 2007 to 2012. Emergency medicine is a key term in the intern year. There is little information on the preparedness of EDs for this increase, and what resources will be required.

Methods: Semistructured telephone interview to senior and junior ED medical staff nationwide with graded responses using a Likert scale or ordinal multi-category scales to enable quantitative analysis.

Results: 36 of 37 targeted hospitals were surveyed. 95 of 233 (40.1%) potential interviews were completed, including 61/61 (100%) of ED Directors. Communications systems and human resource adjustments were felt to be critical, including more supervisory staff and more time dedicated for senior medical staff to supervise. Thematic analysis confirmed the priorities were staffing and infrastructure requirements.

Discussion: We recommend attention to ED communications infrastructure, an increase in rostered supervisory time for senior ED medical staff, and the provision of additional ED medical educators to teach interns.