The emergency medicine capacity assessment study: Anticipated impact of a major increase in intern numbers in Australian ED

Abstract

Objective: To identify emergency medicine (EM) staff perceptions of EM intern rotation, the capacity of ED to accept an increase in intern numbers of 70%, attitudes of staff towards the increase, and its anticipated impact on management of ED, patient care and learning opportunities. Method: A semistructured telephone interview was conducted with ED Directors, Directors of Emergency Medicine Training (DEMT), advanced trainees and interns in EM from a stratified sample of city, metropolitan and rural/provincial public hospitals in Australia. Results: Ninety-five interviews were completed with 100% participation from ED Directors. Most participants agreed that the ED rotation should remain com..