Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2017) |
Abbreviation | ACEM |
---|---|
Formation | 1981 |
Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia |
Region | Australia and New Zealand |
Staff (2019) | 95 |
Website | acem |
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), based in Melbourne Australia, is the primary training body for specialist emergency physicians in Australia and New Zealand. The college is recognised by the Australian Medical Council and Medical Council of New Zealand as such and provides services for approximately 2700 Fellows and 2600 Trainees.
Role
As an educational institution, ACEM's prime objective is the training and examination of specialist emergency physicians for Australia and New Zealand. ACEM was established in 1981, incorporated in 1984, and with Foundation Editor
Its principal role is oversight of
ACEM has a wide range of subsidiary objectives relating to emergency department accreditation, policies and standards for the emergency medical system, teaching and research, publication, and those aspects of the medico political framework that have a direct impact on health outcomes for emergency patients.
Criticism
In late January 2017, ACEM was publicly criticised for passing only 6.8% of non-white applicants whereas 88% of white caucasians passed in one particular batch. A lecturer at the college, Associate Professor Dr Bob Dunn of Royal Adelaide Hospital was reported as responding that overseas trained doctors lacked the training to meet Australian requirements, relying on rote learning. They needed "tough love", he said. Some medical professionals pointed out many of the “non-white” doctors were born and bred in Australia, but still found themselves facing minuscule pass rates.[2] The college initiated an inquiry through an expert advisory group chaired by Dr Helen Szoke to look into the matter.[3] The terms of reference from the college stated that "Discrimination has no place in the College and its role in emergency medicine training and education. The College recognises that discrimination can have a serious impact on those affected by it: it demeans the worth of individuals; it prevents our people from reaching their true potential; and it causes the loss of highly desirable talent from our profession. The College accepts readily its responsibility to eliminate discrimination in its processes."[4]
References
- ^ "History of Emergency Medicine in Australia and New Zealand". Life in the Fastlane. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
- ^ Klan, Anthony (31 January 2017). "Doctors in race claim lacking in key skills". The Australian. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ "Emergency Medicine college ACEM appoints former human rights commissioner to investigate claims of systemic racism in training". Pre Hospital Med. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ "ACEM - Expert Advisory Group". ACEM. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.