Exploring Non-Formal Special Interest Group Activities in Emergency Medicine

Generated with sparks and insights from 10 sources

Introduction

Non-formal special interest group activities in Emergency Medicine (EM) are an essential aspect of medical education and professional development for physicians in this field.
These activities typically involve collaborative networks that connect professionals with common interests, furthering both individual education and the collective advancement of emergency medicine practices.
Emerging from conferences and symposiums, such groups often lead to the creation of specialized fellowships, publication opportunities, and research initiatives.
Examples of activities might include focused discussion series, collaborative research projects, the establishment of new training programs, and the development of educational resources such as online platforms and podcasts.
The increasing growth in EM education research, post-2012, is significantly attributed to the robust infrastructure enhanced by activities and initiatives from such special interest groups.

Growth: There has been a significant increase in emergency medicine education research since 2012, aligning with the AEM consensus conference goals.
Methods: Research in medical education often employs qualitative techniques like grounded theory, phenomenology, and case studies.
Publications: From 2010 to 2018, there was a more than threefold increase in publications relating to EM education.
Educational Innovations: Research has evolved in response to initiatives like the ACGME milestone project and novel educational modalities.
Consortiums: The development of networks like the EM Education Research Consortium has been crucial to fostering collaboration.

Conferences: Major conferences serve as platforms for discussing and developing agendas for future EM research.
Workshops: Development opportunities include workshops focused on advanced research methodologies.
Collaborations: These opportunities often bring together practitioners from different disciplines to enhance learning.
Task Forces: The ARMED MedEd task force was created to cater to scholars with basic knowledge of education research.
Networking: Conferences and forums also offer ample networking opportunities for professionals.

EM Fellowships: There are multiple fellowships focused on education innovations and scholar development.
Program Growth: The number of EM education fellowships has steadily increased, guided by past consensus conference recommendations.
Structure: Fellowships are designed to develop education scholars with a focus on research, teaching, and learning theories.
Certification Programs: Structured HPE degree and certification programs have seen substantial global growth.
Professional Standards: The SAEM Fellowship Approval Committee ensures uniformity and standards in fellowships.

Frameworks: The 'MERC at CORD Scholars Program' offers a structure for project development and interinstitutional collaborations.
Interprofessional Programs: Opportunities like Harvard Macy and AAMC MERC programs offer courses for health professions educators.
FOAM Movement: Initiatives aim to foster ongoing development of clinician educators through collaborative online resources.
Increased Offerings: Institutions now offer robust faculty development programs at various levels.
Innovations: New forms of education include longitudinal project courses developed for skill enhancement.

Journal Growth: There has been an increase in medical education research outlets due to demands for more publication venues.
New Journals: Introduced journals include 'AEM Education and Training' and the 'Journal of Education and Teaching in Emergency Medicine'.
Open Access: The rise of open access resources is changing how scholarship is shared and accessed.
Publication Types: There is an increasing application of Social Science Methods, like qualitative research, in EM.
Peer Review: There's a rising demand for reviewers knowledgeable in social sciences and education-based methodologies.

Funding Growth: There has been increased recognition of the need for investment in EM education research.
Grant Opportunities: Organizations like ACEP and CAEP offer specialty-specific Funding Opportunities for research.
Support Systems: Incremental funding is crucial for investigators, helping them enhance the knowledge base complexity.
Mentorship: Initiatives aim to overcome funding obstacles by fostering collaboration and mentorship among researchers.
Limited Resources: Despite the growth, funding opportunities remain limited, indicating a need for more comprehensive support.