Journal article
A case-study of the experiences of junior medical officers in the emergency departments of a metropolitan hospital and rural hospital
The Australian journal of rural health, Vol.27(6), pp.476-481
12/2019
PMID: 31691410
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Objective
Increased exposure to post-graduate rural medical training is associated with increased likelihood of future rural practice. Training rotations in rural emergency departments provide a possible avenue for such exposure, but have been under-investigated. This study aimed to compare junior medical officers' emergency department experiences in a metropolitan and a rural hospital to inform rural health workforce initiatives.
Design
Mixed-method case-study design.
Setting
Two 10-week periods in the respective emergency departments.
Participants
Four junior medical officers at the rural site and 22 junior medical officers at the metropolitan hospital.
Main outcome measures
Caseloads extracted from electronic medical records and training experience.
Results
Data were collected over 142 days. The average number of patients seen per day, per junior medical officer, was significantly higher at the rural hospital emergency department (7.2 patients per day) in comparison with the metropolitan hospital (4.3 patients per day). Junior medical officers at the rural hospital saw relatively more lower acuity patients. The seven junior medical officers who were interviewed provided consistently positive responses regarding their training experiences in both locations. This was particularly evident in the rural hospital and was attributed to one-on-one supervision.
Conclusions
Most junior medical officers agreed that their expectations for support and learning opportunities were met and/or exceeded. However, junior medical officers reported feeling more supported at the rural hospital due to direct contact and communication with senior medical officers. Placement in a smaller hospital emergency department did not disadvantage the junior medical officers' training in this case-study and provided a positive rural training experience. These findings support workforce policies which encourage rural hospital emergency department training.
Details
- Title
- A case-study of the experiences of junior medical officers in the emergency departments of a metropolitan hospital and rural hospital
- Creators
- Andrew Bonney - University of WollongongJudy Mullan - University of WollongongAthena Hammond - University of WollongongPippa Burns - University of WollongongGeorgia Yeo - Milton Medical Centre (Milton, New South Wales)Brett Thomson - University of WollongongSharon Flynn - Coast City Country General Practice Training (Wagga Wagga, New South Wales)Tom Carrigan - Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
- Publication Details
- The Australian journal of rural health, Vol.27(6), pp.476-481
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 6
- Grant note
- Coast City Country General Practice Training
- Identifiers
- 991013154235002368
- Copyright
- © 2019 National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article