Research Day
GLOBAL EMERGENCY MEDICINE FELLOWSHIPS: A SURVEY OF CURRICULA AND PRE-FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCES
Document Type
Abstract
Date
2021
Abstract
Introduction: Lack of accreditation requirements affords Global Emergency Medicine (GEM) fellowships the flexibility to customize curricula and content. A paucity of literature exists describing the state of GEM fellowship programs.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the current state of GEM fellowship curricula, including which components are commonly included, and highlighting areas of greater variability
Methods: GEM fellowships were identified and invited to participate in a web-based survey. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.
Results: Forty-six fellowship programs were invited to participate. Twenty-four responded; one duplicate response and one subspecialty program were excluded. Twenty-two remaining programs were included in the analysis. Nineteen programs (86%) offer a Masters in Public Health (MPH) and 36% require an MPH to graduate. Additionally, 13 programs (59%) offered graduate degrees other than MPH. Fellows average 61 clinical hours per month (95% CI = 53-68). Time spent overseas varies widely, ranging from 2 to 52 weeks per year over the course of the fellowship. The majority of programs offer courses in tropical medicine (range 2-24 weeks, median 4 weeks) and the Health Emergencies in Large Populations course. Only 32% of programs report offering formal ultrasound training. Fellows averaged 1.3 research projects prior to fellowship and median of 2.5 during fellowship (IQR 1,3). While the majority of GEM fellowship graduates work at US academic centers (59%), 24% work in US community hospitals, 9% work for non-profit organizations, and 9% work internationally in clinical practice.
Conclusion: Our results highlight the wide variability of curricular content and experiences offered