Emergency physicians at their core are team players, have a positive attitude and are willing to take on a challenge.
That was some of the advice ACEM President Dr Simon Judkins delivered when he spoke to the Melbourne Emergency Students' Society at the University of Melbourne this week.
Dr Judkins was invited to speak to the group on a number of topics including the evolution of emergency medicine, what exactly the specialty involves, the day-to-day work of an emergency physician, experiences in the emergency department, challenges and rewards, and advice for students/junior doctors interested in emergency medicine.
The Society, run by medical students at the university, focuses on providing activities that facilitate, enrich, and expand the emergency medicine interests of its members. It aims to increase awareness of the specialty and equip medical students with the knowledge and resources to become active in the field of emergency medicine.
“As a speciality emergency medicine is based on patients’ needs, whoever turns up to your front door you will offer them the same level of help,” Dr Judkins told the students. “In that sense it is quite pure in the fact it is all about the medicine, it is all about the patient.”
Dr Judkins highlighted that the College training program was accommodating to trainees and their lives.
“The College advocates for a work-life balance and so we are very mindful when trainees are completing the program life does not stop, you could be starting a family, buying a house, and so we want to make sure the training program is flexible and adaptable,” Dr Judkins said.
“In saying that, there are expectations and requirements that have to be met within certain timeframes.”
Dr Judkins was also asked a number of questions by the students that covered subjects such as education, training, internships, rural and regional work, advocacy priorities for the College and workforce wellbeing.
“I enjoyed the night and thank the students for the opportunity to address them, and based on their enthusiasm, knowledge and willingness to learn, the future of emergency medicine has never been in better hands,” Dr Judkins said.
