Career Development and Progression for Emergency Physicians Training: From Apprenticeship to “ClinicianPlus”

Abstract

Apprenticeship has always been the model of nurturing younger clinicians and medical students with “on the job” training. This period of experiential learning, astute observations and instructions are valuable in helping the growth and development of the next generation of professionals. The apprenticeship model is applicable across many disciplines of Medicine, including Emergency Medicine. This is also the model in use in the development of “Clinicians First; Clinicians Plus” program. Emergency physicians must be good, astute clinicians first. Then, based on their inclination, interest and talent, they have the option to select training tracks such as The Clinician-Educator, The Clinician-Scientist, The ClinicianInnovator or The Clinician-Entrepreneur tracks. These are just a few examples of the specialized training available. Each of the track will have a structured curriculum and training guidelines to ensure the necessary exposure, knowledge and information acquisition, immersive experiential learning with appropriate, dedicated mentors. For senior residents in Emergency Medicine, their growth in these different areas can be monitored using established frameworks. Commencing this immersion earlier, at the medical student level, is also possible. This is what is being done at Duke NUS Graduate Medical School. This unique approach helps prepare students not just to practice Medicine, but also, how to improve patients’ lives and make a difference, whilst at the same be allowed to pursue and develop in an area they find exciting and stimulating. Not only that, but their contributions, innovations, research and educational prowess will help shape the future of Emergency Medicine and how it is practiced.