What is ruralEM?

Created to facilitate case discussions that reflect the ACRRM Advanced Specialised Training (AST) in Emergency Medicine curriculum, ruralEM is an online 'community of practice’ open to ACRRM Members.

Facilitating the forum are lead facilitator Dr Minh Le Cong and a group of highly experienced FACRRM emergency medicine clinicians. Every three weeks, you’ll be presented with challenging cases, drawn from the diverse experiences of the forum facilitators. You'll be invited to discuss how to best manage the presented emergency medicine situations in resource-limited environments as they unfold. Participants can expect plenty of scenarios such as, "but what if that particular drug / equipment / investigations / person / transport / communication is not available?"

At the end of each discussion, the facilitators summarise the important learning points along with further references relevant to the issues raised. Each summarised case is published on the site as an enduring learning resource. These case pages can also be viewed by curriculum area, providing a lasting learning resource.

All cases are mapped against the ACRRM Rural Generalist Curriculum, Advanced Specialised Training (AST)-EM to ensure a wide variety of clinical material is covered to help fill any gaps in participants' knowledge and experience.

ruralEM Access

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Who is ruralEM for?

While ruralEM is open to all ACRRM Members, the discussion forum will be of particular interest and relevance to:

  • Medical students and junior doctors contemplating a career in Rural Generalist emergency medicine
  • Registrars preparing for AST-EM Structured Assessment using Multiple Patient Scenarios (StAMPS) or other emergency medicine exams
  • Experienced rural doctors for whom emergency medicine is a significant component of their practice
  • Urban-based ACRRM Fellows looking to refresh emergency medicine knowledge and skills prior to undertaking rural locums

What you'll get through ruralEM

add-squareNew cases submitted every three weeks, designed and facilitated by emergency medicine experts

medical-resources-folderAccess to 90+ emergency medicine cases and discussion forums

check-shieldContinuous upskilling and the opportunity to earn CPD performance review hours, as part of the ACRRM Continuing Professional Development framework

multiple-circleEngage in a community of 1400+ rural generalists with an interest in emergency medicine

Why you should enrol in ruralEM

Among the opportunity to hone your existing skills in emergency medicine, you’ll learn to:

  • Recognise "red flags" in patients presenting to the emergency department
  • Manage human and physical resources in the rural/regional ED
  • Appropriate use of imaging, pathology and other diagnostic tools
  • Manage urgent clinical problems without immediate specialist assistance or advice
  • Anticipate potential complications before they arise
  • Consider social, cultural and other factors relevant to patient management
  • Use effective communication with patients, relatives, colleagues and other health professionals
  • Prepare patients for safe transfer to another facility

Meet the ruralEM Moderators