ER new members: an educational path

The organizational complexity of the Emergency Department (ED) of Santa Chiara Hospital (Trento, Italy), together with the peculiar type of clinical and human interactions competence required in the field (until now in Italy there is not a specific postgraduate course for ED physicians), prompted us to devise a structured program to appointing the new physician in order to help him to gradually acquire the skills needed to perform in a safe, for him and for the patients, setting. Considering the methodological aspects stemming from the theory of adult learning and, in particular, learning from reflection on fieldwork experiences, the presence of a tutor and the briefing/ debriefing methodology were given a central position in the program. Activities, timing, goals, learning opportunities were then specified together with a calendar showing the expert physician to refer to for each work shift.The program, accredited as ECM, was tested and presented for evaluation to the newcomers themselves, to the Head of the Emergency Unit and to the expert colleagues, receiving a positive appraisal. Of high value were considered the list of learning opportunities and the presence of a tutor as coordinator of the process