[INTEGRATION OF AN ADVANCED GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR A NEW SPECIALIZATION IN ISRAEL: THE NATIONAL ISRAELI COURSE IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE (NICEM)].

Abstract

Introduction: There are currently 29 emergency departments (EDs) in Israel seeing more than 3 million patients per year. Many of these departments are still staffed by residents in internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, and gynecology with emergency medicine (EM) being one of the youngest specialties in Israel. Training started as a 2.5-year fellowship after a primary residency and then a 4.5-year track was added. To "standardize care and raise the standard of care" a unique course - the National Israeli Course in Emergency Medicine (N.I.C.E.M.) was initiated in 2014. This is a national one-year course meeting with over 20 daily sessions, which is a requirement for all residents in the 4.5-year EM track. It is also unique in its emphasis on advanced pedagogic skills which include the flipped classroom, simulations, crisis resource management, case-based learning, and skill stations. The sessions cover the entire range of EM including resuscitation, critical care, trauma, orthopedics, and pediatrics. Point-of-care ultrasound is learned throughout the course. The integration of a mandatory nationwide Graduate Medical Education Course into the new specialty of Emergency Medicine in Israel has been challenging. New content and teaching methods are continually being introduced. The feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive, and the course has likely made a significant impact on ED patient care throughout the country.