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Lack of Proficiency in Musculoskeletal Medicine Amongst Emergency Medicine Physicians.
J Orthop Trauma. 2013 Jul 29;
Authors: Comer GC, Liang E, Bishop JA
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:: Emergency medicine physicians are frequently responsible for evaluating and treating patients with urgent or emergent musculoskeletal conditions, so it is critical that they achieve a basic level of proficiency in musculoskeletal medicine. However, inadequacies in musculoskeletal education have previously been documented amongst medical students, residents and attending physicians in a number of specialties. The goal of this study was to assess the proficiency with musculoskeletal medicine amongst emergency medicine physicians in particular.
METHODS:: A validated musculoskeletal medicine competency examination was administered to the emergency medicine residents and faculty at a university-affiliated level 1 trauma center. Demographic data and satisfaction with musculoskeletal education were also surveyed.
RESULTS:: Twenty-three emergency medicine residents and twenty-one attending physicians completed the survey. 35% of residents and 43% of attending physicians failed to demonstrate proficiency on the examination. Pass rates were not significantly different amongst junior residents, senior residents or attending physicians. 23% of respondents indicated that they were dissatisfied with their musculoskeletal education.
CONCLUSIONS:: Significant deficiencies in musculoskeletal education exist amongst emergency medicine physicians in training and attending staff. Given the frequency with which these physicians evaluate and treat acute musculoskeletal conditions, additional resources should be committed to their training.
PMID: 23899765 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Read more... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23899765?dopt=Abstract
