The use of an asynchronous learning network for senior house officers in emergency medicine

Full-shift working by senior house officers (SHOs) is well recognised as a definite constraint to effective group learning, as it is practically impossible to gather all team members together for teaching sessions at any given time. Provision of a robust weekly teaching programme is further compromised in units where relatively few doctors participate in the rota in any case. Although practical skills tuition will always demand an intensive, hands-on learning environment, teaching in relation to case-based discussion, clinical problem solving and other group activities may well be suited to more innovative methods.