Should external short courses be a compulsory part of ACEM specialty training? Yes

Implementation of a series of mandatory short courses for ACEM trainees will necessitate clear pathways to accreditation, rigourous application of standards and demonstration by course providers of high-quality teaching of up-to-date practices. Trainees and their patients stand to reap wide-ranging benefits from these courses, which might also facilitate the transition to competency- (rather than time-) based training through the College. Completion by all trainees of compulsory courses will provide the community with clarity about the standards to which emergency physicians are trained and might result in improvements in patient outcomes – the very reason for our trainees' hard work and dedication.