General emergency medicine skills (GEMS) training for rural physicians: evaluation of a pilot project.

The objective of GEMS (General Emergency Medicine Skills) is to deliver an emergency skills program relevant to rural physicians. The cognitive component was disseminated by four interactive CD-ROM modules while the practice component consisted of skill practice on a human patient simulator (HPS) at a rural hospital. During the pilot year, 16 participants completed the program and filled in an evaluation survey to collect participant feedback.

Additional skills training for rural physicians. Alberta's rural physician action plan.

Problem Addressed: Rural physicians in Alberta identified access to special skills training and upgrading skills as an important practice requirement.

Objective Of Program: The Rural Physician Action Plan in Alberta developed an Enrichment Program to assist physicians practising in rural Alberta communities to upgrade their existing skills or gain new skills. The Enrichment Program aimed to provide a single point of entry to skills training that was individualized and based on the needs of rural physicians.