The definitive training for provision of Emergency Medicine in Australia is that of FACEM – Fellow of the Australasian  College of Emergency Medicine. This qualification however is primarily aimed at those doctors working in tertiary hospital Emergency Departments.

In rural Australia country doctors are, by default, responsible for emergency care. The aware of FACRRM encompasses training in emergency medicine, probably more so than FRACGP. Many rural doctors have considerable EM experience and keep up to date in this field.

In recent years, ACEM have suggested a Diploma pathway for non-FACEMs. Whilst recognition of prior learning is applicable for anaesthesia & ICU terms, previous ED experience is not allowed and it is a requirement that Diploma applicants undergo a supervised ED rotation under a FACEM – not really achievable for those rural doctors already in practice.

FOAMed helps rural doctors keep up-to-date with what is new in Emergency Medicine.