Summary
Instruction in emergency medicine at university schools of medicine: the current situation in Spain
Affiliation of the authors
DOI
Quote
Coll-Vinent Puig B, Sánchez M, Nogué Bou R, Miró O. Instruction in emergency medicine at university schools of medicine: the current situation in Spain. Emergencias. 2010;22:21-7
Summary
Objective: To analyze instruction given in emergency medicine in the medical school
programs at Spanish universities.
Methods: The curricula published by Spanish medical schools were consulted to
determine whether or not they offered a course on emergency medicine. If one was
listed, the content of the syllabus was analyzed. The search was conducted on each
university’s website. Unclear or missing data were checked by e-mailing or telephoning
the instructors.
Results: Twenty-two of the 28 medical school programs studied have at least 1 course
specifically focusing on emergency medicine, although in most cases the subject is an
elective and only lasts 4 months. The number of credits offered is similar to that of other
courses lasting the same amount of time. The number of credits and the scope and
content of the syllabi vary considerably, as do the methods of assessing student
performance. In general, the courses do not follow the recommendations of the Spanish
Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES).
Conclusions: Instruction in emergency medicine is commonly offered in Spanish
universities, although the courses are usually listed as electives. The approach to
instruction varies greatly from university to university. The syllabi of these undergraduate
courses generally do not follow SEMES recommendations.
