Abstract
Optimizing processes and considering economic aspects have proven to be of benefit for developing emergency medical departments at hospitals in Germany and have been recognized as key regulatory elements for running a clinic. Procedures that run smoothly and optimal patient care ensure a high degree of patient satisfaction. Emergency medical departments represent an important calling card and ...
Abstract
Optimizing processes and considering economic aspects have proven to be of benefit for developing emergency medical departments at hospitals in Germany and have been recognized as key regulatory elements for running a clinic. Procedures that run smoothly and optimal patient care ensure a high degree of patient satisfaction. Emergency medical departments represent an important calling card and enhance the image of a hospital in the current competitive healthcare environment. However, the qualifications required for medical staff working in emergency departments in Germany have not yet been satisfactorily and clearly defined. In contrast to the qualifications that are required in order to work as an emergency physician in the preclinical setting, no separate certification has been established for working in the emergency room or for further specialty training in emergency medicine, as has been established in several other European countries. At present, the opportunities for physicians to become certified in clinical emergency medicine as part of their continuing education in one of the traditional specialities vary widely and are not even available in many places. Young doctors are very interested in emergency medicine and the emergency department but without the possibility of becoming certified or the chance to continue training, many do not see any future perspectives. The issue of whether a formal qualification can further optimize patient care in the emergency department also needs to be explored. This subject and that of continuing education for work in the emergency room have also been controversially debated in Germany for several years now. Thus, this article addresses the subject of medical qualifications in the emergency department, elucidates the present situation in Germany and offers some perspectives on future developments.
Altmetric