Tracks

In 2009 we opened two “Tracks” (The Academic Track and The Scholars in Advocacy Track) within the residency curriculum. These are completely voluntary experiences designed for residents who may have special interest in these niche areas for future career augmentation. Each Track provides a series of educational and experiential opportunities beginning with the EMR2 academic year. Participants receive acknowledgment for participation in their official exit letter at graduation.

In July 2010 we also added the Out of Hospital Care Track (EMS/Mass Gathering/Disaster Planning).

Mission

In July 2009 we formally transitioned our Longitudinal Academic Teaching Elective to the Academic Track. The purpose of the Academic Track is to teach interested residents about the skill sets required for a successful career in academic EM.

Participation is entirely voluntary, and begins with orientation sessions held in the latter portion of the EMR1 year. Participants have assigned readings complemented by precepted teaching shifts during the R3 year. We meet 6-8 times per year to discuss readings and share experiences about academic career issues. Participants are encouraged to attend the CORD “Navigating the Academic Waters” (junior faculty development conference) during the EMR2 year at the residency’s expense.

We believe that this Track permits more informed decision making about academic career pathways to include clinical teaching, fellowships, and academic writing and management skills. All reading material is provided. Meetings always include senior and junior level faculty as well as participating residents. About one-half of the meetings are held in the evening over dinner.

A partial topic list includes the following:

Fellowships: Are they right for me?

Selecting the "Right" Academic Position

The “Academic Skill Set”

Computer skills: Word, PowerPoint, End Note, Search skills
Teaching Skills: bedside to classroom
Research skills: grants, focus, getting started
Writing skills, from memos to manuscripts
Professional development, P&T, medical school structure
Mentoring and advising
Time management in an academic career

Bedside Teaching and Assessment Skills

Setting realistic learner expectations
Balancing patient flow and education
From shift to grade: formative and summative feedback
Using teaching resources during a shift
On-line teaching resources and aids

The classroom as a learning center

Didactic and small group leadership.
Entertainer versus Communicator: How to avoid being a dull presenter, and how to maximize learner retention
Power Point tricks
How to lead or play well on a committee

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword: Writing Skills

Memos and e-mails
Resumes/Proposals
Manuscripts
End Note tutorial
Editorial reviewer skills
Creativity
Posters, Tables and Graphs

Professional Development and Life Long learning

Wellness, balancing career and family
Special challenges for women faculty
EBM/EMBERS and more
Educator’s Portfolio
Time management
Mentors /Letters of Recommendation
Networking
Keeping Up, Staying Energized
Curriculum development
Leadership Skills

Mission

In July of 2009 we formalized our departmental advocacy efforts through the development of the Scholars in Advocacy Track. This Track serves to:

Produce physician leaders in emergency medicine advocacy who will be the voices of change in society
Promote patient-centered, not physician centered advocacy strategies
Inspire exceptional professionalism and systems-based practice
Ingrain physician social responsibility
Cultivate advocacy vision that places individual patients in the context of larger community, system, or health policy
Teach the basic principles of health policy and interaction with legislative process

These goals will be accomplished through mentoring, modeling, education and outreach, information flow and innovations in scholarship.

A partial list of activities and opportunities include:

Projects

Starfish partnership (Tutoring at risk children)
Legislative Reception
Statehouse Day
EMSC resident member of advisory committee
Annual Bike Safety Fair
IN State Fair Booth
Annual Smoke-out activities

Health Policy Elective Rotation

Yearly Grand Rounds

Writing opportunities

IU website
INACEP
INAAP
SAEM
Indy Star

Mission

In the 2009-2010 academic year, Indiana University Emergency Medicine Division of Out-of-Hospitaln Care took a major step forward to formalize the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) curriculum in the residency by developing a formal EMS Track. This scholarly track serves residents who are committed to developing the unique skill set which enables them to participate more fully in EMS endeavors in a community, academic, and/or administrative setting after completing the residency.

Participation is completely voluntary and begins in the first year after the resident acknowledges a desire to explore this EMS-specific skill set. We do this by pairing the resident with a mentor based on an interest in one or more of the many unique prehospital subspecialty areas listed below. The R1 also shadows an upper level resident who is functioning as an assistant EMS medical director in one of the many EMS systems in central Indiana that we oversee. Advancement to an R2 brings the opportunity to take over assistant EMS medical directorship of their respective EMS system and spend time on the streets paired with a paramedic team as an EMS physician. As an R3, the resident advances to Associate EMS Medical Director for their system. Also, now familiar with the Wishard EMS system, the R3 responds in an EMS administrative vehicle, backing up critical runs, operating as on-scene medical control, and working on EMS administrative skills. The capstone of our experience is participation in the NAESMP EMS Medical Directors Course prior to completion of residency.

We believe the EMS track provides the interested resident physician with the job skills to function as community-based EMS medical director after graduation and provides a solid stepping stone for work in larger metropolitan areas by preparing the resident for an EMS fellowship.

Structure Overview

Assistant/Associate EMS Medical Directorship - Allows the resident physician to function as an assistant and then associate EMS medical director under the supervision of the EMS Medical Directors in our division. Modeling and directed mentorship facilitates experience in EMS provider education, patient care form audit, CQI activities, and administrative skills.
Wishard EMS Physician Shift Differential - Upper level residents work on the streets as third provider on paramedic transport unit or independently on administrative vehicle The residents are scheduled 1-2 less ED departmental shifts each EM block to allow for this time on the streets.
Medic 15 Paramedic Program - A unique opportunity for the upper level EM resident to function as one of two providers on a MD/EMT-P transport unit. After arbitrary completion of skill set development the opportunity for the resident to become more autonomous in the prehospital setting.
EMS Administrative Vehicle - Developed based on the needs of the EMS resident physician. Allows the resident, after successful completion of EVOC course and the prehospital care provider role development during the R2 year to step into an administrative role as an R3. This typically mirrors the career niche of the EMS-interested resident.

Subspecialty Areas

Motorsports Medicine – Indianapolis is world-renowned for our racing venue. Our flagship subspecialty is motorsports medicine. Experience at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and the Izod Indycar Series is mentored by the respective medical directors Geoff Billows MD & Michael Olinger MD. Residents participate by training with and joining the track-side emergency response team at the IMS. Resident track participants may have the opportunity to travel with IRL on their own time.
Mass Gathering Medicine-Primarily related to motorsports medicine with an infield hospital focus on IMS events and care of the 40,000 participants of the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. New opportunities at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis Convention Center, and Conseco Fieldhouse for non-motor sports mass gathering medical care.
Tactical EMS-Area for resident development by utilizing Dan O’Donnell & Ed Bartkus’ MD relationship with the Indianapolis Metro Police, Indiana State Police, and the FBI.
Urban Search And Rescue-Residents have the opportunity to train with Indiana Task Force-1; one of 28 FEMA sponsored US&R Task Forces. These Task Forces are multi disciplined teams designed to respond to and rescue victims from collapsed structures. By their third year, residents will be qualified to deploy with the Task Force on national incidents. Historically, residents have been deployed to numerous hurricanes, the 9/11 World Trade Center incident, and a grain elevator explosion in KS.
Pediatric EMS- In March 2009, Indiana University School of Medicine received funding from Health Resources and Services Administration to re-establish the Indiana Emergency Medical Services for Children (I-EMSC) program. This grant is designed to improve statewide infrastructure and capabilities to provide emergency care to children in the pre-hospital and hospital settings. Opportunities within pediatric EMS and the I-EMSC program include development of pre-hospital educational design and outreach, development of infrastructural support for rural agencies, needs assessment analysis, and model protocol development.

Why IUEM EMS Works:

Long history of unique EMS opportunities
Resident culture
Spirit of improvement that permeates the IUEM program
Longstanding relationships and integration into regional EMS

Contact:

Andrew Stevens steveand@iupui.edu