ACEM in midlife: Lessons from the emergency medicine building our future summit
In 2023, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) turned 40. For many, midlife is an important time to reflect on the past, take stock of identity, examine values and set priorities for the next season – and ACEM is not exempt from this period of soul-searching.
EM Day 2023: A lack of safety is not part of the job
Saturday the 27th of May is Emergency Medicine Day. This year, the Emergency Medicine Day campaign is dedicated to safety – for patients and colleagues. ACEM President Dr Clare Skinner writes that we must work together to ensure safety in the ED and change the culture that tells us a lack of safety is just part of the job – because it isn’t.
What factors help and hinder efforts to address incivility in Australasian emergency departments? A modified Delphi study of FACEM perspectives
The causes of incivility in Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand EDs are complex and highlight incivility in EDs as a key adaptive leadership challenge of emergency physicians. Fundamentally, the results underscore the need to foster a workplace culture of respect, inclusion and civility in Australasian hospitals.
‘Better Care for a Better World’: Conference summary of the 21st International Conference on Emergency Medicine
The 21st International Conference on Emergency Medicine was held in June 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Over 1600 emergency care providers from more than 60 countries participated in the meeting.
Getting everyone to sing in harmony
A talk about music, medicine and leadership delivered at Don’t Forget The Bubbles Refresh Conference 30th August 2022
ACEM statement on primary care and emergency department pressures
Lack of accessible, affordable, and coordinated primary and community-based care – including GPs, other medical specialists, and allied health professionals – can lead to people’s chronic health conditions worsening significantly over time.
Every part of the health system needs reforming to put patients back at the centre
We are in the most challenging times our health professionals have ever faced and only deep, structural reform can fix the crisis.
“The health system we have right now in Australia is not normal, not fair and not safe”
According to Dr Clare Skinner, President of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), history has shown that pandemics trigger significant social change, and Australia now has a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a better, fairer, safer health system”.
GEMSEM Gold 2022 - Welcome
Looking after elderly patients in ED is a great honour, and a great responsibility.
Health workforce: not normal, not safe, but it can be fixed
Because what is the most important thing in the health system? It is the people who work in it. Without skilled health care workers, there is no health system at all.
President Dr Clare Skinner’s address on International Women’s Day 2022
Today (8 March 2022) is International Women’s Day. The theme this year is ‘break the bias’. I was asked to speak with you about what it means to me. But, I often feel a bit uncomfortable about International Women’s Day. And I will explain why.
Building a collective wish list for health reform
In the run up to the Federal budget on 29 March and an election by 21 May, this article continues a Croakey series asking: what health issues should be elevated in national debate?
From the Omicron wave, some moments of reflection
This story, by emergency medicine specialist Dr Clare Skinner, is fiction, but clearly reflects the reality of the pressures on emergency departments in recent months, as well as the opportunities for moments of connection.
ACEM President Reflections and Handover 2021
ACEM President Handover speech November 9 2021
The Stolen Case
Friday October the 15th is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Clare Skinner shares a story about loss and asks us to reflect on how we might care for patients and colleagues better. A trigger warning – discussion of miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
At a time of writing articles for Croakey - a Twitter thread
Health care has changed in response to the pandemic. There have been many mistakes, but there are a lot of good things that have happened too. We should use what we have learned to drive positive change into the future. We should use this opportunity to build back fairer.
At a time when visionary leadership is sorely needed, don’t miss these five suggestions for transforming health
You might not guess it from our national health debate that is tiredly rehashing outworn arguments about hospital financing, but the pandemic could open the door for transformative changes for health.
Advancing leadership in Australasian emergency medicine: Taking stock and looking ahead
Since 2018, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine has collaborated with the Swinburne University of Technology on a research project to understand and enhance the leadership capacity of emergency physicians, beginning with Australasian Directors of Emergency Medicine (DEMs). This programme has revealed the complexity of leadership in emergency medicine.
Emergency physicians call for whole of system reform
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine continues with significant advocacy on ED overcrowding and access block. We ask that colleagues in other specialties and professions stand with us to advocate for change. Together, we must engage with decision makers and work towards a common goal: timely access to affordable, safe, and effective health care for all Australians.
Happy International Emergency Medicine Day 2021
I had a fantastic shift the other night. It (mostly) worked well. It reminded me about what I loved about Emergency Medicine when I started out and why I chose this specialty. I've been thinking on why it went so well.