Self-directed study and mentoring

All EM Masterclasses aims to guide, stimulate and challenge you, but is intentionally designed NOT to deliver significant quantities of content. There will not be any lectures or reading materials on medical topics. Instead, the majority of the EM Masterclasses will consist of self-directed study. Participants will be responsible for finding and studying their own appropriate sources of content. During the Masterclass evening and Masterclass days, we will further analyse this knowledge and integrate it with participants’ existing practice. This approach reflects the latest insights into medical education, and is also the way we are expected to keep ourselves up-to-date as medical specialists – for the remainder of our careers.

In the study guide you will find learning outcomes, and case-based guidance through each subject. To get you started, we have listed some suggested literature at the end of each topic. While the Authors think these articles are important, they are not the only sources available to you, nor should you think that after reading them all, you will necessarily have all the knowledge you need.

We estimate that an average of at least 10 hours per week will be necessary to obtain the desired level of knowledge and achieve the learning outcomes. However, because each participant will have different areas of strength and weakness, by necessity the effort that needs to be put in will vary from topic to topic.

Each participant will be paired up with a mentor. Their role will be to guide, motivate, and challenge participants. We have been very fortunate to have gained the commitment of a group of Emergency Physicians with extensive experience as teachers. For this Masterclass, most mentors are based overseas, so communication will be mostly internet-based. Mentor contact should be organised by mutual appointment, approximately once a week. Dynamic contact (e.g. via Skype, Facetime, or telephone) will best suit interaction and lively discussions. Email can be a valuable addition if scheduling proves difficult, but will by its nature be more static.

Mentors will evaluate participants’ progress, may help set goals and deadlines, and will trigger stimulating conversation to enhance learning. They are available for any issue, question, or concern that may arise in the process of studying. Mentors will help participants achieve the learning outcomes, so participants’ level of knowledge going into the Masterclass days in December is as high as possible. Mentors can also be useful in helping participants fine-tune their approach to studying, so that it is effective and sustainable for the future of their careers as Emergency Physicians.

One thing needs to be emphasised in advance: whatever your expectations and goals with respect to this Masterclass, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it!