Search

In France, emergency departments (EDs) are not yet required to implement Morbidity and Mortality Conferences (M&MCs), but it is likely that they will soon be a requirement. We conducted a national survey through e-mail to evaluate current M&MC practices in EDs in France. Of the 232 questionnaires sent out, 149 responses were analyzed (64%). In total, 73 departments claimed that they carried out M&MCs, 36 (81.1%) at a University hospital (UH) compared with 37 departments (35%) at a non-UH (P < 0.001). In 29% of departments, M&MCs are held once a month (n = 21), in 34% every 2 months, and in 37% of departments they are held at longer intervals. Specialists are invited in 80% of departments (n = 58). All departments carrying out M&MCs finish with corrective action. The frequency with which M&MCs are conducted in EDs in France is low but is increasing. Currently, M&MCs are mainly conducted at UHs; this practice should develop in general hospitals as well.

French emergency medicine (EM) has undergone rapid changes with the establishment of a diploma in emergency medicine (DES). We aimed to question medicine students on their knowledge of and apprehensions regarding this new DES. We conducted an email cross-sectional survey among second-cycle medical students before their choice of resident speciality. This included a demographic study and an evaluation of the willingness to choose emergency specialization. Two thousand and three fully completed questionnaires were analysed. Twenty-six per cent of the students (n=524) planned to choose emergency specialization and 54% of the students (n=1084) knew that emergency specialization would be proposed as a full speciality. Seventy-six per cent of students considered it tough to practice as an entire career. This study clearly shows that EM represents an attractive option for medical students. The establishment of DES represents a major step in the improvement of EM.

Objective: This national survey was carried out to evaluate the quality programme for acute pain management in the emergency department (ED) and in pre-hospital emergency medical services (EMS)., Methods: Two types of questionnaires were sent to the chief consultant and the chief nurse of all ED and EMS. Data collected were: the type of structure, quality programme organization, acute pain management, and the training needs to initiate a pain quality programme., Results: A total of 363 questionnaires were recorded (198 from chief consultants) with 98% of questionnaires being usable. A pain management committee existed in 71% of cases, a quality committee in 83%. A complete quality control procedure existed in 53% of units. An audit on pain management was carried out in only 23% of cases. Training in quality was performed for 64% of physicians and 68% of nurses. Training specifically for pain management was carried out for physicians in 56% of cases and for nurses in 68% of cases. Pain therapeutics protocols existed in 69% of cases. Pain intensity was evaluated 'systematically or often' in 64% at the beginning of patient management, and in 56% at the end of patient management. The staff was 'not very motivated' for a pain management quality programme in less than 3% of responses. A total of 61% of chief consultants and 58% of chief nurses requested advice., Conclusion: Most ED and EMS units seem to master the quality control programme methodology. Units are highly motivated to initiate a quality control programme on pain. Nevertheless, its implementation could benefit from some external support.