Before our doctors can start flying with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, they must undertake rigorous and intense training simulations.
But how do our doctors know a career in helicopter emergency medicine is for them?
For the past three years, we have welcomed associate and junior fellows (junior doctors) to give them valuable insight into the world of pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM).
What is PHEM:
Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) is a subspecialty for anaesthesia, emergency medicine and intensive care medicine. It focuses on providing critical care both on scene and while in transit.
What is an associate and junior fellow?
Associate and junior fellows are junior doctors with differing levels of experience. Junior fellows are the more experienced group – these can apply for a formal PHEM training post in the next couple of years.
Eight fellows recently joined our team to sit in on training and governance days and undertake project work. The junior fellows also have the chance to ride along and observe some of the crew on their shifts on the road.
Our Medical Lead, Dr Lou Chan, explains more:
“The aim is to offer junior doctors different opportunities to get involved in PHEM and gain an understanding of the specialty. This will help them make an informed decision as to whether they would like to enter into subspecialty training. The fellows get a greater understanding of the challenges we face – and this all helps on their application form.
“Their projects also provide us with information that we use to improve the quality of care that we deliver to patients.”
