Background
In the Midwest region, there are few opportunities to become involved with wilderness medicine education, and much of the valuable learning in the field comes through collaboration. In an effort to embrace this collaborative spirit, emergency medicine residents in Michigan have established the Wilderness Medicine Quarterly Lecture Rounds. This is a consortium among wilderness medicine groups at emergency medicine residency programs in Michigan.
Objective
The goal is to provide a continuing source of quality wilderness medicine education and an opportunity to connect and work with other like-minded medical providers. Moreover, this example may serve as a model for other geographical areas.
Methods
Each quarter, a wilderness medicine education day consisting of lectures and hands-on activities, is hosted by one of the participating residencies. The lectures are based on the core topics established by the Wilderness Medical Society’s Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) curriculum, and participating residents receive FAWM credit. The learning techniques incorporated in these courses combine multiple elements, including traditional lectures, small groups with hands-on practice, and simulation scenarios. The participants were surveyed to evaluate the program.
Results
At the meetings this year, hosted at Michigan emergency medicine residency programs, residents, students, and faculty from several institutions across the region were in attendance. Lectures were presented by attendings and residents from the various residency programs in the morning, and hands-on outdoor courses on land navigation and orienteering, splinting, and building litters and carries were held in the afternoon. Surveys of the program were overwhelmingly positive, and attendees responded that they would plan to attend future lecture days.
Conclusions
This collaboration offers a valuable learning tool for those involved in wilderness medicine in our region to improve their skills and knowledge while also providing a way for those new to the field to become involved.