Along with required protected time for core faculty, the ACGME requires that they engage in a significant amount of scholarly activity, with specific requirements related to peer-review publications. In the community-based practice setting, this will be a change and a challenge related to the infrastructure of the sponsoring institutions, most frequently community hospitals.

Finally, current ACGME requirements include that the sponsoring institution for an EM program has a major educational commitment as evidenced by existing training programs in other major specialties to include internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology. Once again, in a community hospital setting, the sponsoring institution may not have this supporting infrastructure in place.

As the ACGME/AOA merger advances, these significant differences will come to light. They are not insurmountable, and a thoughtful discussion aimed at a beneficial compromise for all programs will prevail. In the end, our uncompromising goal remains to provide the highest quality training and preservation of our hard-earned and staunchly supported EM programs.

Special thanks to Robert Hunter, DO, MPH, FACOEP, program director in emergency medicine at Grandview Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio; Thomas Matese, DO, FACOEP, program director in emergency medicine at St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida; Mark Mitchell, DO, FACOEP, president of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians; and Sandy Schneider, MD, FACEP, ACEP director of emergency medicine practice and former chair of the University of Rochester department of emergency medicine.

Dr. Parker is chair of the ACEP Board of Directors and clinical assistant professor at Texas Tech University in El Paso. Dr. Robinson is vice chair and program director in the department of emergency medicine at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, and past president of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians.

Reference

1. ACGME program requirements for graduate medical education in emergency medicine. Available at: https://www.acgme.org/acgmeweb/Portals/0/PFAssets/2013-PR-FAQ-PIF/110_emergency_medicine_07012013.pdf. Accessed April 10, 2015.