Sports medicine and the accident and emergency medicine specialist.
BACKGROUND
Sport and exercise related injuries are responsible for about 5% of the workload in the accident and emergency (A&E) department, yet training in sports medicine is not a compulsory part of the curriculum for Higher Specialist Training.


OBJECTIVE
To determine how A&E medicine consultants and specialist trainees view their role and skill requirements in relation to sports medicine.


METHODS
A modified Delphi study, consisting of two rounds of a postal questionnaire. Participants were invited to rate the importance of statements relating to the role and training of the A&E specialist in relation to sports injuries (six statements) and the need for knowledge and understanding of defined skills of importance in sports medicine (16 statements). VALUE OF RESEARCH: This provides a consensus of opinion on issues in sport and exercise medicine that have educational implications for A&E specialists, and should be considered in the curriculum for Higher Specialist Training. There is also the potential for improving the health care provision of A&E departments, to the exercising and sporting population.
Abernethy
L
L
Institute of Postgraduate Medical and Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. liz.abernethy@tinyworld.co.uk
McNally
O
O
MacAuley
D
D
O'Neill
S
S
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004635:Emergency Medicine; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D013178:Sports Medicine