title: International partnerships to foster growth in emergency medicine in Romania.
abstract: Emergency medicine (EM) is a growing specialty internationally, but has yet to be cultivated in countries with otherwise advanced health care systems. To promote the growth of EM, emergency physicians from countries where EM is a mature specialty can assist with knowledge transfer and development of emergency medical systems to make a lasting impact on the community served. We present our experience in assisting the development of emergency medicine in a university-affiliated regional hospital in Romania. The International Emergency Medicine Fellowship program at the University of Toronto established links in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in order to provide expertise and assist local leadership to stimulate growth in EM. In October 2005, a 3-member team travelled to Cluj-Napoca to provide input on how to best use a new physical plant, to deliver continuing education to physicians and nurses, and to help establish long-term development goals. The team identified the following priorities through a comprehensive needs assessment: physical plant organization and patient flow, staffing, staff education, equipment, medication and supplies, and infection control practices. In conjunction with local counterparts, a plan was developed addressing each priority. Staff, hospital administration and university officials report positive growth in EM as a result of the collaboration. Further work is underway to implement the plan, including international exchange trips to promote mutual growth between partners.
authors.affiliation: Centre for International Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. v.krym@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Valerie F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Krym
authors.forename: Rodica
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Retezar
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D009864:Ontario; D012383:Romania