The Foundation Programme and the emergency department: a review of the curriculum and experience of a UK pilot

The emergency department will have an important role within the Modernising Medical Careers Foundation Programme (FP) in the United Kingdom. Many of the key competencies required of Foundation training relate to acute medical care. However, the Foundation curriculum is a large and complex document. Some of the detail within it has particular implications for emergency medicine. Issues of curriculum content, teaching styles, and assessment have a potentially significant effect upon established working practices in a typical unit. This paper examines the FP curriculum to allow a clearer understanding of its key elements. Problems in relation to delivery of teaching and the quantity of assessment required are highlighted and solutions discussed. Experience from a UK pilot site for Foundation training in emergency medicine which began in August 2004 is used to illustrate how some of these issues have been addressed. The review concludes with a series of practical hints and tips which others may find useful as they prepare to incorporate FP trainees locally.