This course is designed for licensed physicians who wish to operate as an organization’s medical director. The course explores AEMED’s curricular, approach to the austere context and protocols; and gives participants an opportunity to experience working in an austere context.

Faculty: Austere Medicine
Course Name: Austere Medical Director
Course Code:  AMD
Duration: 45 Hours
Mode: Face-to-face
Level: ALS

Prerequisites: This course requires participants to be certified at an AM-CC level, or hold an MD, DO, or other recognized medical degree.

Packaging: The course may be delivered over 5 or more full-time days. Part-time courses must be approved by the Curriculum Director.management system. Part-time courses must be approved by the Curriculum Director.

Instructional Strategies: This course combines lecture-based instruction with practical application. Instructional strategies include pre-reading, lectures, discussions, demonstrations, practical application, simulation, and presentations.

Effort Breakdown: 8 prep hours, 12 lecture hours, 12 practical hours, 12 simulation hours, 3 assessment hours

Certification: Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive an internationally recognised certification from Austere & Emergency Medicine International in Austere Medical Direction (AMD), valid for three years. Re-certification can be achieved by attending a refresher course.

MANDATORY UNITS:

1. Introduction to the Austere Environment
2. Medicolegal Considerations
3. Working with Diverse Cultures & Traditional Peoples
4. Working with the SOGIESC Diverse Patient
5. Communication in Complex & Emergency Situations
6. Introduction to the AEMED BLS Curricula
7. Introduction to the AEMED ALS Curricula
8. Technology & Equipment for the Austere Environment
9. Remote Medical Control Principles for the Austere Environment
10. Advanced Practice Protocols for BLS Providers
11. Wilderness & Austere Skills 101
12. Austere Protocols 1-13

The Austere Medical Director Course is strategically crafted for doctors seeking specialized knowledge in managing austere medicine programs, particularly those predominantly resourced with first responders and advanced first aiders. This course is designed to equip medical directors with the expertise required to navigate the unique challenges of austere environments, understanding medicolegal considerations, and establishing best practices for creating field protocols tailored for use by these providers.

Ideal participants for the Austere Medical Director Course include:

1. Emergency Medicine Physicians: Doctors with a background in emergency medicine aiming to expand their expertise into the management of austere medical programs.

2. Medical Directors of Field Operations: Medical professionals already serving as medical directors or those aspiring to take on leadership roles in the management of field operations in challenging and resource-limited settings.

3. Physicians Leading Remote Medical Teams: Doctors responsible for overseeing and guiding medical teams operating in remote areas where immediate access to standard medical care is constrained.

4. Clinical Directors in Austere Environments: Healthcare professionals with clinical director responsibilities in austere settings, requiring specialized knowledge in managing first responders and advanced first aiders.

5. Public Health Physicians Engaged in Disaster Response: Doctors involved in public health initiatives, particularly those related to disaster response, looking to enhance their understanding of managing medical programs in austere conditions.

The Austere Medical Director Course ensures that participants are well-prepared to lead and direct medical programs in challenging environments where standard medical resources may be limited. The focus is on providing medical directors with the necessary skills to navigate medicolegal considerations, establish effective field protocols, and optimize the performance of first responders and advanced first aiders in austere settings.

On successful completion of the course, participants should be able to:

1. Understand the Austere Environment: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and considerations associated with providing emergency medical care in austere environments.

2. Medicolegal Considerations: Explore and apply advanced concepts of legal considerations pertinent to emergency medical interventions in austere environments.

3. Working with Diverse Cultures & Traditional Peoples: Develop advanced skills in culturally sensitive emergency medicine, adapting approaches when working with diverse cultures and traditional communities.

4. Working with the SOGIESC Diverse Patient: Demonstrate proficiency in providing emergency medical care that is sensitive to the needs of patients with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

5. Communication in Complex & Emergency Situations: Master advanced communication skills for complex and emergency medical situations, considering diverse patient needs and cultural contexts in emergency care settings.

6. Introduction to the AEMED BLS Curricula: Acquire a thorough understanding of the Basic Life Support (BLS) curriculum specific to austere emergency medicine, emphasizing essential life-saving skills.

7. Introduction to the AEMED ALS Curricula: Acquire a thorough understanding of the Advanced Life Support (ALS) curriculum specific to austere emergency medicine, focusing on advanced interventions and critical care principles.

8. Technology & Equipment for the Austere Environment: Demonstrate proficiency in selecting, utilizing, and maintaining technology and equipment suitable for emergency medical care in austere environments.

9. Remote Medical Control Principles for the Austere Environment: Acquire advanced knowledge of principles and practices related to remote medical control, enabling effective communication and decision-making in austere settings.

10. Advanced Practice Protocols for BLS Providers: Understand the considerations in developing and managing advanced practice protocols for Basic Life Support (BLS) providers practicing in austere environments.

11. Wilderness & Austere Skills 101: Develop fundamental wilderness and austere skills essential for emergency medical providers, including navigation, survival, and improvisation in challenging environments.

12. Austere Protocols 1-13: Acquire a thorough understanding of the thirteen austere protocols, emphasizing their practical application in diverse and complex emergency medical scenarios.

13. Synthesize Knowledge for Comprehensive Austere Emergency Medicine: Integrate knowledge gained from the course modules to effectively respond to a wide array of complex emergency medical challenges in diverse and complex austere environments, demonstrating advanced decision-making and adaptability.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

1. Attendance Requirement: 100% attendance is mandatory to pass the course. Reasonable adjustments will be made where practicable.

2. Physical Fitness Requirement: A certain level of fitness and strength is necessary to fulfill the duties of a first responder in emergency situations. Failure based on physical criteria is not discriminatory but practical for the role's demands.

3. Written Exam: The written exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. A pass mark of 80% is required to successfully complete the written component.

4. Practical Assessments: Formative and summative practical assessments are conducted throughout the course. Summative assessments include simulations and mini-codes. Competent performance of all skills is essential to pass.

5. Exam and Class Outcome: It is possible to pass the written exam and fail the class if practical competency is not achieved.

   Conversely, it is possible to fail the written exam and pass the class if exceptional practical performance is demonstrated, and adequate knowledge of the curriculum can be demonstrated through other assessment activities.

6. Re-exam Opportunity: If a participant fails the written exam, a verbal re-exam will be provided to offer an opportunity to showcase their knowledge.

7. Special Accommodations: Participants with language difficulties or divergent learning needs can request a verbal or alternative style of exam. Reasonable accommodations will be made to facilitate a fair assessment process.

Note: The assessment criteria aim to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of both theoretical and practical competencies, promoting a well-rounded and capable Austere Medical Director.