ACUMEN is a web-based learning resource for trainees in acute and general medicine. It has been developed by the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians, in collaboration with e-Learning for Healthcare, to enable trainees to access e-learning sessions relevant to all levels of competence as described in the Acute Medicine curriculum.
ACUMEN centres on the production of interactive scenarios that allow trainees to develop and practice the key skills outlined in the curriculum by dealing with life-like cases. Trainees will make differential diagnoses and develop management plans to tackle these cases. The outcomes of the cases depend on the actions of trainees. These scenarios will also provide the opportunity for trainees to revise key concepts and gain essential new knowledge through linked interactive sessions.
The European Working Time Directive was fully implemented in August 2009. Making sure that trainees can receive adequate training in the restricted hours will be a big challenge. The emphasis on gaining the relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes defined in the acute medicine curriculum will especially affect trainees in the early part of training in core medical and acute care common stem training. The constraints of the directive mean that there is a recognised need to develop new ways to ensure that trainees acquire the competences they require.
