Experience with a Clinical Audit Requirement for Interns in the Emergency Department.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The clinical audit is an important evaluation tool to ensure quality assurance. A clinical audit requirement for interns during their emergency department (ED) term may be a valuable educational activity. METHODS: The Emergency Audit Initiative (EAI) Program was initiated at Redcliffe Hospital in January 2018. Interns, who were paired with a staff specialist audit mentor, chose a topic of interest and carried out a clinical audit during their 10-week ED term. At the end of term, interns formally presented audit findings in a grand round setting. Interns and staff specialists were surveyed at the end of the intern year regarding aspects of the program. Surveys aimed to assess (1) value of the program as an educational activity, (2) availability of time and resources to conduct the audit, and (3) perceived impact on practice. RESULTS: During the first year of the program, 27 clinical audits were carried out. 16 interns (59%) and 8 staff specialists (57%) responded to the surveys. Interns and staff specialists reported that the audit was a valuable educational experience (88% and 100%). Interns also reported that they had adequate time (94%) and resources (81%) to conduct the audit. Interns and staff specialists however reported only a modest impact on clinical practice because of the audit program. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with the EAI program suggests that incorporating a clinical audit requirement into the ED term is possible. Interns and staff specialists reported it to be a beneficial educational and professional development activity.