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General Emergency Medicine Skills (GEMS) Course

For rural physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses maintaining clinical competency in emergency medicine can be a challenge.

The Rural Health Professions Action Plan, in partnership with Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS), offers rural physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses the opportunity to receive relevant, interactive skills training at their rural location through the General Emergency Medicine Skills (GEMS) for Rural Health Professionals Course.

GEMS is an online, multimedia emergency-skills training experience with a hands-on component provided via a STARS Human Patient Simulation Session that enables rural health professionals to upgrade emergency medical skills at work or at home.

Through maintaining and acquiring emergency management skills, rural health-care providers achieve better patient outcomes, while maintaining their interest and commitment to rural Alberta.

The GEMS Course meets the accreditation criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and has been certified for Mainpro+ credits. Any rural-based Alberta physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or nurse is eligible to take the GEMS Course.

GEMS Learning Modules include the following:

-Preparation for transport
-C-spine X-ray and CT head
-Shock
-Emergency thoracostomy
-Advanced airway management and rapid sequence intubation
-Injured child
-Central venous access and intraosseous infusion
-Obstetrical emergencies

Upon completion of the modules and exams, GEMS participants contact RhPAP to determine their eligibility for a STARS Human Patient Simulation session. Please note that there may be a waiting period to attend a session with STARS.

Continuing Medical Education Credits

This Self-Learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the Alberta Chapter for up to 18 Mainpro+ credits as follows: two (2) Mainpro+ credits for each completed module plus two (2) Mainpro+ credits for completing the STARS Mobile Simulation Program component.