Is this really the right time for an identity crisis? (Letters * Correspondance).(Letter to the editor)

Publication: Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine

Publication Date: 01-JUL-08

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Canadian Medical Association

To the editor: I was struck by the contrast of my recent attendance at the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) meeting and the arrival of the latest issue of CJEM in the mail.

At IFEM, I listened with great interest to the immense struggles of many Western nations to establish the specialty of emergency medicine in their respective countries. As a Canadian, I felt a strange sense of pride in reflecting on our own experience. The traditional Canadian values of inclusiveness and acceptance of diversity have been reflected in the way we approach the training and credentialing of emergency physicians and the manner in which we staff our departments. Yes, we are an international anomaly, with our 2 routes to certification and our generous acceptance of family physicians working collaboratively with specialists in the same department, but for the most part it works. We work collaboratively, we deliver excellent care and our citizens in a wide variety of ED settings are well served. Sitting in the audience at IFEM, I felt we could...

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