ASME proposals for reform of SHO training: threat or opportunity for the specialty of accident and emergency?

The Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME) is an organisation whose membership is comprised of educationalists and clinicians with a commitment to medical education and is an influencial body in developing medical educational structures. Members include deans, (postgraduate, undergraduate, and general practice) and hospital clinical tutors, together with trainee and student members. In October 2000 a meeting of the Association was held entitled: SHO training—time for reform. The delegates included representatives from the NHS executive, SCOPMED (Standing Committee on Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education) Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians, the GMC, the BMA, the UK medical careers research group and many deaneries, universities, hospitals and general practitioner tutors. Speakers included Professor Temple, chairman of SCOPMED and adviser on postgraduate medical education to the department of health. Subsequent to this meeting a working party has been set up with the department of health to refine and develop reforms to SHO training. It can be seen that this is an influential body and many of their proposals are likely to be implemented. The core of the proposal will profoundly involve A&E and affect our working practice.