Keeping interest and enthusiasm going is a never-ending concern for any EMIG. There are many ways an EMIG can be fun and exciting, but all take time to plan properly. Below is a list of ideas that may help your EMIG promote emergency medicine (EM) at your school.

Meetings can be scheduled at many different times. Hold your meeting at a time that is different from other clubs. If you choose the lunch hour, you might consider making it a "brown bag” to save on expenses.

A good speaker attracts a crowd. Consider getting a local speaker such as EM faculty from your medical school or locating community EM physicians. Also try looking for your local ACEP chapter for great speakers. Topics can be as basic as first aid or varied such as burns, wilderness medicine, or environmental emergencies. Talks that focus on pediatric EM and trauma or "War stories" from the emergency department (ED), especially with slides, always draw good crowds. Informational topics such as politics in EM, how to get into your top residency program, and careers in EM are great options as well, but might be better suited to an audience already interested in EM.

ED shadowing is of special interest to first- and second-year students who have not had much clinical experience. Discuss the idea with the ED Director. Students could sign up for shifts and be assigned to a resident or staff "preceptor" who can allow the student to participate in patient care to the extent appropriate. Set up rules for proper attire and conduct while in the ED.

Ambulance ride-alongs are another great idea for students at all levels. These will provide insight to prehospital care that many physicians never experience. Students can sign up for a shift with an EMT or paramedic crew. You may need to set this up through the city EMS medical director. Because other programs set-up ride-alongs as well (EMT, paramedic, and other students), space may be limited. If so, consider suburban and rural ambulance services as options.  If your hospital has a helicopter service, fly-alongs are superb.

Intubation, suturing, central lines, and casting/splinting workshops: "Hands on" opportunities can be of the most rewarding experiences, especially to first- and second-year students who do not yet have the confidence that clinical years will bring. Discuss these ideas with your anesthesia, surgery and EM departments. Residents and staff can be instructors for intubation and suturing. In addition, paramedics can give intubation instruction so you can always check with them for your workshop. You can also consider workshops such as splinting of fractures, drawing blood and starting IV's. Many hospitals donate expired suture kits and pigs feet make a great medium to practice on. All are skills that will help a medical student during the clinical years.

Edited/Updated: 1/09
Tricia Nielsen, MSIV
AZCOM/Midwestern University
EMRA Medical Student Council