Emergency Workshops

The Emergency Workshops run over two days and explore the following four topics areas. The Calendar and Registration details are shown in the table following the course outlines. 

For further information contact Nikki Murray: Email: admin@learnem.com.au

About the Workshops

1. Cardiac Emergencies and ECG Interpretation

In this exciting workshop we explore a range of clinical cases that illustrate the presentation and emergency management of cardiac emergencies including myocardial ischaemia, pulmonary oedema, pulmonary embolism, arrhythmias and cardiac syncope. Core skills training during the workshop examines the set up, pressures and practical application of noninvasive ventilation for the management of pulmonary oedema and the use of synchronised cardioversion and pacing for management of cardiac arrhythmias. By the end of the two days you should be confident to recognise and initiate emergency management for the majority of cardiac emergencies you will encounter in your clinical practice. 

ECG interpretation is a major component of the workshop and identifies the ECG features of myocardial ischaema (including an introduction to recent  and less well recognised patterns) and a practical approach to the ECG diagnosis of arrhythmias. We cannot promise to make you an ECG expert but you will certainly be more skilled in recognising the clues to myocardial ischaemia and be able to narrow down the differential diagnosis of arrhythmia on the ECG.

2. Obstetrics and Neonatal Emergencies 

Let's face it - Obstetrics for the non-obstetrically trained is scary and the sick neonate - even more scary! In this workshop we will aim to tackle this head on by exploring a series of clinical cases on day 1 that illustrate the presentation and emergency management of obstetric emergencies including severe pre-eclampsia / eclampsia, placental abruption, preterm labour, preterm prelabour rupture of membranes, complications associated with labour and birthing, and post partum haemorhage. Core skills training on day 1 includes preparation and management of woman presenting in advanced labour to the ED and the management of birthing and complications such as shoulder dystocia.

On day 2 our focus is on the unwell neonate and we focus on the clues and red flags for serious illness and explore a series of clinical cases that illustrate the presentation, differential diagnosis and emergency management of airway obstruction, respiratory distress and circulatory shock in the neonate. Core skills training on day 2 includes basic airway management and ventilation in the neonate, set up of the neopuff ventilator and options for obtaining vascular access in the neonate. 

By the end of the two days you should be a little less scared when you encounter obstetric and neonatal patients and be more confident to assess, recognise the red flags for serious disease and initiate emergency management (while waiting for help to arrive). 

3. Major Trauma and Burns

In this workshop we take on the challenge of the patient presenting with major trauma and explore a range of clinical cases that will assist to illustrate many of the core principles for the recognition and management of major trauma from preparing to receive the patient, to the immediate assessment priorities and management of life threatening complications, to coordinating definitive care or retrieval. Managing the patient with serious / life threatening injuries is complex and requires a structured, highly coordinated approach to minimise the risk of missing serious injury, setting treatment priorities, determining which investigations will be most useful and ensuring continuous reassessment of the patient to monitor for deterioration.

On day 2 we explore major trauma in a range of patient populations including paediatrics and obstetrics and consider the assessment, management and potential complications associated with burn injury. Core skills training includes application of splints (eg pelvic binder, CT7) and torniquets, management of the c-spine (including log roll) and options for obtaining vascular access.

By the end of the two days you should be confident to prepare major trauma, identify the immediate priorities in assessment and management and follow a structured and coordinated approach to managing the seriously injured patient. 

4. Critically Ill Child

You would not be alone if you find approaching the seriously ill child a little daunting. The workshop will consider how to approach the many challenges for managing the critically ill child (especially in setting where paediatric resuscitation is uncommon) including subtle clues for recognising serious / life threatening disease, physiological and anatomical considerations, how to estimate weight, drug dosing, selection and administration intravenous fluids, preparing for paediatric resuscitation, inclusion of parents/carers, retrieval/transfer, assessment and management of pain in the child, managing non-accidental injury and considerations with regard to individual/staff well being. Core skills training during the workshop includes basic airway management and ventilation in the child, set up/use of high flow nasal prong oxygen, paediatric vascular access and simulations focusing on the assessment/resuscitation of the deteriorating child. 

On day 1 we focus on Paediatric Resuscitation and consider the clinical clues and red flags for serious illness in children and the structured approach to assessment and resuscitation in a child. The day will draw on series of clinical cases to explore immediate life threatening conditions that may present with airway obstruction, severe respiratory distress and circulatory shock.

On day 2 we extend our focus on serious illness and explore the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of the child with life threatening Neurological Presentations such as altered conscious state, status epilepticus, BRUE, diabetic coma and closed head injury. The day features a discussion of the new technology rapidly evolving in the management of type 1 diabetes and explore how this may contribute to the presentation and management of complications. We conclude day 2 with a discussion on the assessment and management of pain in children and approaches to providing sedation to facilitate procedures. 

By the end of the two days you should be confident to recognise and initiate emergency management for the majority of paediatric emergencies you will encounter in your clinical practice. 

Emergency Workshop: Calendar for 2026

Emergency Workshop Prelearning