Introduction

The Certification Program in Emergency Medicine (CPEM) is a 12-month competency-based training initiative, crafted to empower physicians working in Emergency Departments with the essential knowledge and clinical expertise required to excel in emergency care. Developed by leading Emergency Medicine experts at Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN), in collaboration with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School (Boston, USA), this groundbreaking program was inaugurated at IHHN in July 2018. The program is currently guided by the expertise of the EM faculty of IHHN and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).

CPEM has been recognized both by the national and international scientific community as a one-of-a-kind course to bridge the gap in EM in LMICs.

Program Milestones

CPEM is the first of its kind, a capacity-building certification program for middle-tier physicians working in the Emergency Departments.

• Five cohorts have successfully graduated from CPEM, with the third cohort including learners from Pakistan and Dhaka Medical College (Bangladesh), involving > 150 physicians across the two countries, serving both public and private sector hospitals, nationally and internationally.
• Graduates are enrolled in EM training programs in Pakistan and abroad, cleared fellowship programs (MRCEM/FCPS), and are enrolled as teaching faculty/ facilitators in CPEM.
• Published scientific literature in well-reputed journals.

Program Details

• Duration: 12 months certificate course
• Mode of Education: Online didactics and simulations, hands-on skills, and simulation workshops
• Online classes: One per week (Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Pakistan Time | 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST)
• On-site workshops during the course (one per semester)
  • Candidates may choose their preferred workshop location:
  • Karachi
  • Muzaffargarh
  • Lahore
  • On-site workshops are optional for participants outside Pakistan
• Two virtual workshops for all candidates
• Monthly journal clubs and case presentations

CPEM 2026–2027: Choose Your Learning Path

To provide a more personalized and goal-oriented learning experience, CPEM is introducing three distinct training streams this year. Candidates can select the pathway that best aligns with their interests, professional background, and future career goals.
Once registration is completed, an application form will be shared, through which applicants can select their preferred CPEM stream (CPEM–D, CPEM–C, or CPEM–O).

CPEM – D: Didactic

Designed for candidates primarily interested in structured academic learning and emergency medicine education.

• Follows the general program details mentioned above

CPEM – C: Clinical

(For IHHN employees only)
Designed for candidates seeking a more clinically focused experience with supervised practical exposure.

Along with general program details, additional Features:

• Mandatory Clinical Observership
• Candidates will be required to maintain supervised case logs on Google Form under assigned mentors

CPEM – O: Observership (Karachi, Lahore, Muzaffargarh)

Offered in Karachi, Lahore, and Muzaffargarh IHHN campuses only (Open to all national candidates).
Designed for candidates interested in gaining exposure through an extensive Observership experience.

Along with general program details, additional Features:

• Observership program:
  • Conducted once in each semester (2-week duration each) to be completed in semester 1 (September /October 2026) and semester 2 (March/April 2027)
  • Total duration: 4 weeks
  • Flexible timings with a minimum commitment of 4 hours per day
• Additional Observership fee: one-time payment, non-refundable
• Eligibility requirements:
  • Minimum 80% attendance is required to qualify for the Observership Certificate
  • Completion of the first 2-week Observership is mandatory to be eligible for the midterm examination

Of note: CPEM does not provide credentialing in specific procedures; graduates should follow their institutional protocols regarding supervision and credentialing.

Program Objectives

By the end of the certification program, learners would be able to:

• Organize clinical management of critically ill patients presenting to the ED.
• Implement evidence-based Emergency Medicine in their centers.
• Practice life-saving procedures in the ED (within institutional guidelines).
• Define indications, contraindications, and complications of life-saving procedures.
• Interpret clinical research.
• Implement ED patient safety and quality improvement for improved patient outcomes.
• Participate in Journal clubs/ Case reviews to stay up to date on the latest advancements in Emergency Medicine.

Assessment Strategies

Formative

• Bi-annual feedback by supervisors.
• Weekly online simulation feedback.
• Logbook (maintained by candidates).

Summative

• Mid and end of year – 100 MCQ.
• End of year three oral board cases.

Graduation Requirements

• For successful completion of the certification, learners must attend at least 70% of the sessions and obtain an average score of 70% (mid-term and final examination).
• Attendance in on-site and virtual workshops (participants outside Pakistan are exempted from on-site workshops).
• Learners may receive additional credit points through case presentations/ reviews and journal club presentations.

Scope of Practice

• Doctors working in EDs without formal EM residency training.
• MBBS graduates in pursuit of EM as a career.
• Other specialty fellows working in EDs and aiming to improve EM skills.

Publications

1. Saleem, S. G., Haider, K. F., Yasin, Z., & Rybarczyk, M. (2020). Bridging the Gap in Emergency Medicine in Pakistan. Pakistan journal of medical sciences, 36(1), S101.
2. Saleem, S. G., Ali, S., Khatri, A., Mukhtar, S., Farooq, W., Maroof, Q., Jamal, M. I., Aziz, T., Haider, K. F., Dadabhoy, F. Z., & Rybarczyk, M. M. (2023). Clinical Outcomes Following the Implementation of a Novel One-Year Training Program in Emergency Medicine in Karachi, Pakistan. Annals of Global Health, 89(1), 1.
3. Bajwa M, Khatri A, Ali S, Ahmed R, Elgasim ME, Raechal L, Mukhtar S, Ansari T, Fayyaz J. Simplifying complexity science principles: developing healthcare faculty for using simulation as an educational method. International Journal of Healthcare Simulation. 2023 July 6(null):1-2.
4. Ali, S., Saleem, S. G., Arumuganathan, P., Mukhtar, S., Khatri, A., & Rybarczyk, M. (2026). Harnessing predictive analytics to support high risk learners in a one-year certification program in emergency medicine (CPEM) in Pakistan. Medical Teacher, 48(1), 142-149.

For More Information

E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected]

Certificate Awarding Authority