Emergency Medicine Doctor

Nature of the work

A physician who specializes in emergency medicine focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospital setting by directing emergency medical technicians as well as in the emergency department. The emergency physician provides immediate recognition, evaluation, care, stabilization, and disposition of a generally diversified population of adult and pediatric patients in response to acute illness and injury.¹

Emergency medicine physicians can receive training in these subspecialties:

hospice and palliative medicine, which involves preventing and relieving the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses.

medical toxicology, which uses special knowledge to evaluate and manage patients with accidental or purposeful poisoning through drugs or toxins.

pediatric emergency medicine, which involves managing emergencies in infants and children and requires special qualifications.

sports medicine, which involves the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries sustained in athletic endeavors.

undersea and hyperbaric medicine, which involves treating decompression illness and diving accident cases.

Training/residency information

The residency training program for emergency medicine is three years. Additional training from one to two years is required to be certified in the subspecialty areas.

References
1 The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.
2 2010 Physician Compensation Survey [special feature]. Modern Healthcare . July 19, 2010: 20–26.