Emergency Medicine

Emergency Medicine (EM) covers a pretty broad spectrum of acute illnesses in all age groups and takes advantage of both medical and surgical therapies. These doctors often deal with life-threatening conditions. Since it is shift work, it allows time for other interests such as research or having a life. There has been an increase in Emergency Department visits and a resulting shortage in emergency doctors. There is no longitudinal care or long-term patient relationships. Training is 3-4 years for EM and 5 years for combined EM/internal medicine or EM/peds programs. Subspecialties include medical toxicology, pediatric EM, and sports medicine. Sometimes, emergency physicians go into critical care or hyperbaric medicine. Lately, this specialty has become extremely competitive.