Careers in Medicine: Specialty Information

Emergency Medicine

Nature of the work

An emergency medicine physician 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 and in the emergency department.

Emergency Medicine physicians can receive training in the following subspecialties:

• Medical Toxicology- uses special knowledge to evaluate and manage patients with accidental or purposeful poisoning through drugs or toxins.
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine- has special qualifications to manage emergencies in infants and children.
• Sports Medicine - deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries sustained in athletic endeavors.

Training/residency information

The residency training program for emergency medicine is three years. Emergency physicians are trained to recognize, evaluate, care for, and stabilize a generally diversified population of adult and pediatric patients in response to acute illness and injury. Additional training from 1-2 years is required to be certified in the subspecialty areas.

Workforce and salary information

According to a 2006 work force study by the Center for Health Workforce Studies, "there are concerns that the supply of board-certified emergency physicians may not be adequate to meet demand." The annual salary for emergency medicine physicians ranges from $180,000 to $262,017.

For more information

• American Academy of Emergency Medicine
• American Board of Emergency Medicine
• American College of Emergency Physicians
• Emergency Medicine Residents Association
• Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Source: The American Board of Medical Specialties and the "2006 Physician Compensation Survey," Modern Healthcare. July 17, 2006. (Based on surveys conducted by American Medical Group Association; Cejka Search; Daniel Stern & Associates; Delta Physician Placement; Hay Group; Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service; Jackson & Coker; Martin, Fletcher & Associates; MD Network; Medical Group Management Association; Medicus Partners; Merritt, Hawkins & Associates; Pcific Cos.; Pinnacle Helaht Group; and Sullivan, Cotter & Associates.)

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