Careers in Medicine: Specialty Information

Emergency Medicine

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 and 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 the following subspecialties:

• Hospice and Palliative Medicine - prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses.
• 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.
• Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine - treats decompression illness and diving accident cases.

Training/residency information

The residency training program for emergency medicine is three years. Additional training from 1-2 years is required to be certified in the subspecialty areas.

Salary information

The annual salary for emergency medicine physicians ranges from $216,000 to $300,000.²

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

References
1 The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.
2 2008 Physician Compensation Survey [special feature]. Modern Healthcare. July 14, 2008: 28-32.

Contact Us    © 1995-2009 AAMC    Terms and Conditions    Privacy Statement