A medical specialty called emergency medicine deals with illnesses and injuries that need to be treated right away. Patients of all ages who do not have an appointment with their regular doctor are treated by emergency physicians who are constantly learning new techniques. They must therefore be ready for any unforeseen circumstances. In order to practice in their field of expertise, they also need to be qualified and licensed.
The wide range of patients it treats and the substantial amount of one-on-one patient contact are just two of the specialty's distinctive traits. Because of the extensive patient contact, emergency physicians can significantly affect their patients' health. All ages and illnesses are treated by emergency room physicians, including heart, lung, gastrointestinal, bone, and joint issues.
An academic specialty has emerged in emergency medicine. In 1971, the first resident trainees started their training. The University of Southern California has the oldest continuously running program. Later, the Medical College of Pennsylvania began its own residency program in emergency medicine. Early residency programs typically followed an internship and lasted two years. In the 1980s, the residency program's initial 36-month training period was increased to four years. Emergency medicine residency programs had different requirements, but all of them had clinical rotations and tests.
A career in emergency medicine is challenging. But for those who choose it, it has a lot to offer. Almost any illness or injury can be treated by an emergency physician, and some of them may even get to save lives. Patients of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds can be cared for by emergency room doctors. They can also assist people who have broken bones, are drug addicts, or have mental health problems.
Strong critical-thinking abilities are necessary for emergency physicians because they need to be able to diagnose a wide range of medical conditions. They have to maintain composure and go through mental checklists because their patients might not be able to communicate their symptoms and some of them might even be unconscious. They have to act quickly and wisely for their patients during an emergency.
A professional association for emergency physicians is called the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). More than 5000 emergency medicine doctors are among its members. Conferences on various facets of emergency medicine are also held by the ACEP. Its members can apply to become board-certified in their respective fields. There are also a number of emergency medicine subspecialties, including pediatric emergency medicine. Emergency medical professionals may also choose to pursue additional subspecialties.
Emergency medicine is a specialty that necessitates extensive study and experience despite its broad scope. Online, there are a ton of excellent resources for learning more about the field. One such book that is frequently suggested by experts in emergency medicine is The Oxford Handbook of Emergency Medicine. It offers emergency physicians helpful advice. Additionally, there are many podcasts that cover emergency medicine. A podcast website called The Resus Room hosts discussions about emergency medicine.
To determine the best course of action for each patient's circumstances, emergency physicians assess patients in the emergency room. While some patients receive treatment and are then discharged, others are admitted to the hospital or given a specialist referral. Emergency room doctors may see patients with walk-in injuries, heart attacks, and decompensated heart failure during a typical ED week.
