Specialty Choice: Emergency Medicine
Emergency medicine is the medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of unforeseen illness or injury. It encompasses a unique body of knowledge as set forth in the Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. The practice of emergency medicine includes the initial evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, coordination of care among multiple providers and disposition of any patient requiring expeditious medical, surgical or psychiatric care. (Source: American College of Emergency Medicine)
Associated Societies
- American Academy of Emergency Medicine
- American Board of Emergency Medicine
- American College of Emergency Physicians
- Council of Residency Directors
- Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association
- Society for Academic Emergency Medicine www.saem.org
Quick Facts
The following information comes from the National Resident Matching Program's Charting Outcomes in the Match 2014 (PDF) based on matched applicants in the United States.
- Step score averages:
- Mean Step 1 of U.S. Matched Applicants: 230
- Mean Step 2 CK of U.S. Matched Applicants: 243
- Average number of research experiences: 2.2
- Average number of abstracts, presentations and publications: 2.9
- Work and Volunteer:
- Average number of work experiences: 3.4
- Average number of volunteer experiences: 7.1
- Mean number of contiguous ranks of U.S. matched applicants: 11.9
Looking into the Future/Changes in Health Care
Much debate occurs around what the future holds for health care and for emergency medicine in particular. Some believe the world of emergency medicine is eroding, with the growth of urgent care, freestanding emergency departments, retail clinics, and virtual care that can compete for patients. On the other hand, some believe that same change in the landscape is evidence of an expansion of our specialty. I tend to believe the latter: with an aging population, an increase in the insured, and a shortage of providers, there will always be a continued need for unscheduled acute care. No matter where those patient needs are, we want to be there. Emergency medicine actually exists to fill that gap. (Source: Martinez, 2015)
Additional Information
- Career Services Focus Newsletter: Emergency Medicine (PDF)
- Boonshoft School of Medicine Residency Program
- Boonshoft School of Medicine Residency Program Director: Mike Ballester, M.D.
- Boonshoft School of Medicine Department Chair: James E. Brown, M.D.
- BSOM Emergency Medicine Interest Group
- BSOM Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
- Search for recent Wright State graduates who matched in Emergency Medicine
- Association of American Medical Colleges Careers in Medicine: Emergency Medicine
See the Career Essentials Pilot Page regarding specialty specific advice for more detailed information and resources.
References
- American College of Emergency Physicians
- Emergency Medicine Residents' Association
- It’s Up To Us to Drive Emergency Medicine’s Future, Martinez, R. (2015) from ACEP Now: The Official Voice of Emergency Medicine.
- Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Residency Directory.
- Emergency Medicine Residency: How to Apply. (2016) University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.