Emergency physicians are trained to treat serious injuries and perform life-saving techniques in hospitals or at the scene of an accident. They require a four-year post-secondary education, medical program, and residency, and may hold emergency training certifications. They can diagnose and treat a variety of injuries and illnesses, and may refer patients to specialists if necessary. In the US, they typically work in hospital emergency rooms, while in the UK and Europe, they may be dispatched to the scene of an accident. Becoming an emergency physician requires a medical degree, specialized certifications, and a license to practice medicine.
An emergency physician is a physician trained to treat serious injuries and perform life-saving techniques in situations where immediate medical attention is required. This type of doctor may be assigned to an emergency room in a hospital or may be part of a rescue team that is sent directly to the scene of an injury or accident. This career choice requires eligible individuals to have completed a four-year post-secondary education and four years in a medical program, as well as a residency in a hospital or physician’s office. Emergency training certifications are also available and are often encouraged by hospitals, but are not always required for employment.
These types of physicians are trained in many different types of trauma care, such as advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and advanced airway management. They are also skilled at setting bone fractures, stitching wounds, diagnosing a variety of viruses and infections, and can perform minor surgery. Some injuries that may require extensive surgery or specialist care may be diagnosed by an emergency physician and then referred to the appropriate medical facility. In many circumstances, emergency personnel can administer the initial life-saving treatments a patient needs to survive immediately, so that a specialist or surgeon can take over later and initiate more sustainable forms of care.
In the US, an emergency physician is typically in a hospital’s emergency room. Several doctors work in an emergency ward so that care for injured patients is available at all times of the day and night. Generally, patients are admitted based on the severity of their injuries. This type of triage rating can be performed by attending physicians, but is most commonly handled by registered nurses (RNs).
In the UK and other European countries, emergency physicians are not confined to the hospital trauma unit. They are often dispatched to the scene of an accident with other emergency medical teams, so that injuries can be treated immediately on the spot. This allows lifesaving techniques to be performed by a trained physician before the patient arrives at the hospital.
Individuals interested in becoming an emergency physician must earn a medical degree and may wish to gain specialized certifications in emergency care. Upon completion of the four-year medical school, students may apply for a residency or internship at a hospital. They must also be licensed to practice medicine in the country in which they wish to work. This type of career requires flexible hours and the ability to work well under stress in a fast-paced environment.
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