What is Emergency Medicine?

Emergency medicine doctors diagnose and treat unexpected illnesses and injuries, according to the American College of Emergency Medicine. They serve adult and pediatric populations of all ages and genders who have suffered an acute, or short-lived, ailment. These doctors work in a variety of locations, not just the traditional emergency department, including urgent care clinics, disaster sites, and within emergency response vehicles. This position requires great communication skills, team coordination skills, and general leadership to handle the sometimes intense situations. These doctors are known to coordinate care with multiple physicians and need decisiveness to promote the life of their patients. To become an emergency medicine doctor, you must complete three years of residency post medical school. There are opportunities to subspecialize, with more training, in areas like hospice and palliative care, critical care, and sports medicine.