June 16, 2007

Emergency Medicine - what it is about

Every year, about 20% of the population attends an Emergency Department in the United Kingdom . These patients have medical problems ranging from minor injuries through to patients with life-threatening illnesses or suffering the consequences of major trauma, requiring immediate treatment and resuscitation. This specialty started nearly 40 years ago and is a young, dynamic and expanding specialty. As well as usually being the first point of contact with the hospital service, departments may also have an extended role, running observation wards, hand clinics, minor ops clinics etc. The specialty interacts  closely with general practitioners, ambulance services and inpatient hospital specialties and so there are enormous opportunities for team work.

The work is challenging, unpredictable and sometimes stressful. Doctors in Emergency Medicine deal with sudden death (including unexpected death in children and young adults), major trauma, medical emergencies and a large volume of minor injuries and illness. There may  be considerable exposure to patients with violent behaviour, drug and alcohol abuse, psychiatric illness and social problems that cannot be resolved in the Emergency Department.

On the other hand the career is often extremely rewarding in that it is constantly challenging, and you have a genuine opportunity to make a real difference in the management of illness and injury. Few patients will remember or thank you for it, but the personal satisfaction can be considerable. If you have an interest in the breadth of medicine then Emergency Medicine is the only place within the hospital environment where this can still be realised. Emergency Departments are also a place for strong multi-disciplinary team working, and it is important that you feel comfortable working alongside nursing staff, paramedics, general practitioners and in-patient specialists in an environment of mutual co-operation and respect.

CEM advice on Emergency Medicine careers

How to follow a career in it

To become trained in Emergency Medicine at present you must satisfactorily complete an approved Specialist Registrar training programme and pass the examination to become a Fellow of the College of Medicine (FCEM). (An “exit” examination organised by the College of Emergency Medicine (CEM) taken towards the end of the SpR training programme.) To be appointed as an SpR in the specialty you will need:
A recognised postgraduate qualification (MFAEM, MRCS (A&E) Ed, MRCP, MRCS or FRCA)
Two years post-registration experience
At least six months experience in Emergency Medicine

As of next year with the introduction of MMC (Modernising Medical Careers) and the creation of runthrough training, for entry to higher training after the completion of Foundation training you will enter into Acute Care Common Stem training for 2 years followed by specific Specialty Training in Emergency Medicine from years 3 through to 6.
To enter into ST1 or ST2 in the transition phase please note the person specification that has been issued for satisfactory applicants for these posts

• Details on applying for specialty training

College information page on training

If you want to get information from someone currently in training, email to spr@emedni.org.uk

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