Emergency medicine is a relatively new specialty which deals with the identification and immediate management of serious and life threatening situations. Emergency physicians are faced with a broad range of undifferentiated medical and surgical problems from benign headaches to severe trauma, and thus need to have a general expertise in many areas. However the true area of specialization of the emergency physician is in the care and stabilization of the critically ill patient. Every day is different and unpredictable in the emergency department. In a given shift these doctors may encounter patients with sore throats, seizures, appendicitis, dislocated shoulders, ocular foreign bodies or even a homeless man looking for shelter or food. The ability to make quick decisions and multi-task is essential.

Read more...