The practice of intensive care medicine involves skills across many disciplines, including anaesthetics, surgery, internal medicine and emergency medicine, and focuses on the support of critically ill patients who require or are at high risk if requiring one or life support systems. Formal Intensive care medicine training was first established in 2 separate schemes in the College of Physicians (RACP) and in the College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) in the 1970s.

Although Australia and New Zealand were the first countries in the world to establish such training schemes, this is a relatively young discipline compared with many long established specialities. In 2002, these 2 schemes were merged into a single training program, supervised by the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, which reported to its 2 parent colleges. Initially this is program could be entered by first part examination of either College (RACP, ANZCA) but now the College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM) first part examination will also enable access to this training scheme. More recently (2008), the Joint Faculty members have voted in favor of forming an independent College of Intensive Care but this has yet to occur.

An intensive care specialist, or intensivist, needs to have excellent communication, interpersonal, clinical and patient management skills, an aptitude to cope with stress, and an understanding of medical ethics. This is not a specialty for the faint hearted but is a great career choice for those who seek professional challenges, are team players and good communicators. Intensive care medicine is a highly procedural specialty and requires expertise in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, organ and airway management, mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy, to list just a few.

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