We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Roles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What does an Emergency Physician do?

By Anna B. Smith
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 16,980
Share

An emergency physician is a doctor trained to treat severe wounds and perform life saving techniques in situations where immediate medical care is required. This type of doctor may be assigned to an emergency room in a hospital, or may be part of a lifesaving crew that is dispatched directly to the site of an injury or accident. This career choice requires that qualified individuals have completed a four year post-secondary education and four years in a medical program, as well as a residency in a hospital or doctor's office. Emergency training certifications are also available and often encouraged by hospitals, but are not always necessary for employment.

These types of doctors are trained in many different kinds of trauma care, such as advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and advanced airway management. They are also skilled in setting bone fractures, stitching wounds, diagnosing a variety of viruses and infections, and can perform minor surgery. Some injuries which may require extensive surgery or specialized care can be diagnosed by an emergency physician and then passed along to the proper medical facilities. In many circumstances, emergency personnel can administer the initial life saving treatments which a patient needs to immediately survive, so that a specialist or surgeon can take over later and begin more sustaining forms of care.

In the US, an emergency physician is typically stationed in the emergency room of a hospital. Multiple doctors staff one emergency ward so that care for injured patients is available at all times of the day and night. Patients are generally admitted based on the severity of their injuries. This type of triage sorting may be performed by the attending physicians, but is more commonly handled by registered nurses (RNs).

In the UK and other European countries, emergency physicians are not confined to the trauma unit of the hospital. They are often dispatched to the accident location with other emergency medical personnel so that injuries may be treated immediately on site. This allows life saving techniques to be performed by a trained physician before the patient reaches the hospital.

Individuals interested in becoming an emergency physician must obtain a graduate degree in medicine and may wish to pursue specialized emergency care certifications. Following the completion of their four year medical school, students can apply for a residency or internship in a hospital. They must also be licensed to practice medicine by 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.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-does-an-emergency-physician-do.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.