What does an Emergency Physician do?

In situations where immediate medical care is required, an emergency physician is a doctor trained to treat severe wounds and perform life-saving techniques. This type of doctor may be assigned to a hospital’s emergency room or to a lifesaving crew that is dispatched to the scene of an injury or accident. Qualified individuals must have completed a four-year post-secondary education, four years in a medical program, and a residency in a hospital or doctor’s office before pursuing this career path. Hospitals often encourage and require emergency training certifications, but they are not always required for employment.

These doctors are skilled in a variety of trauma treatments, including advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and advanced airway management. They can also set bone fractures, stitch wounds, diagnose a wide range of viruses and infections, and perform minor surgery. An emergency physician can diagnose some injuries that may require extensive surgery or specialized care and then refer you to the appropriate medical facilities. In many cases, emergency personnel can provide the immediate life-saving treatments that a patient requires in order for a specialist or surgeon to take over and begin more sustaining forms of care later.

In the United States, an emergency physician is usually assigned to a hospital’s emergency room. A single emergency ward is staffed multiple doctors to ensure that injured patients are cared for at all hours of the day and night. The severity of the patient’s injuries determines whether or not they are admitted. This type of triage sorting can be done attending physicians, but it’s more common for registered nurses to do it (RNs).

Emergency physicians in the United Kingdom and other European countries are not restricted to the hospital’s trauma unit. They are frequently dispatched to the accident scene with other emergency medical personnel in order to treat injuries on the spot. This allows a trained physician to perform life-saving techniques before the patient arrives at the hospital.

Individuals who want to work as an emergency physician must have a master’s degree in medicine and may also want to pursue specialized emergency care certifications. Students can apply for a residency or internship in a hospital after completing their four-year medical school. They must also have a medical license in the country where they wish to work. Flexible hours and the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment are required for this type of job.