What is an Emergency Medicine Degree?
Emergency medicine runs the gamut in medical fields - at one moment you can treat a broken arm, while the next you can save an heart attack patient's life. Learning how to become an emergency medicine physician takes at least seven years of post-graduate education and training. If you want to learn about the process of emergency medical education, read on.
Emergency Medicine Education and Training Overview
<p>There is no specific degree in emergency medicine; rather, there is a general medical degree with a specialization in emergency medicine. If you are interested in becoming an emergency medicine physician, you would complete a 4-year bachelor's degree program, followed by the basic 4-year medical school curriculum. The medical school program includes lectures, coursework and hospital rotations, including a turn in the emergency department.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThesePrograms">Important Facts About These Programs</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td> Degree Levels </td><td> Associate's and master's programs in emergency medical services are available</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Emergency medical responder, paramedic, EMT</td></tr>
<tr><td> Continuing Education </td><td> Though state requirements differ, they all require certification. Certification programs are offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.</td></tr>
<tr><td> Common Courses </td><td> Curriculum usually covers subjects like cardiac emergencies, field equipment usage, and handling trauma.</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $36,930 (<i>for all EMTs and Paramedics</i>) </td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>7% growth (<i>for all EMTs and Paramedics</i>) </td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---EmergencyMedicalEducation">Emergency Medical Education</h3>
<p>You learn about the specialty field of emergency medical practice during clerkships and rotations. Clerkships occur during the final two years of a 4-year medical school program, and residencies follow the completion of the program.
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<h3 id="section---ClerkshipRotations">Clerkship Rotations</h3>
<p>You usually begin clinical clerkships in your third year of study. Many schools offer an emergency medicine clerkship, which lasts three to four weeks. In these clerkships, you are supervised by trained physicians and learn to examine and evaluate patients, perform minor procedures and assist in emergency operative procedures.
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<p>Some programs also offer advanced clerkships in emergency medicine during the fourth year of study. These clerkships are sometimes called 'sub-internships'. In these programs, you independently examine and evaluate patients before presenting a suggested course of treatment to a physician. The clerkships also include opportunities to improve your suturing, ultrasound skills or to complete rotations with an EMT crew. Having completed one or more sub-internships in emergency medicine may aid you when applying to emergency medicine residency programs.
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<h3 id="section---ResidencyPrograms">Residency Programs</h3>
<p>Emergency medicine residency programs are designed to teach you about the necessary tools to be an effective physician in an emergency room environment. Traditionally lasting three years, these programs introduce you to adult, pediatric and surgical rotations in the emergency room. Your studies also include radiology, anesthesiology, cardiology, trauma and internal medicine practices. Rotations typically last one to three months.
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<p>You will likely also be required to complete rotations in intensive care units. In these rotations, you treat patients suffering from severe medical conditions. You also complete rotations in obstetrics and gynecology, emergency surgery, pediatrics and orthopedics.</p>