Why is emergency medicine training important in medical schools?

Why is emergency medicine training important in medical schools?

The ability to promptly and accurately diagnose and treat patients in critical condition is a crucial skill that students learn in emergency medicine programs. This exposure is especially important for doctors who practice in fast-paced environments like emergency rooms, urgent care clinics, and hospitals immediately after their graduation in some countries.

The ability to promptly recognize and stabilize critically sick patients is a key skill that is taught to prospective doctors as part of emergency medical training. This entails not only the ability to see the warning indications of illnesses like heart attacks, strokes, and septic shock, but also to initiate life-saving treatments like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the administration of antibiotics.

Medical students can learn to function well under pressure by participating in emergency medicine rotations. It’s very common for emergency departments to be noisy and hectic due to the high volume of people who are there for immediate attention. So, in order to offer the best treatment for their patients in situations where time and resources are limited, and many distractors in the environment, all doctors need to be able to think fast and make choices on the fly.

Learning to work with other medical professionals is also a crucial part of emergency medicine education. Patients in emergency departments are usually cared for by a multidisciplinary group consisting of doctors, nurses, and other medical experts. Medical students learn how to interact and coordinate with these other clinicians as part of their emergency medicine training.

In addition, emergency medicine education is crucial because it prepares future doctors to treat patients with a wide variety of acute and chronic disorders. Every doctor should be able to treat patients of different ages, ethnicities, and economic statuses, and they should do so in a way that is respectful of their cultural origins. Therefore, emergency departments create great opportunities with its unique learning environment for medical students.

Last but not least, emergency medicine education is critical since it helps students get a feel for the field. Physicians who have completed emergency medicine training are better equipped to deal with the high-stakes, high-stress scenarios they will experience in practice, as emergency medicine is one of the most rigorous and demanding specialties in medicine. All medical students, including those who want to specialize elsewhere, should acquire emergency medicine skills, familiarize themselves with how the emergency health care system operates, and be prepared to work in this field if necessary.

IFEM, or the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (ifem.cc), is an organization that supports the advancement of emergency medicine globally. One way that IFEM supports emergency medicine training in medical schools is by providing resources and guidelines for curriculum development. IFEM has created a set of guidelines for emergency medicine training, which can serve as a framework for medical schools to develop their own curricula. Additionally, IFEM offers training opportunities and conferences for medical educators to learn from each other and share best practices.

To improve emergency medicine training in their own countries, other nations can look to IFEM’s guidelines as a starting point for developing their own curricula. They can also seek out partnerships with IFEM and other organizations, to share knowledge and resources. Providing opportunities for medical students to gain hands-on experience in emergency medicine, such as through clinical rotations or simulation training, can definitely be effective in preparing them for the challenges they may face in the future clinical practice. Finally, investing in the development of emergency medicine residency programs can help to ensure that there is a pipeline of well-trained emergency physicians to serve the needs of the community.

In conclusion, emergency medicine training is a crucial part of a medical education because it prepares students for the realities of practice by teaching them how to quickly and accurately assess and treat critically ill patients, how to work effectively in high-stress environments, how to collaborate with other healthcare providers, how to care for patients from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a wide variety of medical conditions. Without this exposure, medical students would be less equipped to deal with complicated and challenging circumstances in clinical practice. Therefore, we highly recommend medical schools consider opening emergency medicine rotations or increasing the time of exposure to emergency medicine education.

Further Reading

  • Rybarczyk MM, Ludmer N, Broccoli MC, Kivlehan SM, Niescierenko M, Bisanzo M, Checkett KA, Rouhani SA, Tenner AG, Geduld H, Reynolds T. Emergency Medicine Training Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. Ann Glob Health. 2020 Jun 16;86(1):60. doi: 10.5334/aogh.2681. PMID: 32587810; PMCID: PMC7304456.
  • International EM Core Curriculum and Education Committee for the International Federation for Emergency Medicine. International Federation for Emergency Medicine model curriculum for emergency medicine specialists. CJEM. 2011 Mar;13(2):109-21. PMID: 21435317.
  • Arnold JL, Holliman CJ. Lessons learned from international emergency medicine development. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2005 Feb;23(1):133-47. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2004.10.001. PMID: 15663978.
  • Beyene T, Tupesis JP, Azazh A. Attitude of interns towards implementation and contribution of undergraduate Emergency Medicine training: Experience of an Ethiopian Medical School. Afr J Emerg Med. 2017 Sep;7(3):108-112. doi: 10.1016/j.afjem.2017.04.008. Epub 2017 Apr 20. Erratum in: Afr J Emerg Med. 2017 Dec;7(4):189. PMID: 30456120; PMCID: PMC6234139.
  • Beckers SK, Timmermann A, Müller MP, Angstwurm M, Walcher F. Undergraduate medical education in emergency medical care: a nationwide survey at German medical schools. BMC Emerg Med. 2009 May 12;9:7. doi: 10.1186/1471-227X-9-7. PMID: 19435518; PMCID: PMC2689168.
  • Wald DA, Lin M, Manthey DE, Rogers RL, Zun LS, Christopher T. Emergency medicine in the medical school curriculum. Acad Emerg Med. 2010 Oct;17 Suppl 2:S26-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2010.00896.x. PMID: 21199080.

Related iEM Articles

Arif Alper Cevik, MD, FEMAT, FIFEM

Arif Alper Cevik, MD, FEMAT, FIFEM

Prof Cevik is an Emergency Medicine academician at United Arab Emirates University, interested in international emergency medicine, emergency medicine education, medical education, point of care ultrasound and trauma. He is the founder and director of the International Emergency Medicine Education Project – iem-student.org, vice-chair of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) core curriculum and education committee and board member of the Asian Society for Emergency Medicine and Emirati Board of Emergency Medicine.

Cite this article as: iEM Education Project Team, "Why is emergency medicine training important in medical schools?," in International Emergency Medicine Education Project, February 24, 2023, https://iem-student.org/2023/02/24/why-is-emergency-medicine-training-important-in-medical-schools/, date accessed: June 7, 2023

Key recommendations for medical students interested in pursuing a career in emergency medicine

Key recommendations for medical students interested in pursuing a career in emergency medicine.

Emergency Medicine is a popular speciality among students, and residency programs are receiving an increased amount of applications year by year. However, high competition to get into the residency programs requires successful preparation for the speciality training. In addition, choosing this speciality as a future professional career may fit some individuals while it can not be suitable for others. 

Here are some recommendations to be prepared and understand whether emergency medicine is a good fit for you.

  1. Get involved in emergency medicine early: Try to find ways to get involved during medical school, such as volunteering at an emergency department or shadowing an emergency medicine physician. This will give you a better understanding of the field and help you determine if it is a good fit for you.
  2. Seek out opportunities to develop clinical skills: Emergency medicine is a highly clinical field, and you will need to be comfortable managing patients with a wide range of medical conditions. Participating in clinical rotations and other hands-on learning experiences can help you build your clinical skills and prepare you for a career in emergency medicine.
  3. Network with emergency medicine professionals: Building relationships with emergency medicine physicians and other healthcare professionals can help you learn about different career paths in the field and gain valuable insight into the daily challenges and rewards of working in emergency medicine.
  4. Stay up-to-date on the latest developments: Emergency medicine is a rapidly evolving field, and it is important to stay informed about the latest developments in patient care and medical technology. Attending conferences and workshops, reading professional journals, and participating in online communities can help you stay current.
  5. Consider a residency program: Many emergency medicine physicians complete a residency program in the field, which provides in-depth training and hands-on experience in emergency medicine. Consider applying to a residency program if you are serious about pursuing a career in emergency medicine.
  6. Focus on developing your interpersonal skills: Effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential for success in emergency medicine, as you will be working with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals in high-pressure situations. Make an effort to develop your interpersonal skills, and seek feedback from others on how you can improve.
  7. Stay passionate: Emergency medicine can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Make sure to stay passionate about your chosen field and continue to seek out opportunities for growth and learning.

Emergency medicine is a challenging but rewarding field that requires a strong foundation in clinical skills, a commitment to staying current with the latest developments, and excellent interpersonal skills. If you are passionate about helping patients in high-pressure situations and are willing to work hard to develop your skills, a career in emergency medicine may be a great fit for you.

Further Reading

  • Huang RD, Lutfy-Clayton L, Franzen D, Pelletier-Bui A, Gordon DC, Jarou Z, Cranford J, Hopson LR. More Is More: Drivers of the Increase in Emergency Medicine Residency Applications. West J Emerg Med. 2020 Dec 10;22(1):77-85. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2020.10.48210. PMID: 33439811; PMCID: PMC7806335.
  • Blackshaw AM, Watson SC, Bush JS. The Cost and Burden of the Residency Match in Emergency Medicine. West J Emerg Med. 2017 Jan;18(1):169-173. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2016.10.31277. Epub 2016 Dec 19. PMID: 28116032; PMCID: PMC5226755.
  • Pianosi K, Stewart SA, Hurley K. Medical Students’ Perceptions of Emergency Medicine Careers. Cureus. 2017 Aug 24;9(8):e1608. doi: 10.7759/cureus.1608. PMID: 29075586; PMCID: PMC5655118.
  • Alkhaneen H, Alhusain F, Alshahri K, Al Jerian N. Factors influencing medical students’ choice of emergency medicine as a career specialty-a descriptive study of Saudi medical students [published correction appears in Int J Emerg Med. 2018 Dec 17;11(1):56]. Int J Emerg Med. 2018;11(1):14. Published 2018 Mar 7. doi:10.1186/s12245-018-0174-y
  • Boyd JS, Clyne B, Reinert SE, Zink BJ. Emergency medicine career choice: a profile of factors and influences from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) graduation questionnaires. Acad Emerg Med. 2009;16(6):544-549. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2009.00385.x

Related iEM Articles

Arif Alper Cevik, MD, FEMAT, FIFEM

Arif Alper Cevik, MD, FEMAT, FIFEM

Prof Cevik is an Emergency Medicine academician at United Arab Emirates University, interested in international emergency medicine, emergency medicine education, medical education, point of care ultrasound and trauma. He is the founder and director of the International Emergency Medicine Education Project – iem-student.org, vice-chair of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) core curriculum and education committee and board member of the Asian Society for Emergency Medicine and Emirati Board of Emergency Medicine.

Cite this article as: iEM Education Project Team, "Key recommendations for medical students interested in pursuing a career in emergency medicine," in International Emergency Medicine Education Project, February 15, 2023, https://iem-student.org/2023/02/15/key-recommendations-for-medical-students-interested-in-pursuing-a-career-in-emergency-medicine/, date accessed: June 7, 2023

Why do medical students favour emergency medicine experience?

Why do medical students favour emergency medicine experience?

Emergency Medicine is a challenging and fast-paced speciality that is often considered one of the most popular clerkships among medical students. The appeal of emergency medicine stems from its dynamic nature, which requires medical students to be versatile, adaptable and able to make quick decisions.

One of the primary reasons that medical students like emergency medicine is the opportunity to learn the care for a wide range of patients. In the emergency department, medical students are exposed to a diverse patient population that includes individuals with acute illnesses and injuries, as well as those with chronic conditions that have taken a turn for the worse. This exposure to a wide range of patients allows medical students to develop a broad knowledge base and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of medical care.

Another factor that attracts medical students to emergency medicine is the fast-paced environment. The emergency department is often the first point of contact for patients experiencing an acute illness or injury, and medical students must be able to assess, diagnose, and treat patients quickly. In addition, this challenging and fast-paced environment helps medical students to develop strong critical thinking and decision-making skills, which are essential for success in any medical speciality.

In addition to the opportunities for hands-on patient care, emergency medicine also provides medical students with the opportunity to work closely with other healthcare professionals. In the emergency department, medical students interact with nurses, paramedics, radiologists, and other specialists and learn to provide comprehensive care to patients. This interdisciplinary approach to care allows medical students to gain a deeper understanding of the role of each healthcare professional and to develop strong collaborative skills.

Emergency medicine is also a highly rewarding speciality for medical students, as it provides the opportunity to make a significant impact on a patient’s health in a short amount of time. Whether being in a team stabilizing a critically ill patient, providing pain relief, or simply offering emotional support, medical students in the emergency department have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of patients.

Finally, the training and education opportunities available in emergency medicine are another reason why medical students often favour this clerkship. Emergency medicine residency programs, with a robust training structure, are designed to provide medical students with extensive exposure to the most challenging cases and to provide a strong foundation in critical thinking and decision-making skills. Additionally, emergency medicine residency programs often offer a variety of elective rotations, which allow medical students to tailor their training to their specific interests and career goals.

In conclusion, emergency medicine is a popular clerkship among medical students for many reasons. From the fast-paced and challenging environment to the opportunities for hands-on patient care and interdisciplinary collaboration to the training and education opportunities available, emergency medicine provides medical students with a well-rounded and rewarding clerkship experience. Whether they go on to specialize in emergency medicine or another medical speciality, the skills, knowledge and experience gained in the emergency department will serve medical students well throughout their careers.

Further Reading

  • Pianosi K, Stewart SA, Hurley K. Medical Students’ Perceptions of Emergency Medicine Careers. Cureus. 2017 Aug 24;9(8):e1608. doi: 10.7759/cureus.1608. PMID: 29075586; PMCID: PMC5655118.
  • Langlo NM, Orvik AB, Dale J, Uleberg O, Bjørnsen LP. The acute sick and injured patients: an overview of the emergency department patient population at a Norwegian University Hospital Emergency Department. Eur J Emerg Med. 2014 Jun;21(3):175-80. doi: 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e3283629c18. PMID: 23680865.
  • Ray JC, Hopson LR, Peterson W, Santen SA, Khandelwal S, Gallahue FE, White M, Burkhardt JC. Choosing emergency medicine: Influences on medical students’ choice of emergency medicine. PLoS One. 2018 May 9;13(5):e0196639. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196639. PMID: 29742116; PMCID: PMC5942813.
  • Benner P, Hughes RG, Sutphen M. Clinical Reasoning, Decisionmaking, and Action: Thinking Critically and Clinically. In: Hughes RG, editor. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 Apr. Chapter 6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2643/

Related iEM Articles

Arif Alper Cevik, MD, FEMAT, FIFEM

Arif Alper Cevik, MD, FEMAT, FIFEM

Prof Cevik is an Emergency Medicine academician at United Arab Emirates University, interested in international emergency medicine, emergency medicine education, medical education, point of care ultrasound and trauma. He is the founder and director of the International Emergency Medicine Education Project – iem-student.org, vice-chair of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) core curriculum and education committee and board member of the Asian Society for Emergency Medicine and Emirati Board of Emergency Medicine.

Cite this article as: iEM Education Project Team, "Why do medical students favour emergency medicine experience?," in International Emergency Medicine Education Project, February 8, 2023, https://iem-student.org/2023/02/08/why-do-medical-students-favour-emergency-medicine-experience/, date accessed: June 7, 2023

ICEM2022 and The First IFEM Medical Student Symposium

IFEM MSS

Dear medical students and EM community,

We invite you to the IFEM Medical Student Symposium, the first of its kind, to discuss the present and future of undergraduate emergency medicine education. The IFEM Medical Student Symposium will bring together speakers, facilitators, and attendees from seven regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Gulf, North America, and Oceania. You can find more details on the flyer below.

It will take place on June 14th, 2022, at 13:30 AEST (GMT +10). The symposium fee is 10 AUD. Thanks to IFEM leadership and the ICEM organising committee, participants intending to join the Medical Student Symposium only can use this link on the workshop page to register without an additional conference fee.

Please share this blogpost with your colleagues and trainees who might be interested in joining this conversation. We are looking forward to meeting you all virtually at the symposium.

Best regards,
Dr Elif Dilek Cakal & Dr Erin Simon
IFEM Medical Student Symposium Co-leads
IFEM Core Curriculum and Education Committee

1 Week to ICEM2022 and The First IFEM Medical Student Symposium

1 week to IFEM MSS

Dear medical students and EM community,

We invite you to the IFEM Medical Student Symposium, the first of its kind, to discuss the present and future of undergraduate emergency medicine education. The IFEM Medical Student Symposium will bring together speakers, facilitators, and attendees from seven regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Gulf, North America, and Oceania. You can find more details on the flyer below.

It will take place on June 14th, 2022, at 13:30 AEST (GMT +10). The symposium fee is 10 AUD. Thanks to IFEM leadership and the ICEM organising committee, participants intending to join the Medical Student Symposium only can use this link on the workshop page to register without an additional conference fee.

Please share this blogpost with your colleagues and trainees who might be interested in joining this conversation. We are looking forward to meeting you all virtually at the symposium.

Best regards,
Dr Elif Dilek Cakal & Dr Erin Simon
IFEM Medical Student Symposium Co-leads
IFEM Core Curriculum and Education Committee

IFEM Medical Student Symposium – Team Oceania

Dear medical students and EM community,

We invite you to the IFEM Medical Student Symposium, the first of its kind, to discuss the present and future of undergraduate emergency medicine education. The IFEM Medical Student Symposium will bring together speakers, facilitators, and attendees from seven regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Gulf, North America, and Oceania. You can find more details on the flyer below.

It will take place on June 14th, 2022, at 13:30 AEST (GMT +10). The symposium fee is 10 AUD. Thanks to IFEM leadership and the ICEM organising committee, participants intending to join the Medical Student Symposium only can use this link on the workshop page to register without an additional conference fee.

Please share this blogpost with your colleagues and trainees who might be interested in joining this conversation. We are looking forward to meeting you all virtually at the symposium.

Best regards,
Dr Elif Dilek Cakal & Dr Erin Simon
IFEM Medical Student Symposium Co-leads
IFEM Core Curriculum and Education Committee

 

 

 

 

IFEM Medical Student Symposium – Team Gulf

Dear medical students and EM community,

We invite you to the IFEM Medical Student Symposium, the first of its kind, to discuss the present and future of undergraduate emergency medicine education. The IFEM Medical Student Symposium will bring together speakers, facilitators, and attendees from seven regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Gulf, North America, and Oceania. You can find more details on the flyer below.

It will take place on June 14th, 2022, at 13:30 AEST (GMT +10). The symposium fee is 10 AUD. Thanks to IFEM leadership and the ICEM organising committee, participants intending to join the Medical Student Symposium only can use this link on the workshop page to register without an additional conference fee.

Please share this blogpost with your colleagues and trainees who might be interested in joining this conversation. We are looking forward to meeting you all virtually at the symposium.

Best regards,
Dr Elif Dilek Cakal & Dr Erin Simon
IFEM Medical Student Symposium Co-leads
IFEM Core Curriculum and Education Committee

 

 

 

IFEM Medical Student Symposium – Team North America

Dear medical students and EM community,

We invite you to the IFEM Medical Student Symposium, the first of its kind, to discuss the present and future of undergraduate emergency medicine education. The IFEM Medical Student Symposium will bring together speakers, facilitators, and attendees from seven regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Gulf, North America, and Oceania. You can find more details on the flyer below.

It will take place on June 14th, 2022, at 13:30 AEST (GMT +10). The symposium fee is 10 AUD. Thanks to IFEM leadership and the ICEM organising committee, participants intending to join the Medical Student Symposium only can use this link on the workshop page to register without an additional conference fee.

Please share this blogpost with your colleagues and trainees who might be interested in joining this conversation. We are looking forward to meeting you all virtually at the symposium.

Best regards,
Dr Elif Dilek Cakal & Dr Erin Simon
IFEM Medical Student Symposium Co-leads
IFEM Core Curriculum and Education Committee

 

 

IFEM Medical Student Symposium – Team Central and South America

Dear medical students and EM community,

We invite you to the IFEM Medical Student Symposium, the first of its kind, to discuss the present and future of undergraduate emergency medicine education. The IFEM Medical Student Symposium will bring together speakers, facilitators, and attendees from seven regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Gulf, North America, and Oceania. You can find more details on the flyer below.

It will take place on June 14th, 2022, at 13:30 AEST (GMT +10). The symposium fee is 10 AUD. Thanks to IFEM leadership and the ICEM organising committee, participants intending to join the Medical Student Symposium only can use this link on the workshop page to register without an additional conference fee.

Please share this blogpost with your colleagues and trainees who might be interested in joining this conversation. We are looking forward to meeting you all virtually at the symposium.

Best regards,
Dr Elif Dilek Cakal & Dr Erin Simon
IFEM Medical Student Symposium Co-leads
IFEM Core Curriculum and Education Committee

 

IFEM Medical Student Symposium – Team Europe

Dear medical students and EM community,

We invite you to the IFEM Medical Student Symposium, the first of its kind, to discuss the present and future of undergraduate emergency medicine education. The IFEM Medical Student Symposium will bring together speakers, facilitators, and attendees from seven regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Gulf, North America, and Oceania. You can find more details on the flyer below.

It will take place on June 14th, 2022, at 13:30 AEST (GMT +10). The symposium fee is 10 AUD. Thanks to IFEM leadership and the ICEM organising committee, participants intending to join the Medical Student Symposium only can use this link on the workshop page to register without an additional conference fee.

Please share this blogpost with your colleagues and trainees who might be interested in joining this conversation. We are looking forward to meeting you all virtually at the symposium.

Best regards,
Dr Elif Dilek Cakal & Dr Erin Simon
IFEM Medical Student Symposium Co-leads
IFEM Core Curriculum and Education Committee

 

IFEM Medical Student Symposium – Team Asia

Dear medical students and EM community,

We invite you to the IFEM Medical Student Symposium, the first of its kind, to discuss the present and future of undergraduate emergency medicine education. The IFEM Medical Student Symposium will bring together speakers, facilitators, and attendees from seven regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Gulf, North America, and Oceania. You can find more details on the flyer below.

It will take place on June 14th, 2022, at 13:30 AEST (GMT +10). The symposium fee is 10 AUD. Thanks to IFEM leadership and the ICEM organising committee, participants intending to join the Medical Student Symposium only can use this link on the workshop page to register without an additional conference fee.

Please share this blogpost with your colleagues and trainees who might be interested in joining this conversation. We are looking forward to meeting you all virtually at the symposium.

Best regards,
Dr Elif Dilek Cakal & Dr Erin Simon
IFEM Medical Student Symposium Co-leads
IFEM Core Curriculum and Education Committee

 

IFEM Medical Student Symposium – Team Africa

Dear medical students and EM community,

We invite you to the IFEM Medical Student Symposium, the first of its kind, to discuss the present and future of undergraduate emergency medicine education. The IFEM Medical Student Symposium will bring together speakers, facilitators, and attendees from seven regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Gulf, North America, and Oceania. You can find more details on the flyer below.

It will take place on June 14th, 2022, at 13:30 AEST (GMT +10). The symposium fee is 10 AUD. Thanks to IFEM leadership and the ICEM organising committee, participants intending to join the Medical Student Symposium only can use this link on the workshop page to register without an additional conference fee.

Please share this blogpost with your colleagues and trainees who might be interested in joining this conversation. We are looking forward to meeting you all virtually at the symposium.

Best regards,
Dr Elif Dilek Cakal & Dr Erin Simon
IFEM Medical Student Symposium Co-leads
IFEM Core Curriculum and Education Committee