What is an Emergency medicine specialists?

Emergency medicine specialists, commonly called ER doctors, are medical doctors who specialize in emergency care. They can diagnose and treat many medical emergencies and can refer people to other health professionals for further treatment.

Emergency medicine specialists may further specialize in one area of medicine, such as sports medicine, or they may only treat children (pediatric emergency medicine specialists).

Emergency medicine doctors can be board-certified through the Board of Emergency Medicine, which is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Emergency Medicine (EM) is a specialty, like cardiology. EM doctors undergo rigorous study and specialty testing throughout their careers. This includes MDs and DOs. The respective Boards of MDs and DOs require first the passing a qualifying written examination and then an oral certification examination. Certification is for 10 years after that they must maintain ongoing certification. EM specialist can take a fellowship training beyond residency in area of EM subspecialties:

• Emergency Medical Services 
• Hospice and Palliative Medicine  
• Internal Medicine-Critical Care Medicine
• Medical Toxicology
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Sports Medicine
• Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine 

The doctor who sees you in the ER may be a specialist (Board Certified) in Emergency Medicine. They work closely with specialists and will contact your primary care physician (PCP), when necessary, in order to give you first-rate care.

So every physician working in an ER, whether or not they are Board Certified in Emergency Medicine, has the same responsibilities.