is emergency medicine considered primary care?

[basha]

Apparently, there is a real shortage of emergency physicians, especially in the ny tri-state area, where I would like to practice. I am not sure whether Emergency Medicine is a primary care specialty though. Primary care usually consists of OBGYN, internal med, pediatrics and family practice, but I have heard that now, EM is also considered primary care. Can you guys give some feedback, thanks.

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[UCMonkey]

I haven't heard yet of EM being classified as a primary care specialty, and I'm not sure it should be.

I think the major difference between it and the other primary care specialties is the issue of continuity of care. While EM docs see a LOT of primary care type problems, they don't follow those patients long term like the other primary care specialties.

Also, these patients come to the ED's as a last resort, because they have nowhere else to go. I think this goes against the notion of "primary" care as being the first doc you go to when you have a problem.

 

[basha]

That was very helpful, thanks a lot. Also, would you know which primary care specialty there is a shortage of, specifically, in the NY area.

 

[UCMonkey]

I don't know much about the NY area, seeing as I'm from CA, but I believe that there is a general shortage of FP and IM docs nationwide.

I haven't heard of such nationwide shortages in OB/GYN or Peds.

Perhaps someone from the NY area can help us out with this one?

 

[Amy]

Actually, I think EM is considered primary care, because it's the first doctor you see when you have an acute problem. They then channel the patient to the appropriate specialist, if necessary. Some people don't have a regular primary care doc, and use the ER for that purpose (i.e. homeless people, uninsured people, etc.)

 

[DrQuinn]

I think that most administrators and nonphysicians would consider EM to be a primary care field, but I doubt many EM physicians consider themselves to be PCP. Another point is that the EM field is now beginning to require EM-residency trained physicians to work in the ED... excluding FPs...
Q

 

[PainMan]

The HCFA is considering adding EM to the NHSC list of funded primary care specialties.

 

[Toejam]

I asked a similar question some time ago about which specialty would be most in demand in the future. The consensus seemed to be geriatrics. As far as I know, this would be an IM doc with maybe 6 months to a year of extra training.

Just guessing, though.

 

[NuMD97]

Originally posted by Toejam:

•••quote:••• geriatrics. As far as I know, this would be an IM doc with maybe 6 months to a year of extra training. ••••Geriatrics, as a subspecialty of Internal Medicine, requires two-year fellowship training.

 

[basha]

Thanks a lot everyone.

Also, Amy do u know if there is a shortage of Emergency Physicians in the ny area. There should be if its such a demanding job that you need to know every specialty of medicine. Although, recently browsing over match figures, it seemed to me that EM is a pretty tough residency to get into. any info.

 

[Wu-Tang Killa Bee]

I think that EM will be considered primary care in the near future. I know in one state it is definitely considered primary care. I am in the guaranteed admission postbac program at the University of Kansas. The have a service scholarship where you have to go into a primary care specialty such peds, IM, Pysch, or EM. They do not consider OB to be primary care. I would wage that specifically for this state a lot of people receive the majority of their care from ER docs. I am going to apply for the scholarship next year. They pay for your tuition and give you a $1500/ month stipend. Thats awesome!!!

 

[basha]

So, there is a general shortage of EM physicians all around right?
I am interested in pursuing EM, but all the med schools in ny really like applicants wanting to go into primary care fields that they have a shortage in as opposed to some really sought after specialty. I want to know whether I should bring up my interest in EM in the interview or not.

 

[tedsadoc2002]

I remember my interview at NYCOM well. I was asked what did I see myself doing in 10 years and I stated truthfully, that I saw myself as an ED attending possibly teaching as well. I got the distinct impression that the interviewer was not too pleased with my answer, but I did get accepted there. I don't think you should have to hide your interest in a specific specialty and I am sure that they realize you may change your mind many times between the time you interview for med school and the time you graduate. Good luck in whatever you choose.

ted,D.O.
PGY-1 Emergency Medicine
somewhere in the city