Emergency medicine isn't one of those specialties that women think of initially. We tend to think of peds, Ob/gyn, FP, and perhaps IM. But, you know, those primary care fields are so time intensive. As a student I didn't appreciate this fact. As a student, primary care sounded so...romantic. But, after a prelim year in IM, I see differently. I was reading thru old posts about the many women who have been disappointed by medicine, who waited for the "pot of gold," only to find it half empty. And, you know what? There seems to be a common theme. FP, IM, and primary care in general seem to produce the most unhappy physicians. I'm not sure why, but I speculate that it's because these specialties are deceptively low stress, when in fact they aren't. Also, I don't feel that they are family friendly at all (despite what I believed in med school). We all knew surgery, and the surgical subspecialties were a pain in the ass...but who woulda thought FP would be unfriendly to *family*?

I think that young women really need to get out there and *consider* ER, anesthesia, derm, ophthamology, path, radiology, and did I mention ER?!! Don't (mentally) limit yourself to primary care...it's not all that it seems...or should I say it's way more than you may expect.

No controversy...I'm not saying FP or IM sucks. Many docs are very happy in these fields. Realize just because you want a life outside of the hospital you're tied to these specialties. And choosing them just for "lifestyle" reasons (which is totally valid, this is why I choose ER) isn't the right thing to do.

This all sounds really great, esp b/c I've been considering ER as a speciality to go into. My question is, how difficult is it to land a spot?

ER is becoming more competitve as it gains popularity. It's not as competitive as neurosurgery, dermatology, or ophthamology (and probably ortho)...but is now more competitive than general surgery (as surgery is becoming less attractive to medical students), FP, IM, and peds. Also becoming more popular are radiology (interventional) and anesthesia (but not to the same level as ER, I don't think) I haven't noticed that research is a big factor in the selection process...but doing a rotation is.

We need more women in EM...so I think that's a plus for any of us who chooses it as a specialty.

Good luck!

I can't tell you how many docs have told me (I am an MSI) how great EM is for women who want a family. I've been considering it for a while.

Re: competitiveness for residencies. I was wondering whether the 80-hour work week might have some effect on this. General surgery has had a resurgence with the 80-hour work week--200+ spots unfilled in 2002 vs. 9 in 2003, according to the (female) chief of surgery at my school's hospital--so I think GS might get competitive again, although I don't know whether that will effect EM. I expect the interest in EM is coming from would-be GPs, as I know a number of IM/FP physicians working in the ED rather than dealing with excessive call and demanding patients in a community practice.

It's interesting comparing other subspecialists who work in the ER with those of us who are ER trained. I think that as people *choose* ER as a career the satisfaction increases. When you are *forced* into it (as those who trained in FP or IM were) I think satisfaction isn't as high. I say "forced" because if these physicians wanted to to ER, they wouldn't have gone thru a FP or IM residency. Why would they have?

I don't think GS will affect EM much because they are so different. 7 years...q3d call...then you do appys and choles...or subspecialize...then only do whatever your subspecialty is...at the price of 3+ additional years. Or, EM, 3-4 years total, you're done, and make as much as GS...and work way less. Not to mention all of the other positives I've mentioned in previous posts. (I know I'm biased, don't mean to piss off the G.Surgeons out there)

My point is ER has been great to me. I actually enjoy going to work, and once there the time flies by!! I see and do everything. My nurses are great, my patients need me, and I don't have to worry about malpractice insurance costs, I get paid well, and my job is way cool!! I direct ambulances to various hospitals around town, I ride in helecoptors and ambulances when transfering critical patients, I deal with disaster medicine, I can do sports medicine...and best of all, I have *plenty* of time with my 15 month old daughter, wonderful husband, and my awesome mother.

No, it's not for everyone...but I urge all students to *consider* it as you consider IM and GS.

here it is....