Job description: Emergency doctor

Life brings its share of worries and accidents. When these are serious, we rush to the emergency room and put our salvation in the hands of the doctors, but what do we know about these specialists? We often confuse them with nurses, emergency physicians and even firefighters. To better understand and get to know these behind-the-scenes professionals, let's delve into their daily lives.

What is an emergency doctor?

A carriage of médecin urgentisteis résolument anchored in the moment. An expert in critical cases, this doctor works mainly in the hustle and bustle of hospital emergency departments, but his field of action extends far beyond that. He can also be found in the field, integrated into the SMUR or SAMU teams, ready to intervene when the need arises.

In the face of imprecision, whether in the event of an accident or disaster, the emergency physician deploys his or her skills with precision. Their art lies in their ability to quickly assess the seriousness of a situation, provide vital care and stabilize patients. A genuine bridge between crisis and specialized care, it prepares the ground for in-depth management.

What are the main pathologies treated by an emergency physician?

They are many and varied. The emergency doctor is on all fronts. We're not in the habit of drawing up long lists in our fact sheets, but the number of vital operations this specialist has to perform is such that we wanted to make our mark:

• Cardiovascular emergencies

• • Myocardial infarction
  • Stroke
  • Pulmonary embolism

• Arrêts cardiac

• • Respiratory emergencies:
  • Severe asthma attacks
  • Acute respiratory insufficiencies
  • Pneumothorax

• Trauma

• • Polytrauma (road accidents, serious falls)
  • Fractures and dislocations
  • Wounds and burns

• Neurological emergencies

• • Convulsions and malpatic states
  • Meningitis
  • Comas of various origins

• Abdominal emergencies

• • Acute appendicitisës
  • Intestinal occlusions
  • Acute pancreatitis

• Intoxications

• • Drug overdoses
  • Serious food poisoning
  • Various poisonings

• Psychiatric emergencies

• • Acute panic attacks
  • Suicide attempts
  • Psychotic compensations

• Infectious diseases

• • Sepsis and septic shock
  • Severe infections requiring rapid management

• Urgences métaboliques

• • Diabetic compensations (acidosis, hyperosmolar coma)
  • Serious lectrolytic disorders

• Environmental emergencies

• Hypothermic and hyperthermic conditions
• Drowning
• Électrisations

Training and career paths to become an emergency physician

Before applying for a job offer as an emergency doctor, you need to come to the end of one of the longest and most demanding academic paths in the French university system. This rigor is essential if we are to train practitioners capable of dealing with critical situations where each decision can make the difference between life and death. In this speciality, where urgency is paramount, errors must be minimized and the physician must adapt quickly to a multitude of varied clinical cases.

With his missions over, let's now take a look at how to become an emergency physician. The path begins with a general scientific baccalaureate, which provides the necessary foundations. The student then proceeds to the Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS) or the Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS). After one year, and in the event of successful completion, he/she enters the two years of general medical studies, common to all specialties. At the end of this curriculum, he takes the end-of-clerkship tests (EDN and ECOS), the results of which determine his choice of specialty.

It is at this stage that emergency medicine specialization comes into play. The intern then chooses to continue his or her studies with a Diplôme d'Etudes Spécialis;es Complacute;mentaire (DESC) de médecine d’urgence (2-year diploma in emergency medicine) or médecin spécialiste en anesthésie-réanimation (same duration). These courses provide the skills needed to effectively manage all emergency situations, from pre-hospital care to intensive care.

For more information on this demanding course, see our eacute;tudes médecin urgentiste!

Les compétences nécessaires pour devenir médecin urgentiste

Because they work in a stressful and highly specific environment, emergency physicians must master a wide range of technical skills combined with a number of human qualities which, when combined, help to safeguard patients' health. Let's take a look at the main ones.

Emergency physicians must possess a unique combination of technical skills and human qualities to excel in their field. Here's an overview of these essential skills:

Technical skills

• Quick, accurate diagnosis
• Maîtrise des gestes d'urgence
• Medical knowledge
• Management of medical equipment
• Basic surgical skills
• Pharmacology
• Sorting

Human qualities

• Cool-bloodedness
• Adaptability
• Empathy
• Clear communication
• Teamwork
• Physical and mental stamina
• Fast decision-making
• &Professional ethics
• Stress management
• Lifelong learning

The débouchés and career prospects

Most emergency physicians work in the emergency departments of public or private hospitals, where they will have the opportunity to progress to department head or pôle positions. The SAMU and SMUR (emergency medical services) also offer opportunities, both in traffic control at center 15 and in the field. Finally, private clinics also recruit these specialists for their own emergency departments.

Disaster medicine is a special field of intervention, enabling participation in international humanitarian missions. Some emergency physicians turn to sports medicine, providing care during sports events. Teaching and research attract those wishing to pass on their knowledge or contribute to the advancement of the discipline, with prospects of an academic career.

Management and administrative positions are also open to experienced practitioners, whether in the management of healthcare establishments or within regional health agencies. Medical expertise for courts or insurance companies is another possible avenue. The booming field of telemedicine offers new opportunities for emergency consultation at a distance.

Finally, the emergency medicine career enables further specialization, for example in hyperbaric medicine, mountain medicine or toxicology. With constant demand and good job security, emergency physicians benefit from a wide range of opportunities in both urban and rural areas, enabling them to build a career that matches their aspirations.

The salary of an emergency doctor

Average salary

In mid-career, the salary of an emergency doctoris generally between 3,500 and 6,000€ gross/month. For freelancers, this will often be a royalty of 10% of gross monthly sales.

Factors influencing salary

Generally speaking, emergency physicians enjoy comfortable incomes due to the large number of years of study required for their practice. However, the data on income vary according to the following factors:

• L’expérience :as in all métiers, emergency physicians at the beginning of their careers have lower salaries. These will increase gradually as they gain experience.
• Locations of practice : the environment in which the emergency physician works plays an inévitable role in his or her income. For example, an emergency doctor working in a liberal environment will earn more than a salaried general practitioner.

The advantages and disadvantages of becoming an emergency physician

The emergency medicine profession,by its very nature, presents a multitude of advantages and disadvantages.

First and foremost among the positives is the diversity of cases encountered. Every day brings its share of unique challenges, ranging from serious trauma to complex medical emergencies. This variety is intellectually stimulating, and enables practitioners to maintain their skills. There is no such thing as routine. The thrill of dealing with critical situations is often cited as a major attraction. The satisfaction of saving lives and making an immediate impact on patients' health is immense, and provides an incomparable sense of accomplishment.

Another significant advantage of the métier is versatility. Emergency physicians develop skills in a wide range of medical fields, giving them a global view of medicine and the ability to adapt quickly to different situations. This versatility also opens doors to other specialties or fields of activity during the course of their career. This is a major asset for career development.

Teamwork, inherent to the practice of emergency medicine, is often seen as an advantage. Close collaboration with other healthcare professionals creates a dynamic and supportive environment, conducive to mutual learning and innovation.

Of course, a business this different from any other naturally comes with its share of inconveniences. Irregular working hours, including night shifts, weekends and public holidays, can have an impact on personal and family life. The intense pace of work and the constant stress of making quick decisions in life-or-death situations can lead to burn-out if the physician is unable to maintain a healthy balance.

The workload is also considerable. Emergency physicians are regularly confronted with traumatic situations, suffering and death. Dealing with these experiences while maintaining a professional distance can be psychologically proving in the long term, even if you've dealt with them in your emergency physician training.

The risk of exposure to infectious diseases or dangerous situations (violent patients, for example) is a reality of the profession that cannot be ignored. Emergency physicians must remain vigilant and scrupulously comply with safety protocols.

Finally, the legal responsibility inherent in medical practice is particularly acute in emergency medicine, where decisions often have to be made quickly and with limited information. This pressure can be a source of additional stress.

Despite these challenges, many emergency physicians find their work deeply rewarding. The unique combination of action, intellectual challenge and direct social impact makes this specialty an exciting career choice for those prepared to accept its demands. The key lies in the ability to effectively manage stress, maintain work-life balance and find support from peers and hierarchy.

Loved this article? Read on with our emergency doctor's work schedule!