Emergency medicine, also known as accident and emergency medicine, is the medical specialtyconcerned with caring for undifferentiated, unscheduled patients with illnesses or injuries requiring immediate medical attention. In their role as first-line providers, emergency physicians are responsible for initiating resuscitation and stabilization, starting investigations and interventions to diagnose and treat illnesses in the acute phase, coordinating care with specialists, and determining disposition regarding patients’ need for hospital admission, observation, or discharge. Emergency physicians generally practice in hospital emergency departments

Critical care: The specialized care of patients whose conditions are life-threatening and who require comprehensive care and constant monitoring.

 

Matthew Johnson is a Fellowship Trained Trauma, Emergency & Critical Care physician.