Emergency physician

An Emergency physician (pronounced: /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi fɪˈzɪʃən/) is a medical professional who specializes in the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospital setting by directing emergency medical technicians and in the emergency department. The emergency physician provides immediate recognition, evaluation, care, stabilization and disposition of a generally diversified population of adult and pediatric patients in response to acute illness and injury.

Etymology

The term "Emergency physician" is derived from the Latin words "emergere" meaning "to rise up or emerge" and "physician" which comes from the Greek word "physikos" meaning "natural, physical".

Related Terms

Emergency medicine: The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of unforeseen illness or injury.
Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medical and surgical care to patients arriving at the hospital in need of immediate care.
Trauma center: A hospital equipped and staffed to provide comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries.
Critical care medicine: A branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and management of life-threatening conditions requiring sophisticated organ support and invasive monitoring.
Resuscitation: The process of correcting physiological disorders (such as lack of breathing or heartbeat) in an acutely unwell patient.