ABSTRACT
Postgraduate training in emergency medicine (EM) varies in length among different programs. This fact creates a dilemma for applicants to the specialty of EM and prevents EM educators from reaching a consensus regarding the optimal length of training. Historically, EM training existed in the postgraduate year (PGY) 1-3, 2-4, and 1-4 formats, until the PGY 2-4 program became obsolete in 2011-2012. Currently, three-quarters of EM programs follow the PGY 1-3 format. In this article, we clarify for the applicants the main differences between the PGY 1-3 and PGY 1-4 formats. We also discuss the institutional, personal, and graduate considerations that explain why an institution or an individual would choose one format over the other.
Subject(s)
Emergency Medicine/education , Internship and Residency/methods , Time Factors , Curriculum/standards , Curriculum/trends , Education, Medical, Graduate/methods , Education, Medical, Graduate/standards , Emergency Medicine/methods , Humans , Internship and Residency/standards , Teaching/psychology , Teaching/standardsABSTRACT
There are currently 5 combined residencies in emergency medicine (EM), namely EM/pediatrics, EM/internal medicine, EM/internal medicine/critical care, EM/family medicine and EM/anesthesiology. These combined programs vary from 5-6 years in length. Like categorical programs, the decision to enter a 5- or 6-year program should be an informed and comprehensive decision. We describe the history and current status of the combined EM programs, discuss the process of applying to a combined EM program, describe the life of combined EM residents, and explore common career opportunities available to combined EM program graduates.
