It was so much better than I expected. In fact, incredible would be an understatement. In a mere 5 hours I saw the following...
1. A multiple GSW victim
2. A stroke patient (activated @ hour 2.5)
3. Peds epileptic seizure
4. Pulmonary Embolism
5. Sickle Cell
6. 2 belligerent drunks
7. 1 missing person from the other side of the USA
8. Chest pain
9. Dehydrated
10. Gastric pain
It was awesome. And I loved every minute of it. We rounded lightning quick (no time to be bored), saw 30+ patients, 5 hours FLEW by in NO TIME FLAT, and all the residents and staff were super duper awesome cool. I'm so in love with EM it is ridiculous.
A Family's Cry...
5 years ago
it will pass. you are feeling the high right now but soon you will realize that EM is really only triage for other specialties. then it gets kinda boring.
ReplyDeleteA agree *a little* with Ali... but I also think you're going to be someone who likes most specialties. I think you're really going to love peds too.
ReplyDeleteDon't listen to the poison pens! EM is *awesome*!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the wild side of medicine, Ella! We hope to seduce you to stay with us.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that EM has a high burnout rate. Wild living takes it's toll and you don't meet to many older ER docs that still work. One option: Family Medicine. I have heard (although I can't find the data online) that more FM docs practice in ERs than ER-boarded guys.
Doctor D sort of stumbled into this lifestyle. He is free to live the wild life in the ER and then return to the calmer waters of primary care when he chooses. FM doctors usually staff the smaller ERs so you won't be working at the massive level 1 trauma centers nor will you make as much money, but you'll still get your share of the action with more freedom too.