In this episode of Med Student Over Easy, hosts Kaitlin and Patricia are joined by guests Tim Montrief and Jacob Smith to discuss pursuing a critical care fellowship after emergency medicine residency. The conversation highlights how they came to their decisions to pursue critical care and the different pathways you can take to get there.
Understanding the Different Pathways
Emergency medicine residents who are interested in critical care fellowships have several tracks to choose from including anesthesiology, internal medicine, and surgical critical care. Each pathway offers a unique perspective on critical care and the decision of which one to pursue often depends on the resident’s goals after residency. For instance, those who fall in love with the trauma aspect of emergency medicine might be drawn to surgical critical care, where they can focus on both the resuscitative and postoperative sides of trauma. Conversely, residents more interested in managing medical ICU patients might lean towards an internal medicine critical care fellowship. Additionally, when choosing a pathway and program it is important to inquire what types of procedures you will learn during your fellowship.
Advice for Aspiring Critical Care Fellows
For medical students and residents considering a future in critical care, it is important to keep an open mind and explore different areas of critical care to help guide your decision about which pathway might be best for you. Reaching out to mentors and speaking with fellows or residents who are in or are pursuing these programs can provide valuable insight. When evaluating residencies, it’s also wise to look at where the program’s residents typically go to complete their fellowship training. Remember, there are many ways to reach your goal, especially from emergency medicine. Be sure to find the path that aligns with your passions and career aspirations.
Take-Home Points:
- Take the time to explore to find the path that best aligns with your interests and goals.
- Seek mentorship and guidance from fellows, residents, and faculty to make an informed decision.
- Choose training programs that offer opportunities aligned with your long-term career aspirations.
About Our Guests:
Surgical and Neuro Critical Care/Emergency Medicine – Roanoke, VA
Cardiothoracic Critical Care/Emergency Medicine – Miami, Florida
References:
- https://www.emra.org/books/fellowship-guide-book/i-title
- Johnson NJ, Maher PJ, Badulak J, Luks AM. The Transition from Emergency Medicine Resident to Critical Care Fellow: A Road Map. AEM Educ Train. 2017 Mar 22;1(2):116-123.
- Khan S, England P, Lee J, Shah K. The Successes and Challenges of Integrating Emergency Medicine With Critical Care Medicine. Ann Em Med. Published Nov. 24, 2017. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2017.10.020
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