Emergency Medicine

Specialty overview

Emergency medicine physicians are acute generalists with specialist skills in resuscitation and diagnosis during the acute phase of illness or injury. Utilising a broad range of procedural and technical skills, emergency medicine physicians assess and treat patients of all age groups who have a wide range of illnesses, including those patients who are suffering potentially life, or limb, threatening conditions. Common conditions treated by emergency physicians include; heart attacks, strokes, fractures, asthma attacks, injuries resulting from car crashes, pregnancy related emergencies, overdoses and behavioural

Clinical practice

Emergency medicine physicians work within both public and private facilities, playing a key role in trauma and retrieval teams and in the development of pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency medical systems. Emergency medicine physicians work closely with other important healthcare practitioners such as paramedics, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, mental health clinicians and other doctors to ensure that patients passing through emergency departments receive the highest possible standard of care.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

89
eligible

82
selected

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

704

Number of QLD specialists

2828

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

Number of QLD new fellows

211

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

623

Number of QLD trainees

40.2

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

704

Number of QLD specialists
49

Number of QLD new fellows
40.2 hours

Average weekly hours QLD
45 years

Average age QLD

Specialists over 60

This donut chart shows that 6% of specialists are aged over 60 years.
Specialist intending to retire by 2032

This donut chart shows that 29% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.
Location in Queensland

This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 25.4% are located in regional Queensland, 72.1% are in major cities, and 2.4% are in remote areas. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.
Proportion Female/Male - QLD

61.2%
male

38.8%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 61.2%, Females are 38.8%.
Public vs Private

12.5%
private

87.5%
public

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 12.5, Public is 87.5%.

Information on trainees

623

Number of Queensland trainees
63

Number of new Queensland trainees
2,254

Number of Australian trainees
238

Number of new Australian trainees

Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

50.4%
male

49.6%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 50.4%, Females are 49.6%.
2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

89
eligible

82
selected

This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 89 Eligible applications were received, 82 of those were selected.

Number of Queensland trainees 2015-2022

Hear about our training

Watch

4:07

Emergency Medicine Training in Northern Queensland

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Training information

College

Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM)

Length of training

5 years full-time including at least 42 months in ACEM-accredited EDs, 6 months non-ED, 6 months elective (ED or non-ED) and 6 months critical care. Trainees must train at a minimum of two EDs.

Method of allocation

College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:

Queensland Health facility (accredited for training)

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact ACEM.

Training program overview

Since 2022, the new emergency medicine training program is a four-stage program where Training Stages 1 to 4 replace Provisional and Advanced Training phases. Of the 60 months of total training time in the training program, trainees must undertake at least 42 months of their training in ACEM-accredited emergency departments (EDs). Other training time requirements include 6 months of non-ED, 6 months elective (ED or non-ED) and 6 months critical care. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for election to Fellowship of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (FACEM).

Eligibility

Applicants must have citizenship, permanent residency, or the necessary visa to undertake training in Australia and hold general registration with the Medical Board of Australia. Applicants must be able to fulfil the requirements of the training program and have completed or be currently undertaking PGY3. There is a requirement that applicants have completed a minimum of 6 months full time equivalent (FTE) in an ED in Australia or New Zealand where the applicant assesses and manages all types of patients in that ED (i.e. not only fast-track patients) during or after PGY2 at a minimum of 0.5 FTE. Applicants must also have completed 3 postgraduate terms in 3 different disciplines other than emergency medicine for a minimum of 8 FTE weeks of continuous clinical work at a single site. At least one of these terms must have been completed during or after PGY2.

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment. Training must be completed within 12 years.

Interrupted training

Allowed up to 3 years during the course of training, however only 1 year may be approved at one time.

Training locations

Last updated: September 2024