Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 11 Summary: "Wellness"

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010. http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store

Chapter Summary Edited By: Andrew W Phillips, MD MEd, Stanford/Kaiser Emergency Medicine Residency Program  

Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS and Andrew W Phillips, MD MEd

Physician—heal thyself.

It is difficult to estimate exactly the burnout rate in emergency medicine (EM) since it is a relatively young specialty, but there is no denying that it is a stressful specialty prone to burnout. Here, we provide some tips for preventing burnout.

Shift Work/Sleep
Dealing with night shifts: If you move to a regular night schedule, keep that schedule even on days off whenever possible to keep your circadian rhythm. Be cautious that day sleepers often do not get as good of sleep as night sleepers and will lean toward using stimulants and sedatives. Scattered, single night shifts may be preferable. A third alternative is a forward-moving schedule: day to evening to night to break. Shorter shifts (8hr) and 30-45 minute power naps before night shifts are helpful to remain alert. Experts also recommend sleeping as soon as possible after a night shift.

Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 10 Summary: "The First Year Out"

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010. http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.

Chapter Summary Edited By: Andrew W Phillips, MD MEd, Stanford/Kaiser Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS and Andrew W Phillips, MD MEd

There’s a light! Do you see it? The end of the tunnel! Except … wait — it’s fading as you realize that now your name is at the bottom of the chart, that utopic emergency department staff doesn’t actually exist, you still have disrespectful consultants, the boards are approaching, and Press Ganey now applies to YOU!

Never fear — your AAEM and AAEM/RSA colleagues are here, just as they always have been!

Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 9 Summary: "Job Search"

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010.

http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.


Chapter Summary By: Aga De Castro, MPH, MA, MSIV Medical Student, Georgetown University School of Medicine


Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS, and Andrew W Phillips, MD, MEd


Finding employment after residency can be a stressful period but maintaining an organized yet flexible approach can lead to finding that first job as an independent emergency physician. A few things to consider when going on the job hunt:

1. State licensures can often take months to process. Starting up to a year ahead of your desired start date will allow you appropriate time.
2. Know your priorities. Do you have a geographic area in mind? Or are you looking for opportunities only in academic centers?
3. Finding a job is easy but finding the perfect job requires more time and effort. Invest the energy if you want your job out of residency to be the most ideal.
4. Know your network. Often, the best job opportunities are not advertised and only known through the grapevine. People associated with your residency program such as the leadership and alumni can be helpful contacts for potential job opportunities.

Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 8 Summary: "Curriculum Vitae"

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010. http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.

Chapter Summary By: Aga De Castro, MPH, MA, MSIV Medical Student, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS, and Andrew W Phillips, MD, MEd

The curriculum vitae (CV) is an important component of one’s professional career since it is an organized representation of a person’s education, work history and job qualifications. The CV must be detailed, yet concise enough for a future employer to get a good grasp of an applicant’s professional accomplishments. Having a CV that is well organized will ensure that a candidate is worthy of further consideration.

The CV has several components that are considered essential. It should have the appropriate contact information displayed at the top of the page including name, mailing address, phone number and email information. A training subsection should follow to outline an applicant’s residency and/or fellowship experience. An education subsection typically follows, highlighting all higher academic institutions from which the applicant received a degree. High school education or earlier are typically not included in this subsection. An experience and skills subsection should describe any current or prior experiences as they would relate to a prospective job. Each of these subsections should be in reverse chronological order with the most recent experience listed first.

Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 6 & 7 Summary: "Fair Business Practices" and "Unfair Business Practices"

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010. http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.

Chapter Summary by: Muhammad Alghanem, MSIV, MSIV Medical Student, Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS, and Andrew W Phillips, MD MEd

Ingrained in the Mission Statement (http://www.aaem.org/about-aaem/mission-statement) and Vision Statement (http://www.aaem.org/about-aaem/vision-statement) of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) are the values of fair business practices in the field of emergency medicine.

AAEM stands so strongly for these values that it has created Certificates of Workplace and Employer Fairness. Information about these can be found here:

Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 5 Summary: "Contract Issues"

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010. http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.  

Chapter Summary Edited By: Muhammad Alghanem, MSIV Medical Student, Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS, and Andrew W Phillips, MD, MEd

Employee Versus Independent Contractor

As an emergency medicine physician, your work arrangement may be either as an employee or an independent contractor, hired by a hospital or group. Each arrangement comes with pros and cons which should be considered and reviewed with an experienced attorney.

Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 4 Summary: "Senior Timeline"

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010. http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.

Chapter Summary By: Muhammad Alghanem, MSIV Medical Student, Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS, and Andrew W Phillips, MD, MEd

Ready to graduate from residency? Here is short summary of the timeline in AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents to help you in preparing to find your first position!

Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 3 Summary: "Organizations"

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010. http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.

Chapter Summary By: Andrew W Phillips, MD, MEd, Stanford/Kaiser Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS, and Andrew W Phillips, MD MEd

There are several organizations available to emergency medicine students, residents and attendings. Since benefits change often, and we cannot be complete here with so many benefits, we offer links to the organizations with a few focus points on our sponsoring bodies, the AAEM and AAEM/RSA.

Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 2 Summary: "Certifying Bodies"

AAEM/RSA is proud to present weekly summaries of our popular publication Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents. As a multi-part series, these posts address many important topics ranging from the history of emergency medicine to resident wellness and job search suggestions.

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010. http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.

Chapter Summary By: Andrew W Phillips, MD, MEd, Stanford/Kaiser Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS, and Andrew W Phillips, MD, MEd

http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.

There are only two certifying bodies in emergency medicine for the United States: the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM). The former certifies MD’s, and the later certifies DO’s.

Resident Rules of the Road: Chapter 1 Summary: "History"

AAEM/RSA is proud to present weekly summaries of our popular publication Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents. As a multi-part series, these posts address many important topics ranging from the history of emergency medicine to resident wellness and job search suggestions.

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Emergency Medicine Residents, 7th Ed. Chief Editors: Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM; Michael Ybarra, MD FAAEM; Leana Wen, MD MSc. AAEM and AAEM/RSA. Milwaukee, WI. 2010.

http://www.aaem.org/publications/aaem-book-store.

Chapter Summary By: Puja Gopal, MSIV Medical Student, University of Illinois School of Medicine

Summary Series Editors: Muhammad Alghanem, BS, and Andrew W Phillips, MD MEd

The history of emergency medicine is rich and relatively recent. Below is a brief summary of the emergency medicine (EM) specialty broken down by decades.

1960’s: Emergency medicine evolved out of a need to care for a growing population that sought care for emergency conditions. By 1960, emergency department (ED) visits were rising across the country and the demand for emergency care was high. Physicians, however, lacked the appropriate skills, and there was a need for specialized training. In 1967, the American Medical Association (AMA) established a committee on emergency medicine, and in 1968, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) was founded.