Should I Choose Emergency Medicine?
Real decision-making data from 10 verified Emergency Medicine physicians. Here is what they actually think.
The Verdict
An overwhelming 90% of Emergency Medicine physicians say they would choose the specialty again -- a strong endorsement.
What Physicians Love About Emergency Medicine
“Unfortunately, Emergency Medicine now was driven by patient’s satisfaction scores, and many times you don’t do what best for the patient but what they want and that’s not good medicine. Many times patients request a specific test or have a very high expectation from a ER visit and if you don’t order it, they will give a 1 star review on google write your name on it.”— Emergency Medicine Physician
Work-Life Balance Reality in Emergency Medicine
“12 shifts. Great work life balance ”— Emergency Medicine Physician
“I typically work between 17 to 20 shifts month which is consider a lot in Emergency Medicine, I work 10 to 12 hour shifts in a mix of days and nights and approximately 20 to 30% of the shit overnight. Sometimes I also work Locums where I charge $400 an hour and when I do that, I just cut some shit for my primary job.”— Emergency Medicine Physician
“Shift work allows for a fair amount of days off, but frequently have to miss family events, sports games, etc because I’m often working evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, etc. Flip-flopping schedule from nights to days and back is like having constant jet lag.”— Emergency Medicine Physician
How Emergency Medicine Compares
See how Emergency Medicine stacks up against other popular specialties.
| Specialty | Satisfaction | Would Choose Again |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emergency Medicine worth it?
Based on 10 verified physician responses, Emergency Medicine physicians report 3.6/5 average satisfaction and 90% say they would choose the specialty again. Average total compensation is $436K. Whether it is worth it depends on your priorities, but the data suggests most physicians are satisfied with their choice.
What's the work-life balance like in Emergency Medicine?
Emergency Medicine physicians work an average of 46 hours per week. One physician shared: "12 shifts. Great work life balance "
How much do Emergency Medicine physicians make?
Based on SalaryDr data, Emergency Medicine physicians earn an average total compensation of $436K. With an average of 46 hours per week, that translates to roughly $182/hour.
Still deciding? Hear from more Emergency Medicine physicians
Explore detailed lifestyle insights or contribute your own experience to help others make their decision.