Emergency medicine focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or further disability in pre-hospital settings by directing emergency medicinal technicians and in the emergency department. Emergency physicians provide immediate recognition, evaluation, care, stabilization and disposition of a generally diversified population of adult and pediatric patients in response to acute illness and injury. A high-pressure, fast-paced and diverse specialty, emergency medicine requires a broad base of medical knowledge and a variety of well-honed clinical and technical skills.
IU School of Medicine faculty practice and teach primarily in the emergency departments of Eskenazi Hospital, IU Health Methodist Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health and have extensive pre-hospital responsibilities and work in partner with Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The care provided by the emergency physicians is episodic in nature and involves a full spectrum of physical and behavioral conditions.