What I like about Emergency Medicine

1. Variety - Every day is different. Some days there are trends. It can be pediatric patients with fevers one day, then women with vag bleeding another. I lose attention easily sometimes so it helps to see different types of patients.

2. Ultrasound - I'm really enjoying portable ultrasound to make diagnoses. I've used the PROBE to find retinal detachment, gallstones, AAAs, vascular access, pneumothorax, and free fluid in the abdomen after traumas. My favorite u/s exam is the eye because it so clear. The hardest exam for me is cardiac. Here's an excellent website on ultrasound.

3. Progressiveness - Since EM is the newest specialty, I believe our specialty has the ability to flex and bend to changes. For example, Ketamine and Propofol in combination for Keto-Fol! There's a lot of room for growth and debate on what should be done in the ED.

4. Shift work -I don't mind the transition between mornings, nights, and days. It's cool to stay awake after an overnight shift and hang out at Starbucks seeing morning people when it's nearly bedtime for me.

5. The smells - Just kidding;)