Medical Student

Given that the development of the role of academic physicians in climate change work is relatively new, medical students with a passion and motivation to pursue this track in their career may find few resources at their own school. But, there is a global network of health professionals eager to have you join the team.

Becoming an active participating member in national organizations that allow exploration of the climate and health intersection can be beneficial for knowledge growth, networking, and residency application building. These groups have different opportunities and focus that can help identify areas of interest. The Medical Students for a Sustainable Future and its parent organization, the Health Care Without Harm Physician Network, emphasize the health sector’s role while the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health highlights health professionals as advocates for climate and health through state-based chapters and national activities. Emergency medicine (EM) focused groups, such as SAEM's Climate Change and Health Interest Group, provide specific professional society education and research opportunities. Student memberships are often free or minimal cost and offer exposure to educational resources and networking with other trainees, physicians, and potential mentors.

Away rotations and other advanced electives offer opportunities to learn more about EM and to investigate the different career tracks offered through this specialty. With due diligence and preparation to the timeline prior to M4 interview season, students should take advantage of this time to schedule clerkships that allow them to develop and expand on interests. A myriad of topics overlap with climate change: disaster medicine, social EM, administration and operations, medical education, wilderness medicine, and health policy. Mentors may be particularly helpful in identifying clerkships at programs where there are opportunities for a medical student to participate in projects with a climate change focus and to interact with physicians working in this track. This time is also helpful for students to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of three- and four-year residency programs and to determine what other program characteristics are most important to them, such as whether programs offer dedicated time and support for research, travel, and projects.