Medical Student

There are a few tasks students can complete to better prepare for a future career in pediatric emergency medicine (PEM):

• Rotations: Seek out the opportunity to do shifts in the pediatric emergency department (PED) if possible. If unable to enroll in an EM rotation or have access to a pediatric hospital with EM, consider doing away rotations. These rotations will help to establish your interest in doing either a pediatric, EM, or combined PEM residency.
• Electives: Consider pediatric trauma, pediatric critical care, and pediatric infectious disease elective courses.
• Mentorship: Look for mentors and research projects in PEM.

Residency Programs

With only four accredited EM and PEM programs in 2024, the combined five-year residency option is a competitive but rewarding route for someone who is confident they want to pursue the field. Residents graduate with increased exposure to pediatric critical care time and are prepared to serve as ambulatory or hospitalist pediatricians in addition to working in community PEDs. Just like their EM or pediatric co-residents, graduates will also have to apply to PEM fellowships to practice as a board-certified PEM physician.

Pursuing three- or four-year EM residencies will prepare you for procedures, adult cases, ultrasound techniques, and more. You subsequently will only have to spend two years in PEM fellowship. Pursuing pediatric residency will prepare you in pediatric care and offer increased exposure to ambulatory pediatrics. After residency, you will pursue a three-year PEM fellowship.