Characteristics of emergency medicine fellowships

Little has been reported in the literature on the characteristics of existing and planned emergency medicine fellowships. To help answer important questions about fellowships, a 28-question survey was developed by representatives from the University Association for Emergency Medicine education and fellowship committees, the Emergency Medicine Residents' Association, and a health services researcher. This questionnaire was sent to all emergency medicine residency directors and known emergency medicine fellowship programs. The results of our survey indicate that there are 18 current and 11 planned fellowships. The fellowships primarily last one year, are research oriented, and place a large emphasis on toxicology, emergency medical services, and critical care. They are based mostly in university or university-affiliated hospitals, and will graduate physicians who stay in academic emergency medicine. The major problems with fellowships include inadequate funding and lack of adequate candidates.