The research component in the development of emergency medicine as a specialty

The development of emergency medicine as a separate medical specialty involves several major processes, including professional identification, delineation of the dimensions of the specialty, development of a body of knowledge, and creative investigative activities. Residents in emergency medicine offer a potential source of expertise that could be utilized in the development of such research activities. However, for a variety of reasons routine research has not been part of current resident education. One example of a methodology for programmatic research development in emergency medicine is identified in this paper through the establishment of a nonclinical health services research position. The effect of having staff to assist in the development and analysis of research projects has contributed to building a body of knowledge specific to emergency medicine and creating a sense of professional identity among graduate trainees.