This article reviews the differences among private practice, clinical academic positions, and academic research positions in emergency medicine. We will present steps residents can take in preparing for an academic career and the merits and drawbacks of fellowship training. This clinical practice may involve direct patient care, supervision of students and residents, or a combination of the two. More traditional positions, however, require scholarly research in addition to the other duties. The remainder of this article focuses on the emergency physician in a traditional academic position.
Academicians enjoy constant intellectual stimulation and interactions with specialty consultants.
Faculties also enjoy interactions with residents and medical students. Academic emergency physicians sometimes work fewer night shifts compared to private practice. These factors may serve to decrease job related stress. Disadvantages of an academic position compared to private clinical practice include salary differences. However, clinical salaries are approaching academic remuneration in some geographic areas.