Sub-Specialist in Adult Urgency and Emergency Medicine: An Unpostponable Need

Resumo

The College of Internal Medicine Speciality (CIMS) proposed the creation of the subspeciality in adult urgent and emergency medicine (AUEM), which has the support of the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine's Centre for the Study of Urgency and Acute Patients (NEUrgMI). We see this as an essential step towards meeting the growing challenges of hospital emergency services (ES) in Portugal.

Although it could be argued that the fragmentation of Internal Medicine into subspecialities could threaten its integrative essence, in reality, the perception is that the AUEM subspeciality, far from fragmenting, reinforces the importance of a global approach to the patient, by combining a generalist vision with differentiated technical skills. In this way, we will empower internists to treat patients and lead and coordinate teams in critical situations, ensuring higher-quality patient care.

The admission criteria defined by the AUEM, although rigorous, reflect the high level of responsibility required. Mandatory practical experience in the ES, demonstration of specialized technical skills and participation in training and research in the field are essential to training professionals capable of acting in the various scenarios that make up the complexity of medical emergencies.

At the same time, a balance is advocated between the practice of care in the subspeciality and in the other fields of Internal Medicine (hospitalization, outpatient consultations, among others), ensuring that the subspecialist internist maintains a wide-ranging, competence, which will benefit the patient throughout the various stages of the disease's evolution.

The UEMA subspeciality seeks to strengthen the internist's role in the health system, guaranteeing a high-quality approach to the patient in the ES and promoting professional growth through recertification and continuous training.