Specialty Designation
Fellowship
Specialty Code
142
Type
Specialty
Specialty Description

An internist trained in critical care medicine has expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and support of critically ill and injured patients, particularly trauma victims and patients with multiple organ dysfunction.

Completing training
176
With known plans
157
Pursuing more training
10
Practicing in the US
75
Group practice
25
In same specialty
60
In same state as program
20
In NHSC or similar underserved area
3
Academician
69
Full-time
68
Military
2
Unemployed
1
Academic year
2022
Number of accredited programs
63
Length of accredited training
2
Minimum number of prior years required
3
Offers graduate year 1 positions, available immediately upon medical school completion
No
Average number of PY1 interviews
27.20
Percent of programs requiring Step 1 score for interview
79.30
Percent of programs requiring Level 1 score (for DOs) for interview
68.20
Total number of active residents/fellows
339.00
Average number of residents/fellows
5.30
Average percent female
37.70
Average percent international medical graduates
37.40
Average percent DOs
28.70
Average number of full-time physician faculty
17.40
Average number of part-time physician faculty
1.00
Average percent female full-time physician faculty
30.20
Average ratio of full-time physician faculty to resident/fellow
4.90
Average hours on duty per week
58.30
Average maximum consecutive hours on duty
19.10
Average days off duty per week
1.40
Average percent of training in hospital outpatient clinics
5.80
Average percent of training in non-hospital ambulatory care community settings
1.90
Average number of days of vacation
19.40
Average resident/fellow compensation
70105.76
Parent Specialties
Specialty Overview

What is a critical care physician?

An internist trained in critical care medicine has expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and support of critically ill and injured patients, particularly trauma victims and patients with multiple organ dysfunction. This physician also coordinates patient care among the primary physician, critical care staff and other specialists.

Critical care medicine integrates a diverse group  of highly trained professionals who provide care in specialized intensive care units and work toward the best outcome for seriously ill patients.

How to become a critical care physician?

Because critical care medicine integrates so many different aspects of care, there is a broad range of training. This specialty requires additional fellowship training for those who complete their primary residency training in internal medicine, anesthesiology, pediatrics, surgery or emergency medicine. Fellowship training requirements are different for each primary specialty. (For example, individuals who have trained in anesthesiology and surgery require only one additional year of training in critical care, whereas individuals who have trained in internal medicine or emergency medicine require at least two years of critical care training. In pediatrics, three years of fellowship training are required.) Board certification in critical care medicine is available through all four specialty boards.

What does a critical care physician do?

Many critical care medicine professionals work in the intensive care unit (ICU). While nearly all ICUs are capable of providing a spectrum of care, many have developed a focused area of excellence: care of premature or critically ill newborns in the neonatal ICU (NICU); care of critically ill and injured children in the pediatric ICU (PICU); care of adult cardiac diseases in the coronary care unit (CCU); perioperative care, trauma care and care of multiple organ dysfunction in the surgical ICU (SICU); and care of neurological and neurosurgical patients in the neuroscience ICU (neuro ICU).

Critical care medicine offers physicians the opportunity to work on a team with other critical care professionals who have diverse backgrounds and take different paths to become part of the team, including:

  • Nurses

  • Pharmacists

  • Respiratory therapists (RTs)

In addition, critical care physicians may work with dietitians, social workers, nursing students and dietetic students. Many ICUs incorporate medical students, residents and Critical Care Fellows on their interprofessional team.

The ICU is a unique place where so many individuals— physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, technicians, pharmacists—pool their cognitive and technical skills. It is an environment rich in continued educational opportunity. It is a specialized environment where the staff must coordinate many disciplines (including cardiology, pulmonary, renal, neurology and infectious disease) into the care of each and every patient.

Association

Society of Critical Care Medicine
500 Midway Drive 
Mount Prospect, IL 60056 
Phone: (847) 827-6888
Email: [email protected]
https://www.sccm.org/Home

Grad Year
2022