An online emergency physician - survey demography, education and experience of German emergency physicians

Background and objective: German emergency patients are treated by (emergency) physicians (EP). The entry level to emergency medicine differs. Manual skills experience (e.g. tracheal intubation) and knowledge of guidelines are minimum requirements. It is currently unclear who works as an EP and what medical experience he or she has. Methods: The anonymous survey was online from 10/15/2010 to 11/16/2011 and distribution was supported by leading physicians informing society members. Online networks informed independent physicians. Results: 2091 EP took part, 1991 datasets were evaluated, 100 datasets were excluded. All results are shown as mean standard deviation and range (minimum - maximum). Mean age of the EP was 42 +/- 8 years (26-71 years), 80% (n = 1604) were male, 20% (n = 387) were female. Participants finished medical school in 1997 +/- 8 years (1964-2010). Base specialty during rotation was anesthesiology 59%, internal medicine 32%, surgery 26%, trauma surgery/orthopedics 21%, others 16%. Consultants were 75%. Main income source was answered as "hospital physician" by 77%, "resident doctor" by 15%, "professional emergency physician" by 7%. The participants use a widespread chance for CME (Continuing Medical Education). Conclusion: The participants appear experienced in medicine and emergency medicine. They use a widespread chance for CME. Most of the participants work in anaesthesiology.