For the specialty of emergency medicine, how is your typical week? 

• Every week is different, but in general we have 3-4 emergency shifts per week and we alternate day/evening/night. Often, we must have organizational implications (teaching, committee, etc).

Do you alternate between emergency room doctor and family doctor? 

• No, I do ER full time.

How is the lifestyle?

• We work hard, but the alternating shifts allow us to have availability during the week for appointments, sports activities outside of peak hours and to be present for school activities.

How to choose between MU5 or MU3 for emergency? How does the practice of an R3 in an emergency differ from that of an R5 in an emergency?​

• The MU5 program is a specialty, so doctors who graduate from this program cannot do "anything else" (office, hospitalization, etc.), but the salary is higher. In the field, we do the same work, we treat the same patients. However, the MU5 program brings expertise and more exposure in terms of techniques and critical care. After a few years of practice, I think everyone will agree that it balances out.

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Is there a way to "boost" the CARMS file to access the R3 program?

• Yes, demonstrate your interest, do internships in emergency, but also in critical care. Plasty and orthopedic internships are very useful to enhance an application as well. Do all basic resuscitation training (ACLS, PALS, ATLS, NRP, EDU, EGLS). Doing a research project in the field is also a great way to demonstrate your interest. Social implications are well seen for applications (disadvantaged clienteles, elderly, drug addiction, etc.).  

What are the advantages of MU3 in an emergency? 

• They are numerous:

• Improve resuscitation skills 

• Comfortable with procedures such as intubations, intraosseous, central lines, etc.

• Targeted Ultrasound Capabilities 

• Management skills

• Development of the educational side of medicine

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Should we make a 2nd CARMS for the R3?

• Yes

If your specialty had to have a romantic relationship with another, which one would it be? 

• It is difficult to answer this question, because the practice is so varied that we must interact with all medical and surgical specialties.

Do you feel underappreciated in the medical community?

• No not at all. We are generally appreciated for our ability to manage unknown patients/initiate the first steps. Our “initial clearing” work is useful.

Do you follow the recommendations you give to your patients? 

• Yes, but in medicine we could all work on the balance of personal and professional life.

What do you think is the hardest and easiest specialty? 

• I believe that all specialties present their own difficulties, it all depends on your personality.

Would you be friends with your colleagues if you met them outside of school or work? 

• Yes! Absolutely, I think good social relations are important, even at work.  

Does your specialty take jokes well? 

• Yes! Many even, you have to have a good sense of humor to work in the emergency room!  

What do you think are the objectives of the bosses in your specialty?

• Provide comprehensive and safe patient care while maintaining cordial professional relationships. Emergency really is teamwork!

How would your friends describe you? 

• Smiling, simple, sneering with a somewhat buffoonish side.  

What's the best advice you've ever been given? 

• We always have 1 minute to think, even when the patient's life is in danger. Likewise, we always have 1 minute to take a break and smile.

Do students sometimes make you feel overwhelmed? 

• No, even if some students are very competent and intelligent, experience plays a big part in the teaching I give them.

What annoys you the most about the other specialties? 

• Sometimes certain specialists refuse to come and see patients at an unfavorable hour.

What complaint or comment from a student or resident bothered you the most and why?

• I don't recall ever having a complaint/derogatory comment about me.