It involves the care of undifferentiated, unscheduled children with acute illnesses or injuries that require immediate medical attention.
While not usually providing long-term or continuing care, pediatric emergency doctors undertake the necessary investigations and interventions to diagnose patients in the acute phase, to liaise with physicians from other specialities, and to resuscitate and stabilize children who are seriously ill or injured.
[citation needed] A survey published in 2009 found that PEM physicians report higher career satisfaction than doctors in all other specialties.
In Canada, aspiring paediatric emergency physicians must first complete a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
As such, the residency program in its entirety usually has a length of about 6 years and leads to certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.