Priorities in global emergency medicine development

Abstract

EM initiatives are gaining global acceptance as a result of emergency physicians; local advocates; national, transnational, and international EM organizations; and governmental leadership, organizations, and agencies involved in international health and an evolving global health agenda. Spanning the spectrum from basic initiatives to improve acute care services to mature EM specialty development, all countries acknowledge the need for emergency care. The level of EM development in a country is fluid and depends on many variables, including status of health development, burden of disease,resources, advocacy, available expertise, and public demand. Emergency physicians should support the promotion of EM in the context of essential public health and primary care initiatives in these developing countries. Additionally, emergency physicians should work closely with stakeholders, health policy experts, health economics, and international organizations involved in health care to promote the advancement of EM worldwide.