Intensivists

Definition of Intensivist

Intensivists are board-certified physicians who are additionally certified in the subspecialty of Critical Care Medicine. This certification is awarded by the American Boards of Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Surgery. Because subspecialty certification is not offered in emergency medicine, emergency medicine physicians are considered certified in Critical Care Medicine if they are board-certified in Emergency Medicine and have completed a critical care follow-up fellowship at an ACEP-accredited program.

Additionally, there are other physicians who are considered to be appropriately qualified and meet the intensivist requirements. These qualifications were developed by the National Quality Forum and are supported by the MH&SC ICU team. Physicians who meet these qualifications are those who completed training prior to the availability of subspecialty board certification in critical care in their specialty area. Specifically, physicians who are board-certified in Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, Pediatrics or Surgery prior to 1987 and who have provided at least six weeks of full-time ICU care annually since 1987 are determined to be appropriately qualified and meet the requirements for being an intensivist.

Demand for Intensivists

As more and more hospitals recognize the value of intensivist-led intensive care units, the demand for these specialists has increased. A recent study found that fewer than 6,000 intensivists are in active practice in the United States. At the same time, less than 15 percent of ICUs had dedicated intensivists and those without had little hope of hiring intensivists from the limited pool available. 18

The shortage is expected to increase as many teaching hospitals have decreased the size of their critical care fellowship programs for financial reasons. 19

18 COMPACCS Study, JAMA, 2000; 284:2762

19 Leapfrog Group ICU Fact Sheet: http://leapfroggroup.org/FactSheets/ICU_FactSheet.pdf

© 2004 Michigan Health and Safety Coalition