To be eligible for dual Certification, the resident must satisfactorily complete 60 months of combined education, which must be verified by the directors of both programs. The certifying examinations cannot be taken until all five years are completed.
The objectives of the combined training in Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine (EM/IM) include the training of physicians for practice or academic careers which address the spectrum of illness and injury from the emergent through the chronic. Graduates of the combined training may function as generalists, practice either discipline, enter subspecialty training, or undertake research. Within an institution, their perspective spanning two specialties has the potential to increase communication and understanding.
Combined programs include components of categorical Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine residencies which are accredited respectively by the Residency Review Committee for Emergency Medicine (RRC-EM) and by the Residency Review Committee for Internal Medicine (RRC-IM), both of which function under the auspices of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). While combined programs will not be independently accredited, their accreditation status is determined by that of the parent residencies.
After completion of a combined EM/IM residency program, the graduate will be eligible to sit for boards in each specialty. The Boards will not accept training in a newly established combined program if the accreditation status of the residency in either discipline is probationary. If the residency in either discipline receives probationary accreditation after initiation of the combined training, new residents should not be appointed to the combined training.
