Emergency medicine is a subspecialty that focuses on patients who need immediate and often intensive care. These physicians must be able to handle medical problems quickly to avoid potential complications with their patients. With their knowledge of emergency medicine comes knowledge about many other types of medicine, as they must be able to respond to patients who present a variety of symptoms and problems. They will also have a thorough understanding of emergency medical devices.

A hospitalist is a doctor who works only in a hospital setting. Hospitalists care for patients who are staying in the hospital to recover from an illness or a surgery. Most hospitalists are also internists, and many primary care doctors are hospitalists. Some of them also work in subspecialties or have work in other areas early in their careers. Hospitalists coordinate care for patients admitted in the hospital. They play the role of Primary care doctors in hospital settings.