Critical care is provided for patients who are suffering from life-threatening conditions. The doctors who work with these people are often called intensivists. They focus on a range of different issues, so they can serve people who need immediate and life-saving care. Since people who need critical care are suffering from such a wide variety of issues, intensivists must have a thorough understanding of diverse types of medical issues and the devices and medications needed to treat them.

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.