The Continuum of Care: Challenges and Innovations in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
Fifty years ago, Dr. Peter Safar championed the concept of the continuum of care for critically ill and injured patients. This framework emphasized the importance of delivering timely and appropriate care at all stages of a patient's healthcare journey, regardless of their location within the health system. During this era, the specialties of emergency medicine and critical care were emerging as distinct disciplines.
Early leaders in both specialties recognized critical gaps in the identification and management of critically ill and injured patients. By addressing these deficiencies and promoting multiprofessional collaborative care, emergency medicine and critical care became firmly established as essential medical specialties.
Since their inception, these specialties have confronted persistent challenges that continue today: increasing complexity and volume of critically ill patients, shortages of beds, supplies, and staff, and widespread clinician burnout across all levels. The recent pandemic both highlighted and intensified these longstanding issues.
Healthcare systems are employing various strategies to address these challenges, including advanced technologies such as electronic health records, adjunct care models like telecritical care and waiting room medicine, and emerging artificial intelligence applications. Innovation and creative solutions remain essential to tackle these multifaceted problems.
To maintain the highest standards of patient care, clinicians must continue identifying systemic issues and pursuing continuous process improvement across the continuum of care.
