Study objectives: We seek to determine whether introducing emergency medicine residents to the subspecialties of emergency medicine in the setting of a specialized academic forum would influence self-reported interest in pursuing a fellowship, an academic career, or further training.

Methods: We undertook an institutional review board–approved, cross-sectional, matched pairs (before/after) survey of attendants to a half-day emergency medicine forum offered to attending physicians, fellows, and residents of training programs in the New York City area. Surveys were completed at the forum. Fellowship directors and academic professionals delivered 20-minute presentations on 10 fields of expertise and then met with participants in an open round robin setting. Data points collected included interests, future plans, and perception of conference impact. Descriptive statistics with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.

Results: Surveys were completed by 31% (95% CI 23.3 to 40.4) of forum attendants (34/109). Average age was 29 years, and 55% were men. Among respondents, 82% were residents and 15% were medical students. Interest in an academic career was cited in 59% before and 71% after the forum, a relative increase of 20% (95% CI 8.1 to 41.6). Interest in completing a fellowship or graduate studies increased from 44% before to 59% after, a relative increase of 33% (95% CI 15.2 to 58.3). Respondents initially reported being “uncertain or not interested in further training” in 53%, which decreased after the forum to 35%, a relative decrease of 33% (95% CI 16.3 to 56.3). Seventy-one percent of the respondents thought that the forum was helpful.

Conclusion: An academic forum describing emergency medicine fellowships and postgraduate training can have a substantial positive impact in altering perceptions and interests in emergency medicine careers. Such forums may play an important role in increasing the profile of and participation in academic emergency medicine.