Our Values
ACEP has identified the following guiding principles for the specialty of emergency medicine. These values are the foundation of ACEP’s policies and priorities and serve as a guidepost for the decisions by the Board of Directors and the Council.
We believe in:
Universal Access to Emergency Care
Emergency care is a fundamental right and unobstructed access to emergency care should be available to all patients who perceive the need for emergency services anytime and anywhere.
Protection of the Physician-Patient Relationship
The physician-patient relationship is the moral center of medicine and must never be compromised by corporate, government, or financial influence.
Training, Standards, and Certification
The highest standards of emergency medicine practice and clinical proficiency rely upon formal training, ongoing education, and continuous innovation. These standards are built upon a fundamental foundation of a unique and evolving body of knowledge delivered through structured and accredited formal emergency medicine residency training programs and demonstrated through ongoing certification by ACEP recognized certifying bodies in emergency medicine.
Safe and Supportive Practice Environments
The interests of emergency physicians and patients are best served when practice environments are fair, equitable, supportive, and safe.
Physician-led Teams
Quality emergency care requires the leadership of emergency physicians at the head of a collaborative health care team.
Fair Compensation
The practice of emergency medicine is indispensable to the sustainability and resiliency of the health care system and emergency physicians should be recognized and fairly compensated for their vital work.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
An inclusive health care environment that embraces diversity, promotes cultural competence, and strives for equity will best serve our members, patients, and communities.
Excellence Across Environments
Emergency physicians can practice with excellence across diverse clinical and administrative environments.
