Intensivist

An intensivist is a medical practitioner who specializes in the care of critically ill patients, most often in the intensive care unit (ICU).^[1] Intensivists can be internists or internal medicine sub-specialists (most often pulmonologists), anesthesiologists, emergency medicine physicians, pediatricians (including neonatologists), or surgeons who have completed a fellowship in critical care medicine. The intensivist must be competent not only in a broad spectrum of conditions among critically ill patients but also with the technical procedures and equipment (i.e. mechanical ventilators) used in the intensive care setting.^[2]

Intensivists are often the leaders of multi-disciplinary teams of care providers to help coordinate, collaborate and facilitate providing evidenced-based outcomes. The team members consist of physicians, advanced practice providers such as physician assistants or nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dietitians and other disease specific experts.^[3]

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