Royal College of Emergency Medicine Menu Menu
International Organisations

International Organisations

Featuring the International Federation for Emergency Medicine and the European Society for Emergency Medicine

International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM)

International Federation for Emergency Medicine

The World Health Organisation estimates that nearly half of deaths and over a third of disability in low and middle income countries could be addressed by the implementation of effective emergency care. Many countries still have no, or very basic, first line pre-hospital and in hospital emergency care. This means that people suffer devastating impacts from road traffic accidents, workplace injury, infectious illness, heart attacks, stroke and other common problems – things that would be quickly treated in the UK. As a result, people, often children or young adults in the prime of life, die or are debilitated, and not able to work and live a fulfilling and productive life. This also threatens the economic future of an individual, their family, and their community.

The International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) is dedicated to changing this through leading the development of the highest quality of emergency medical care for all people, in all countries. A predominantly volunteer run organisation, IFEM is made up of emergency medicine professional organisations from 66 countries, from all regions around the world. IFEM comprises of a network of emergency medicine specialist doctors who deliver emergency care in their own countries, and collaborate to improve emergency care across the world through:

  • Fostering relationships and knowledge sharing between global emergency care experts and local healthcare providers to fast track better emergency care.
  • Advocating with governments and key influencers.
  • Through our members, developing and making freely available locally relevant education and standards in multiple languages.
  • Rapidly harnessing and sharing clinical and health systems expertise.
  • Leading the collaboration and networking among experts and those developing emergency care to support equality in service and care.
  • Promoting the creation and growth of the specialty of emergency medicine.

IFEM was founded in 1991, with RCEM being a founding member. RCEM has maintained strong ties with IFEM, providing support and through commitment to the work of IFEM in advancing emergency medicine internationally.

IFEM hosts the annual International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM)  – see the previous and upcoming venues.

Royal College of Emergency Medicine Representatives on IFEM Committees and Special interest groups

IFEM Board of Directors 2022-2024

Executive
Dr Saleh Fares Al-Ali | President-Elect
Dr Ffion Davies | Consultant
Professor Sally McCarthy | Immediate Past President
Dr Paul Ho | Vice President
Dr Cherri Hobgood | Secretary
Dr T S Srinath Kumar | Treasurer
Professor Janis Tupesis | Liaison and Oversight Officer
Professor Elizabeth Devos | Director Academic Activities
Paul O’Connor | Independent Non-Executive Director

Regional Representatives
Asia | Dr Faith Mesa-Gaerlan
Europe | Professor Maaret Castren
Australasia | Dr John Bonning
Africa | Dr Mulinda Nyirenda
Central and South America | Professor Edgardo Menendez
North America | Dr Constance LeBlanc

Committees

Clinical Practice Committee
Chair | Don Melady

Continual Professional Development Committee
Chair | Dr Eddie Yuen

Core Curriculum and Educational Committee
Chair | Dr Arif Alper Cevik

Finance Committee
Chair | Dr T S Srinath Kumar

Governance Committee
Chair | Professor Andrew Singer

Research Committee
Chair | Sowjanya Patibandla

Specialty Implementation Committee
Chair | Dr Pauline Convocar

Special Interest Groups

Disaster Medicine Special Interest Group
Dr Ian Maconochie

Emergency Ultrasound Special Interest Group
Mr James Connolly
Dr Rip Gangahar
Professor Tim Harris
Robert Jarman
Srinith Kumar

Gender Specific Issues Special Interest Group
Dr Priya Marathe
Dr Katherine Henderson
Dr Ffion Davies
Professor Fiona Lecky
Dr Angharad Spencer
Professor Suzanne Mason

Geriatric Emergency Medicine Special Interest Group
Professor Suzanne Mason
Dr Jay Banerjee
Dr Simon Conroy
Dr James Van Oppen
Arjun Thaur

Paediatric Emergency Medicine Special Interest Group
Dr Simon Chu

Quality and Safety Special Interest Group
David Hodgson
Professor Fiona Lecky
Srinath Kumar

Advisory Group
Mr Gautham Bodiwala
Mathew Alex
Venkat Kotamraju

If you would like to contact any of these representatives, please contact globalem@rcem.ac.uk

Many more RCEM members contribute through committees, working groups, taskforces or networking at IFEM conferences and other events.

As a federation of grassroots emergency medicine organisations from countries and regions with mature and highly developed emergency care systems, and systems in various stages of development or just starting out, IFEM has unique insight and reach into health systems globally. Members are experts in all facets of emergency care, delivered in all environments, to all ages and types of patients. This enables IFEM to rapidly harness expertise and draw global teams together to work on a project, or any emergency care challenge.

Some of the resources IFEM has recently produced include:

The positive impact IFEM has on people’s lives across the globe is only possible because of our members and volunteers who donate their time, expertise, and resources. If you would like to get involved and play a critical role in advancing global emergency medical care, we encourage you to get in touch. Your financial support will also play a critical role in scaling up the work IFEM does.

To learn more visit www.ifem.cc

Subscribe to the IFEM newsletter at www.ifem.cc/newsletter

Follow IFEM on Facebook @InternationalFederationforEmergencyMedicine and Instagram and Twitter @IFEM2

The International Conference for Emergency Medicine (ICEM)

24 -28 May 2025 – ICEM 2025 – MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA

24th International Conference on Emergency Medicine
Host: Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP)
More information and register.

Upcoming

10 – 13 June 2026 – ICEM 2026 – HAMBURG, GERMANY

25th International Conference on Emergency Medicine
Host: German Association for Emergency Medicine (DGINA)

Previous Conferences

19-23 June 2024 – ICEM 2024 – TAIPEI, TAIWAN

23rd International Conference on Emergency Medicine
Host: Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine (TSEM)

13 – 16 June 2023 – ICEM 2023 – AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

22nd International Conference on Emergency Medicine
Host: Netherlands Society of Emergency Physicians (NVSHA)

14 – 19 June 2022 – ICEM 2022 – MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Hybrid Conference
21st International Conference on Emergency Medicine
Host: Australasian College for Emergency Medicine

9 – 12 June 2021 – DUBAI, UAE
Virtual Conference
20th International Conference on Emergency Medicine
Host: Emirates Society of Emergency Medicine

15 – 18 June 2020 – ICEM 2020 – BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Cancelled due to Covid-19
19th International Conference on Emergency Medicine
Host: Argentine Society of Emergency Medicine

12 – 15 June 2019 – ICEM 2019 – SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

18th International Conference on Emergency Medicine
Host: Korean Society of Emergency Medicine

6 – 9 June 2018 – ICEM 2018 – MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

17th International Conference on Emergency Medicine
Host: Sociedad Mexicana de Medicina de Emergencieas

The European Society for Emergency Medicine (EuSEM)

The European Society for Emergency Medicine (EuSEM) is a non-profit making scientific organisation whose aim is to promote and foster the concept, philosophy and the art of Emergency Medicine throughout Europe. The ultimate objective of the Society is to help and support European nations to achieve the specialty of Emergency Medicine.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is a National Society Member of EuSEM.

The European Emergency Medicine Congress (EuSEM) is an annual congress for healthcare professionals working in emergency medicine. The congress attracts over 3000 Emergency Medicine specialists from around the world. There are opportunities to learn about the new developments in emergency medicine, share best practices and network with like minded people.

The European Emergency Medicine Congress 2024

Save the date for EUSEM 2024, 12 to 16 October in Copenhagen.

Whether it’s your first or tenth time at the congress, we guarantee an unforgettable experience. If you’re a first-timer, get ready to be amazed. If you are a regular, rest assured that this year’s edition will exceed your expectations and will be the highlight of your year.

Get ready for a thrilling time in Copenhagen!

Please see further information about EuSEM 2024 and how to register here



Back to top Back to top