Intensive care medicine encompasses the assessment, resuscitation and ongoing management of critically ill patients with life-threatening single and multiple organ system failure. 

Work is not confined to the intensive care unit, since patients are usually admitted to the unit from the care of a primary team elsewhere within the hospital.  Intensive care specialists are also frequently involved in transporting and assisting with the management of seriously ill patients who may not eventually end up in the intensive care unit.

In Australia and New Zealand, medical practitioners may register for training with the Joint Faculty for a six year training program, resulting in the award of the diploma FJFICM, Fellowship of the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine.