Philosophy of Emergency Medicine

What information do we lose when a test result becomes simply ‘positive’ or ‘negative’? Using biomarkers and the T-MACS model, this reflection explores continuous measurements, diagnostic probability and shared decisions. It asks whether yes-or-no labels obscure distinctions that matter to an individual patient.

Ashley Liebig reflects on caring for Noah Galloway after his injuries in Iraq and the friendship that followed. Their shared story explores what patients remember: our words, preparation, respect for privacy and everyday kindness, and how those experiences can shape both recovery and a clinician’s practice.

The opening day of badEMfest 2018 puts equality, advocacy and African-led solutions at the centre of emergency care. This report brings together discussions of traditional medicine, respectful transgender care, point-of-care ultrasound and resuscitation, asking how local context and unequal access shape what clinicians can achieve.

Why choose emergency medicine when others question the decision? Medical student Claire Bromley describes the variety, teamwork, teaching and immediate problem-solving that draw her to the specialty. Written for RCEM’s 50th anniversary, her reflection also looks towards global emergency care and learning beyond the UK.

Iain and Simon revisit January 2018 on the St Emlyn’s podcast. The linked discussions include devastating brain injury, dizziness, clinical reflection, CRYOSTAT-2 and the ADRENAL trial, alongside conference reports and working in Africa. The episode brings together that month’s clinical evidence, education and professional perspectives.