Philosophy of Emergency Medicine

Why do unfinished jobs keep occupying our attention during a busy shift? This introduction to cognitive ‘bandwidth’ explores working memory, interruptions and the Zeigarnik effect, considering how unresolved tasks and growing expertise can influence the mental resources available for emergency care.

Why might the immediate fear of a missed diagnosis outweigh the less visible harms of unnecessary testing? Simon Carley explores ‘risk proximity’, distinguishing risks to patients from risks to clinicians and asking how their timing can distort decisions in the emergency department.

A personal reflection on looking after yourself during a career in emergency medicine. Janos Baombe shares ideas about rest, relationships, emotions, interests outside work and asking for help, explicitly presenting them as lessons from experience rather than an evidence-based mental health treatment guide.

A look back at the 2015 EuSEM congress in Turin, with highlights from emergency medicine education, paediatric analgesia, cardiac diagnostics, airway management and simulation. Janos Baombe also reflects on international collaboration and sessions addressing the migrant and human trafficking crisis in Europe.

How do emergency clinicians know whether they make good decisions? Simon Carley separates sound reasoning from lucky outcomes and argues for feedback on everyday practice, exploring patient follow-up, peer review and conversations that reveal how colleagues reached a clinical judgement.

Telling a family about a sudden death is a defining moment in emergency care. This personal reflection explores preparing yourself, using clear and compassionate language, allowing space for grief and questions, returning to the family afterwards and supporting colleagues involved in the conversation.