Hi Reddit, I’m an ER doctor with 5 years of experience working at a busy community trauma center. I’ve seen a wide spectrum of human experience come through those doors—car crashes, gunshot wounds, overdoses, and the truly bizarre. Some nights it’s nonstop controlled chaos; other times it’s quiet until it suddenly isn’t.
Ask me anything about what really happens behind the scenes—wild cases, ethical gray areas, tough conversations, dealing with patients who don’t want help, etc. I’ll answer as openly and honestly as I can, while respecting privacy and patient confidentiality. Let’s talk.
Comments
Is there any particuliar kind of accidents you prefer not to see?
What’s the common thing you see children under 10 come in for? The most severe cases and the less severe cases?
How strange does a situation have to be for it to be worth saying to colleagues?
Why do EDs tell you x is wrong with you and to follow up with your doctor for further testing, instead of doing the testing while you’re in the hospital?
craziest thing you saw?
What are your thoughts on endometriosis chronic illness and coming to the er during acute problems due to the condition or chronic flares????
whats the grossest thing youve seen on a person
I have gastroparesis and no colonoscopy motility. I have to go in pretty often for cyclic vomiting syndrome as I can’t stop vomiting without IV Zofran and liquids. The doctors act like I’m crazy for having to go in once or twice a month due to that and don’t take anything seriously. Do y’all get frustrated with frequent patients like me?
No urgent cares here offer IV fluids.
What are common issues that are right on the border of needing to go to the ER vs Urgent Care and vice versa?
Like, where you say “yeah I can see why you thought to go to urgent care vs. the er, but you really should have come to the er” and vice versa.
Is chloraprep or chlorhexidine used in emergency situations, or ERs in general?
I used to work in the ED and I miss the physicians so much! Were you involved in a lot of traumas that came in?
As some who get panic attacks, what do you think when someone shows up with one.
• What was the most surreal/bizarre situation you experienced during a shift?
• What was the strangest accident that brought a patient to the emergency room?
• I imagine you must have lost a patient at some point. How do you handle informing the family, and how do you make sure it doesn’t affect you personally?
What’s the funniest story behind an injury you’ve treated?
How often do you pull things out of butts and what is the most common item. I’m an Ed tech and we find a lot of things in there
When people come through and they have health anxiety and they are talking way too much because that’s how they cope, does it annoy you?
Do you lose your appetite when you’re working there
How often do patients not believe your diagnosis? Got some fun examples?
Recently a wonderful younger dr took care of us in the ER and I would like to give him something to show our appreciation but not sure what. Any suggestions? Thanks for helping other humans survive!
How do you feel about near death experiences and what are your thoughts on the afterlife?
How much money do you make?
What led you to become an ER doctor and what part of your job could drive you away from wanting to continue to be one
What’s your preferred French fry: standard, steak, crinkle, shoe string, waffle, curly?
So I’m assuming you’re contracted?
What are your thoughts on the recent Malpractice suit that states the hospital can’t be charged with malpractice due to the provider being a contract employee?
Do you think hospitals will push to hire docs and nurses through agency to avoid liability in the future? How do you feel about this case and what do you think it means for the future of us working inpatient
Do you ever feel like you are just a receptionist?
Do you treat nurses and other healthcare staff with kindness and respect?
What advice would you give someone applying to med school with an interest in EM?
Ideally you hear this from your own doctor/specialist, but have you ever seen signs of obvious terminal cancer that was a complete surprise to the patient being seen?
I see that if the medication is correct, the patient recovers very fast, but I ran into two cases where the doctor refused to be wrong and kept saying that it would take time for the medication to work. As a patient, how can I convince the doctor without hurting their feelings that the diagnosis is wrong and if I check out now, I would die at home?
Been in the emerge 3x since March for a suspected cardiac problem
had 6 ECG readings at this point
near 7 blood tests
1 Xray
Each time they’ve ruled out a cardiac episode-issue
For a relatively healthy 39yr old who regularly exercises and have a decent diet, do I need to just calm down and live my life? I’ve became a hypochondriac in the process and mildly depressed
It’s taken over my life, haven’t been the same since
*have further tests soon including a cardiologist just to rule everything out
How often do you see sepsis and which kind is the most common? I’ve had UroSepsis twice and it was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever been through. The most recent time, while in the ER, there were also three other “code sepsis” called on the intercom, not including the one called for me.
How many turkey sandwiches do you rx per shift?
I went to the ER recently for upper GI pain (it was bad). Turns out I was severely dehydrated and needed to pass some good ole material. I was kinda embarrassed about it. How many people come to the ER because they are backed up?
Have you seen the Pitt? If so, what does it get right and what does it get wrong?
How accurate is the show The Pitt?
When should you not go to the ER? I feel like invisible symptoms like chronic pain and back pain isn’t where we should be, but sometimes the waiting list is so long. Where do we get help if we can’t get into a PCP in time?
My sister had a carotid blowout and the EMTs could not get her pulse to work on her own. After 20 minutes at her house they took her to the ER. What are the chances she could have been revived at the hospital? I am pretty sure she passed at her home (with me).
Why do ER patients in obvious pain get denied pain meds and treated like junkies? It’s getting a bit out of hand from my perspective. I’ve seen it a lot with many people, myself included.
It’s not like I turn up to ER regularly or anything like that.
What’s the most ethically questionable thing that happens at the ER on a semi-regular basis? Really though.
I had a severe injury a couple months ago and was scared of going to the er due to the costs, is that a genuine fear? I fear that if my life is in danger id be too scared to call an ambulance or go to the er because of costs
Im an emt so would be interesting to hear your perspective
Are you a resident, fellow, or attending? How do you feel COVID affected your practice, if at all?
Ever had a patient that doesn’t seem human?
Are you thinking of moving to Canada? 🙂
Have you ever had to treat Rabies?
A family member was told that they should get a pacemaker (not life or death urgent, but necessary). Have you seen a lot of these cases? Have you seen then fail?
How often do you think people in extreme pain, perhaps not from an obvious source, are declined pain medication by doctors suspicious of their claims?
How hard can/does your coworkers party?
I probly already know the answer but, are ER Drs allowed to date their patients families? This Dr tonight was so fucking hot, got me wondering!