25 Must-Know Tips for Every Emergency Doctor

1. Master the Art of Triage—But Don’t Lose the Human Behind the Numbers
Triage is the cornerstone of emergency medicine. Knowing who needs resuscitation, who can wait, and who’s stable is vital. But great emergency doctors go beyond color-coding tags—they read facial expressions, family dynamics, and subtle changes in vitals. Always treat patients like people, not protocols.

2. Know Your Airway Like the Back of Your Gloved Hand
If there’s one thing every ER doctor should be obsessed with, it’s airway management. Whether it’s bag-valve-mask ventilation, supraglottic airways, or rapid sequence intubation—this is not optional knowledge. Remember: if you can’t breathe for your patient, nothing else matters. Practice airway drills regularly, and stay updated on evolving devices like video laryngoscopes.

3. Be Calm in the Chaos—Controlled Panic Saves No One
Emergency departments are organized madness. Code blue in one room, a combative patient in another, and a trauma rolling in. The successful doctor is the one who’s a calm eye in the storm. Breathing techniques, mental checklists, and emotional regulation aren’t just for yoga—they’re essential tools in emergency care.

4. Build an Internal Mental Algorithm for Every Common Complaint
chest pain? Think MI, PE, dissection, pericarditis, pneumothorax, GERD, anxiety.
Abdominal pain? Appendicitis, perforation, torsion, ectopic, diverticulitis, AAA, and more.
Don't wing it. Have mini-algorithms ready for every top symptom. And adjust based on age, sex, vitals, and red flags.

5. Learn to Prioritize Without Apologizing
Patients will want attention immediately—and that’s understandable. But you need to prioritize the dying before the demanding. Explain calmly, “I’ll be with you as soon as possible,” and move on. People don’t have to like it, but your calm authority helps everyone feel safer.

6. Speak in Clear, Concise, and Compassionate Language
You are a translator between life-threatening information and an emotionally overwhelmed patient or family. Avoid medical jargon. Instead of “You have a myocardial infarction,” say, “You’re having a heart attack, and we are giving medicine to help.” Mastering this communication saves misunderstandings—and lives.

7. Develop a Fast and Focused Physical Exam
In emergencies, time is muscle, time is brain, time is life. You don’t have 30 minutes per patient. Develop a system of quick, targeted exams:
– ABCs
– Focused head-to-toe (based on chief complaint)
– Look, listen, palpate, percuss—where relevant
You need to spot subtle signs without wasting precious minutes.

8. Stay One Step Ahead in Resuscitations
If you're waiting until the blood pressure drops to act, you’re late. The best ER doctors anticipate deterioration. Have fluids ready, pressors lined up, airway equipment within arm's reach. Anticipation is the difference between reacting and managing.

9. Build Great Relationships With Nurses—They Are Your Frontline Allies
A smart emergency doctor knows that collaboration saves lives. Respect the nurses, listen when they’re worried, and involve them in decisions. They often notice changes first—and they’ll have your back when things get hectic.

10. Don’t Underestimate Non-Urgent Complaints—They're Sometimes Disguises
That “anxious” patient with shortness of breath may have a silent PE. That “faking” teenager might be hiding abuse. That vague back pain could be an aortic dissection. You need a sixth sense—but also a checklist mind. Rule out the deadly causes, even when you suspect benign.

11. Master the Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
From FAST exams in trauma to assessing cardiac function and IVC collapsibility in shock, POCUS is your ER stethoscope. It gives instant answers, and smart doctors use it like a diagnostic sword. If you're still relying solely on physical exams and waiting for radiology, you're behind.

12. Avoid Anchoring Bias—It’s the Mind Killer
It’s tempting to stick with your first diagnosis. But good ER doctors challenge their own assumptions constantly. Ask yourself: “What else could this be?” And never let a previous diagnosis from another hospital or doctor bias your fresh evaluation.

13. Know Your Limits—And When to Consult or Refer
Emergency doctors are generalists with specialist-level instincts. But know when to call neurosurgery, cardiology, or OB. You're not expected to know it all, but you are expected to know when help is needed. Delayed referrals kill patients.

14. Learn to Deliver Bad News with Humanity and Grace
Death happens in emergency rooms. It's never easy. But delivering tragic news with clarity, compassion, and empathy is part of your job. Sit down. Look family members in the eyes. Avoid vague phrases like “passed away”—say what needs to be said, gently but clearly.

15. Keep a Log of Rare but Deadly Diagnoses
Use a personal log or note app to track cases you’ve seen or read about—especially the “don’t miss” diagnoses:
– Aortic dissection mimicking gastritis
– Ectopic pregnancy with negative hCG
– Spinal epidural abscess in IV drug user
Revisiting these keeps your diagnostic radar sharp.

16. Know the Common Med-Legal Pitfalls in Emergency Medicine
From missing MIs in young women to failing to do pelvic exams in abdominal pain—medical errors often stem from patterns of omission. Learn the common legal traps and document well. “Discussed red flags,” “patient advised to return if,” and “follow-up arranged” can save your license.

17. Keep a Mental “Don’t Miss” List for Every Shift
Even on the slowest night, ask yourself:
– Did I check for ectopic in women of childbearing age?
– Did I document neuro exam in headaches?
– Did I explain return precautions to every discharged patient?
Don’t rely on memory. Create end-of-shift checklists if needed.

18. Use Humor as a Coping Mechanism, But Never as a Weapon
Emergency medicine is intense. Dark humor in the breakroom is one way doctors cope. But never, ever let sarcasm bleed into the patient area. Patients remember how you made them feel. Be kind—even when exhausted.

19. Recognize Burnout Before It Recognizes You
No hero complex. If you’re snapping at staff, dreading every shift, or mentally checking out—you need a break. Great doctors aren’t machines. Rested doctors save lives; exhausted ones make errors. Protect your mental health like it’s a vital sign.

20. Stay Humble. The ER Will Humble You Anyway
You’ll miss things. You’ll pronounce someone dead minutes before the monitor shows a rhythm. You’ll be sued for a diagnosis that wasn’t even in your differential. And you’ll save lives, too. Stay humble. The ER is not a place for egos.

21. Learn from Every Single Case
Good ER doctors survive. Great ones evolve. After every shift, ask:
– What could I have done better?
– What did I miss?
– What will I do differently next time?
Learning never stops—and your patients deserve your upgraded version every time.

22. Create a Mental Backup Plan—Always
Plan A: Intubate.
Plan B: LMA.
Plan C: Surgical airway.
Whether it's airways, codes, or trauma—always have a second and third plan ready. The worst time to improvise is during a crisis.

23. Keep Up with the Literature—but Don’t Drown in It
New studies come out daily. From D-dimer cutoffs to head injury rules—it’s overwhelming. Make a habit of reviewing one new guideline or paper per week. EM blogs, podcasts, and summaries can help. Be informed, but not overloaded.

24. Take Ownership of Your Department
Your shift doesn’t begin and end with your own patients. Keep an eye on the waiting room. Help junior colleagues. Encourage cleanup. A successful emergency doctor contributes to team flow—not just personal performance.

25. Celebrate Small Wins—Even in the Middle of the Chaos
You found a hidden dissection. You convinced a homeless diabetic to start insulin. You reassured a panicking mother. These victories matter. Take a moment to reflect on them. They’ll keep you going through the night shifts, the lawsuits, and the tragedies.