Emergencies, ER, and Media

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course, taught by a cardiovascular physician, explores the dynamics of emergencies as they occur in society, and specifically, emergency care in the hospital setting. We will emphasize the role of medical professionals analyzing their clinical acumen and judgment, ethical dilemmas, and psychological challenges. We will study real-world hospital emergencies, focusing on both the human and structural responses to medical crises. A major focus will be the portrayal of emergency medicine in popular media, employing TV series (primarily The Pitt) and select movies as appropriate. Students will engage with the ethical complexities of treating patients in the Emergency Room (ER), exploring issues like patient autonomy, resource allocation, and most importantly, decision-making under pressure. Through media portrayals, case studies, guest speakers, lectures, and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the emergency medical field and its media representations.