EMERGENCY MEDICINE - THE CRITICAL FIRST 15 MINUTES AND THE MASTERY OF VERSATILITY: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Emergency Medicine (EM) is a critical specialty requiring rapid decision-making and immediate interventions to improve patient outcomes [1]. Despite its significance, EM is often misunderstood, particularly in regions like Pakistan, where it is perceived as basic first aid rather than a specialized field encompassing acute care, resuscitation, and high-stakes decision-making [1,2]. This narrative review synthesizes existing literature on the unique nature of EM, the critical importance of the initial minutes of emergency care, and the evolving role of EM physicians. It also highlights key challenges such as physician burnout, overcrowding, and resource constraints, while exploring innovations like AI-driven diagnostics and enhanced crisis management. This review also looks at various studies that underscore EM’s impact, training requirements, and the misconceptions surrounding its role in healthcare [3,4].