I teach young neurology residents. The other day I caught one of them muttering under his breath about the way a stroke code was being conducted, loud enough for the ED attending, a physician with 30 years' experience, to hear.

I know I'm supposed to be the kinder, gentler face of medical education but I brought that young resident up short. What neurologists do requires a great deal of specialized knowledge, but the emergency department physician's job is the hardest in the hospital, as that physician is called upon to be an expert in whatever walks in. I made sure that resident understood that in future he is to treat the ED physician with respect.

Although I understand your job, I could never do it, and I am very glad that you and my other intrepid ED colleagues show up for work every day. I hope that means something.