You will see things in the pediatric ER setting that most people never experience at all. As a fellow with our program, what measures will you use to avoid the negative emotions that naturally come from such consistent exposures?

"I know that bad things happen to good people, and that can especially be seen in the emergency room. Residency training put me at a large regional children's hospital where I worked with young patients with cancer and other life-threatening diagnoses. While emotionally difficult, I have an innate ability to focus on the positives and know my role is to help them achieve a great outcome. They rely on me, and I cannot break in front of them. If I ever get emotional, I wait until I can talk with my colleagues and unwind with our emotions."

Constant exposure to the scariest situations possible in medicine poses a real risk to your mental health. First, you want to let it be known that you're aware of the risks that come with being a pediatric emergency physician and explain the methods you intend to use to support your mental and emotional health while on the job as a fellow and future physician in practice.