The Emergency Mind: Wiring Your Brain for Performance Under Pressure

by Dan Dworkis

In a critical situation when everything is on the line, will you be able to perform? ER doctors or not, we all face emergencies in our lives—times when we must make critical decisions in high-stakes, uncertain, pressure-filled environments. Even with the best possible training, bringing our knowledge to bear in the stress and pressure of these moments can feel overwhelming if not impossible. In The Emergency Wiring Your Brain for Performance Under Pressure, Dan Dworkis, MD PhD takes you into the minds of the doctors who run resuscitation rooms and treat the ill and injured to teach you how to perform when the pressure is on. Leveraging the mental models and lessons from his own practice of emergency medicine—as well as from experts in the military, business, and athletic worlds—Dr. Dworkis shows you how to train mentally to perform at your best when you’re needed the most.Whether you’re an emergency medicine resident, medical student, APP, nurse, paramedic, entrepreneur, athlete, or anyone else who performs under pressure, The Emergency Mind will teach you simple, concrete steps to wire your brain for the best possible performance and build your own emergency mind.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medicine, Self Help, Psychology

228 pages, Paperback

Published May 8, 2021

Reviews

[Lizzy Zinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I'm not sure why I stopped reading it. It didn't feel like other self help-y non fictions that are hard to get through and take awhile to digest. Maybe because the topics were directly relevant to my career? Either way, I think this book does a fantastic job describing and giving actionable feedback and advice to those who want to do exactly what the cover says, "wire your brain for performance under pressure". Even for those who don't consider themselves in this category, I still think the mental models he describes and tips and tricks he suggests trying are worthwhile. Would recommend to all humans. 4 stars.

[Christoffer Ericsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the perspective of paramedic and educator in emergency care and with a somewhat experience of performance and cognitive science and psychology, I found "The Emergency Mind" to be an excellent synthesis of most theories and models of performance relevant for clinical work under pressure, presented in an easy to read format aimed for emergency practitioners.

Incorporating a (surprisingly) wide breadth of topics and areas, ranging from psychological frameworks (cognitive biases, system 1 and 2 thinking, for instance) to stoic philosophies of how to approach and handle uncertainties and locus of control, while always using relatable patient cases as examples, the book is really easy to grasp and yet has meaningful depth.

Clearly, such a wide breadth of topics covered is immense and would make for a vast literature of their own, but considering the aim of the book is to give an insightful read with tools and practical tips for clinicians (something every chapter also ends with), "The Emergency Mind" is a must-read. For my part, I intend to incorporate it as course literature for our university advanced paramedics' course module on tactical resilience.

[Kira Sallee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opening read

This book has been extremely insightful! I happen to be a nurse, though not in the ER, and I will be able to apply this knowledge and these ideas to my own practice. I also plan on sharing this book with my ER friends! I know I will think about other day to day things differently, too, like parenting. I think you will be surprised how much this book will help others reflect on their own jobs, careers and personal situations. One job that comes to my mind in which employees have to work under high pressure is that of a chef, cook or restaurant worker. Happy reading!

[Kaidi Liis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,3
Nothing groundbreaking, but a good collection of concrete ways to do better (and practice for doing better) in emergency situations with good and clear examples from (mainly) emergency medicine. (Definitely should be included in the EM starter-pack for new specialists in the system (especially physicians, as it also gives good basis for leadership strategies in emergency situations)). Also liked the wide range of views, from philosophical to very practical.

[Amanda Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in preparation for my intern year of EM residency, and I do think it will help me develop the mental framework needed to make decisions under pressure. There are some extremely helpful concepts in the book and practical ideas for implementing them. I would say by the end the points got repetitive. Ultimately how useful this book will be is up to you and how much you actually try the concepts in this book.

[Carlo Martinello · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book takes inspiration from emergency room but then can be generalized giving lots of mental models to face critical situation.
It is straight to the point and, even if the examples are taken from medicine, it is a treasure for manager that need to deal with the uncertainty.
I would consider the read of this book a must.

[Eugene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

I found the podcast by way of Finding Mastery, then the book via the podcast.

I'll be re-reading and creating notes. It's like Knowledge Project/Farnham Street but through the lens of life and death. Highly recommended.

[Raj Baquerosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant! It’s a mind shaping schematic tools of being a healthcare professional esp in the fast track settings! It could also apply and well-designed scripture to our daily lives as we encounter our unexpected tribulations and intricate challenges, which may help us to be bold and resilient!

[Raquel Salustio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such significant content organized in a elegant and unique way.
Useful in so many ways ...
I will re-read it for sure and share it with teachers and students whether they are related to healthcare or not.

[David Rebula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meant for someone who doesn't already work in the ER

[Sean Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone looking to improve their performance in a dynamic and evolving environment.

[Grant Whitebloom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most relevant to those in the field of emergency medicine, but valuable lessons for anyone in healthcare.