“The Pitt” and the Power of Realism

Unlike the fast-paced, idealized drama of “ER,” “The Pitt” presents a more raw and contemporary view of a U.S. emergency department (ED). It’s been described as gritty, chaotic, and honest.

“We wanted to show the real issues: the boarding crisis, the pressure of waiting room medicine, the amazing teachers during rounds,” Dr. Sachs said.

To achieve that level of realism, the production brings in residency-trained, board-certified emergency physicians as technical advisors. These doctors undergo a 200-hour training session led by Sachs himself, and the show writers receive extensive medical briefings—up to 20 pages per episode. The goal is to get every detail right, from terminology to trauma choreography.

Their efforts are paying off. One viewer, a young ED nurse, wrote, “OMG, this is the first medical show I can actually watch.”

Another episode, focused on the emotional strain of boarding, led to a moment of real-life empathy: A patient hugged their physician after watching The Pitt, saying they finally understood why the ED felt so overwhelmed.

When Fiction Heals: Viewer Impact and Industry Praise

Behind the scenes with the creative minds of The Pitt: where medicine meets storytelling to educate, inspire, and heal. Dr. Joe Sachs is seated in the center with a hat. Standing in the second row, far right, is Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch. (Click to enlarge.)

Dr. Sachs discovered that using entertainment and realistic storytelling is a surprisingly effective way to convey health messages. “The Pitt” has become an unintentional case study in effective health communication, offering scenarios that mirror everyday challenges for physicians and patients alike.

An episode involving a 90-year-old patient facing difficult end-of-life decisions prompted a viewer to approach their own family’s care with new clarity. Another showcased a physician with PTSD from the COVID-19 pandemic, resonating with many health care workers still processing that trauma.

“We’re not just educating the public,” Dr. Sachs noted. “We’re educating physicians too, reminding them they’re not alone in their experiences.”

Noah Wyle, who starred in both “ER” and “The Pitt,” has heard from fans who entered the medical field because of their exposure to “ER.” Dr. Sachs said he hopes “The Pitt” can have a similar, if not more profound, long-term impact. After the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency medicine residencies had more openings than ever before. However, in the last year, interest has rebounded dramatically, and there is no longer a lack of interest.