Their efforts are paying off. One viewer, an 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

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.

More favorite scenes! (Click to enlarge.)

“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, and there is no longer a lack of interest.

Public Health Messaging Needs More Artists

Dr. Sachs believes that to truly move the needle on public health understanding, the medical community must embrace more creative avenues. “The Pitt” doesn’t replace peer-reviewed journals or continuing medical education courses. Instead, it fills a different need—connecting with the public and professionals on emotional and empathetic levels.

5 Fun Things with Dr. Sachs

1. Currently Watching: “Love on the Spectrum”
2. Listening to: An eclectic mix of music from 1970s funk—Parliament, George Clinton—to traditional jazz of Miles Davis.
3. How he decompresses: Intensive 45-minute bike ride in the morning, along the Pacific Ocean.
4. Guilty pleasure: Banana cream pie from The Apple Pan, a 1940s-style diner/shack among towering high-rises in Los Angeles.
5. Looking forward to: Sleep! After grueling 12-hour days and working up to 100 hours a week, it’s no wonder Dr. Sachs looks forward to some shut-eye. With only a week off, he’ll begin filming Season 2 in mid-June, as new episodes will drop in January 2026.

That’s why Dr. Sachs and his team obsess over accuracy, but the primary goal is entertainment. The makeup department creates prosthetics so convincing that some viewers worried about HIPAA violations. Camera movements are choreographed to mimic the kinetic energy of a busy ED. This dedication stems from Sachs’ belief that the ED is the last true safety net in U.S. health care—a place worthy of respect, advocacy, and accurate portrayal.