Reel Emergency is a dynamic new vodcast led by emergency medicine thought-leaders Mark Piehl, MD, MPH, Peter Antevy, MD and David Spiro, MD, MPH. The concept arose from the success of Dr. Spiro’s brainchild ReelDx.com, which uses real patient footage to advance education in emergency medicine. Together, these physicians developed a vision for a new educational forum using video footage of compelling cases to engage in collaborative discussion of clinical decision-making. The live program encourages audience interaction and input moderated by Hilary Gates, Director of Educational Strategy at Prodigy EMS.
I spoke with the physician team about their thoughts on Reel Emergency thus far.
With the rapidly growing number of medical podcasts and webinars available, what makes Reel Emergency (ReelEm) different?
Peter Antevy, MD: Reel Emergency is the first-of-its-kind collaborative platform that uses actual patient video captured on body cams worn by clinicians in action. For me, as soon as we dive into the video I can feel my heart rate increase and senses becoming more alert. It’s truly incredible to review a case with such detail and feel through all the decisions that took place.
David Spiro, MD MPH: The use of real patient video cases is so engaging. It is the basis for ReelDx, the company I co-founded, with the intention of enhancing learning using real clinical scenarios. In Reel Emergency we dive deeper into the situation and learn from one another through audience interaction.
Mark Piehl, MD MPH: In addition to the incredible learning opportunities offered through body cam footage, the entrepreneurial approach of our clinical team, guest experts, and the audience participants, makes every episode an incredible learning experience.
What excites you most about being a part of ReelEm?
David Spiro, MD MPH: I really love the total collaboration between us and how it is so organic and real. We have a lot of fun producing this program and engaging with the participants who bring their own experience and perspective to each episode.
Mark Piehl, MD MPH: Honestly, the audience participation and feedback is the most encouraging part of this project. I feel like we’re helping to make a difference in the way care is provided in the field, and that is impactful. That was a driving force in developing LifeFlow and also now for Reel Emergency. Some case presentations have become a bit emotional for us all, particularly ones where survival was really questionable for the patient.
Tell me about your team overall. What do you enjoy most about working with your fellow MDs and Prodigy EMS on this venture?
Mark Piehl, MD MPH: I’ve found that as we prepare for and discuss each case, we all learn from one another’s unique experiences and expertise. These cases can be challenging and the shared respect we show one another in continuously learning in this forum has been tremendous.
Peter Antevy, MD: The team we’ve assembled is made up of educators at heart and that’s what I love the most. It’s one thing to be a great clinician, but the ability to lift others to that same level requires the passion and desire to do so. Mark, David, James, and Hilary are lifelong educators who have revolutionized the way EMS professionals master their craft. It’s an honor to work alongside each of them.
How does the team select cases to address?
David Spiro, MD MPH: Based on current interest from our learners, and hot topics in medicine, we evaluate case footage and make a selection on what would be exciting to present and discuss. We hope to close each episode offering a better understanding of a clinical topic and confidence in addressing similar cases and situations.
Peter Antevy, MD: Reel Emergency cases should make your heart race a bit and make you sit on the edge of your seat. They are cases that require sharp assessment skills, rapid decision making, and great team communication. With that in mind, we have the ability to search through thousands of hours of actual body cam videos and select the cases we think would provide the greatest educational benefit.
What has been your favorite episode so far and why? Is there an experience with audience interaction that stands out to you?
Peter Antevy, MD: Two episodes stand out to me, one being the gunshot wound that highlighted the importance of early resuscitation (with whole blood) prior to intubation, and the second was the end-of-life case which provided a glimpse of what real compassionate care looks like. EMS professionals have the privilege of helping people during their worst moments, and these videos both demonstrated examples of highly trained and compassionate EMS clinicians.
Mark Piehl, MD MPH: I’d have to say that the gunshot wound case, episode 3, really stuck out for me since pre-hospital trauma care is often stressful and complex. This case allowed us to discuss a physiology-based approach to pre-hospital trauma care and observe sequencing of several important procedures. Best of all, though this patient had a severe and life-threatening injury, he ultimately walked out of the hospital. The group discussion of carrying and delivering whole blood in the field was dynamic and powerful.
David Spiro, MD MPH: I like the end of life/hospice case. That discussion was fantastic. A topic not well discussed.
What do you see is the true impact and value of ReEm on EMS and Emergency Medicine personnel?
Peter Antevy, MD: My hope is that Reel Emergency leads to an elevation of the profession of EMS. For years people viewed us as “ambulance drivers” without truly recognizing the impact a high performing EMS system could have on a community. I hope that it inspires individuals to continue to learn and become better clinicians and elevate the level of care they provide.
Mark Piehl, MD MPH: We hope to continue to offer a forum for discussion of important and emerging topics in emergency medicine and pre-hospital care that can become a regular part of provider education.
What is your vision for the future of ReEm?
Peter Antevy, MD: I would love to see Reel Emergency become required instruction in paramedic programs across the country. The library of content that we will build, one case at a time, will ultimately impact hundreds of thousands of clinicians as they enter this great field. I also hope that it opens the door for more videos to be made available for education in the coming years.
David Spiro, MD MPH: I want to see us stay authentic, real, and have fun while continuing to learn from each other.
Mark Piehl, MD MPH: As more EMS agencies begin to adopt body-worn cameras we would love to expand the number and scope of cases we present and to continue to host a variety of clinical experts to help us discuss evidence-based practice and new directions in clinical care.
Reel Emergency is co-sponsored by 410 Medical, Handtevy Pediatric Emergency Standards, and ReelDx. It is Powered by Prodigy EMS. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel to see past episodes, and follow Reel Emergency on Facebook and Twitter.