KQED's Forum California ER Doctors Reflect on ‘The Pitt’ Effect
Jan 27, 2026
Dr. Sarah Medeiros, UC Davis emergency physician and EM Pulse podcast host, reflects on emotional toll and compartmentalization. Dr. Patil Armenian, UCSF Fresno toxicologist, discusses realism, substance use, and language/access barriers. Dr. Christopher Colwell, chief at Zuckerberg SF General, talks ER operations, pandemic effects, and rising workplace violence. They explore media’s impact on public understanding and ER practice.
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TV Sparked The 'Pitt' Effect
- The Pit has created a 'Pitt effect' raising public awareness about emergency care and systemic issues.
- Doctors say the show's accuracy validated their experiences and sparked conversations about real challenges.
Colleagues Pushed Doctor To Watch
- Patil Armenian watched because colleagues and family urged her to see if it matched reality.
- She found scenes, including COVID flashbacks, emotionally accurate and similar to her own shifts.
Pandemic Effects Still Unresolved
- Emergency staff are still processing pandemic trauma years later and the show surfaced that ongoing recovery.
- Physicians recall rapid early-pandemic uncertainty and lasting impacts on safety and practice.