Trauma: Life in the E.R.

If you want to know what 'ER' should *really* be like, take a look at this show. Despite the fact that the only other review on IMDb gave it a poor rating, the guy was obviously not paying attention to the fact THAT IT IS REAL. It's a REAL LIFE DOCUMENTARY. IT'S NOT A DRAMA SERIES. Everything you see on this show is not staged or scripted. Every person on camera lives, breathes and works in their profession. They're not actors, that's not fake blood and those are real screams of pain.

As a medical professional, I can honestly say that this is the show to watch, especially if you're tired of the medical dramas out there. The fact that it's real puts it on a level far above ER. Don't knock it until you've seen it.

10/10

While I haven't watched this show in probably 10 years, it stills stick with me as one of the most powerful documentary series I've ever watched.

The show takes you on a tour through a Hospital's emergency department where you meet doctors, victims, relatives and friends, and witness trauma surgery, life and death. It's all presented in a very authentic and direct way.

You will see victims from the second they're rolled in to the hospital and laid on the surgery table. You will be absorbed and excited while begging for a positive outcome, because some will die. In some cases you will also see relatives get the news that their family member passed away. It is truly powerful, insightful and at times heartbreaking.

Beware that the series shows quite disturbing graphic images (uncensored), and some episodes has images of very extensive injuries and people on strong drugs. Though uncensored, faces and all sexual organs on screen will always be censored.

Trauma: Life in the E.R. is a documentary series on what it's like in a hospital emergency room. It is not a drama series with actors and scripts. Those are real people and real doctors. All the blood and all the wounds you see on this show are absolutely real. E.R. sucks compared to this. Nothing can ever come close to real life. I remember see a guy being brought in from a car crash and he didn't look like he was that hurt. But then you get a look at his foot which is literally hanging on by the skin. This show is absolutely thrilling to see. especially if you want to be a doctor. This show is definitely not for people with weak stomachs. Overall I give this show a 10/10.

'Trauma: Life in the E.R.' works really well as a introduction to how the medical system works, but isn't good for much more than that. It's biggest fault is that it went the opposite way of 'ER', and concentrates more on the lives of the patients instead of the doctors and medical staff, which pretty well knocks out any entertainment value that could be derived from the series. The biggest surprise to me is how well the series has done, as the relatively poor production values and unfocused direction are just too much of a distraction. A real misfire compared to 'ER'.

4/10

I do not condemn this program. In fact I do watch it from time to time. Everything you see is real, no acting no BS about it. What I find disturbing about it is the producers claim that they only show patients who give their consent. I don't buy it one bit. The reason is simple. The first time I watched it, a man was brought in unconscious after being hit by a car, the man unfortunately died on the table without regaining consciousness. Now how could they possibly get that man's consent to show him on camera, to show his face, to use his name, I don't think so. And to top it off, the man's wife was in the waiting room not knowing what has happened, when the sawbones walks in to tell the bad news the cameras were rolling capturing all the shock and grieving. I have seen many more examples like it. Now if that is not exploitation, someone will have to explain to me what is. For this reason I only give 5/10.