emergency room doctors are in charge of sudden important or life-threatening emergencies. in addition to dealing with heart attacks, strokes, traumas, issues that require immediate medical attention or surgeries, they also deal with a wide range of other health conditions, such as mental health and drug overdoses. their training is broad and diverse as anyone can walk through the door seeking help. they see patients of all ages and walks of life. however, unlike a general practitioner or family doctor, their immediate goal is to make sure the patient is stable and exclude any serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions.