EPISODE · Jun 8, 2026 · 53 MIN
From Frazzle to Flow: Mental Focus, Rehearsal, and Peak Performance in Pre-Hospital Care with Dr Stephen Hearns
from Pre-Hospital Care Podcast · host Eoin Walker
Today on the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast, the discussion opens with a critical question: why do even highly trained clinicians struggle to perform under pressure, and what can be done about it? To explore this, we are joined by Dr Stephen Hearns, a globally respected clinician, educator, and author whose work bridges emergency medicine, human performance science, and high-stakes decision-making.Stephen is a consultant in emergency and aeromedical retrieval medicine and played a central role in developing Scotland’s Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS), a government-funded critical care retrieval organisation delivering advanced pre-hospital care to major trauma patients and those with complex critical illness in remote environments.Drawing on his book Peak Performance Under Pressure, Stephen examines the cognitive and behavioural factors that influence performance in extreme conditions. This episode focuses on practical strategies, including mental rehearsal, shared mental models, and cognitive aids, and how these translate into sharper decision-making and improved outcomes in real-world pre-hospital care.Further reading relevant to this episode from Stephen can be found here:https://corecognition.co.uk/blog/the-arc-of-performanceLearn more about Core Cognition:https://corecognition.co.uk/This episode is sponsored by PAX: The gold standard in emergency response bags.When you’re working under pressure, your kit needs to be dependable, tough, and intuitive. That’s exactly what you get with PAX. Every bag is handcrafted by expert tailors who understand the demands of pre-hospital care. From the high-tech, skin-friendly, and environmentally responsible materials to the cutting-edge welding process that reduces seams and makes cleaning easier, PAX puts performance first. They’ve partnered with 3M to perfect reflective surfaces for better visibility, and the bright grey interior makes finding gear fast and effortless, even in low light. With over 200 designs, PAX bags are made to suit your role, needs, and environment. And thanks to their modular system, many bags work seamlessly together, no matter the setup.PAX doesn’t chase trends. Their designs stay consistent, so once you know one, you know them all. And if your bag ever takes a beating? Their in-house repair team will bring it back to life.PAX – built to perform, made to last.Learn more at https://www.pax-bags.com/en/
What this episode covers
Today on the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast, the discussion opens with a critical question: why do even highly trained clinicians struggle to perform under pressure, and what can be done about it? To explore this, we are joined by Dr Stephen Hearns, a globally respected clinician, educator, and author whose work bridges emergency medicine, human performance science, and high-stakes decision-making.Stephen is a consultant in emergency and aeromedical retrieval medicine and played a central role in developing Scotland’s Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS), a government-funded critical care retrieval organisation delivering advanced pre-hospital care to major trauma patients and those with complex critical illness in remote environments.Drawing on his book Peak Performance Under Pressure, Stephen examines the cognitive and behavioural factors that influence performance in extreme conditions. This episode focuses on practical strategies, including mental rehearsal, shared mental models, and cognitive aids, and how these translate into sharper decision-making and improved outcomes in real-world pre-hospital care.Further reading relevant to this episode from Stephen can be found here:https://corecognition.co.uk/blog/the-arc-of-performanceLearn more about Core Cognition:https://corecognition.co.uk/This episode is sponsored by PAX: The gold standard in emergency response bags.When you’re working under pressure, your kit needs to be dependable, tough, and intuitive. That’s exactly what you get with PAX. Every bag is handcrafted by expert tailors who understand the demands of pre-hospital care. From the high-tech, skin-friendly, and environmentally responsible materials to the cutting-edge welding process that reduces seams and makes cleaning easier, PAX puts performance first. They’ve partnered with 3M to perfect reflective surfaces for better visibility, and the bright grey interior makes finding gear fast and effortless, even in low light. With over 200 designs, PAX bags are made to suit your role, needs, and environment. And thanks to their modular system, many bags work seamlessly together, no matter the setup.PAX doesn’t chase trends. Their designs stay consistent, so once you know one, you know them all. And if your bag ever takes a beating? Their in-house repair team will bring it back to life.PAX – built to perform, made to last.Learn more at https://www.pax-bags.com/en/
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From Frazzle to Flow: Mental Focus, Rehearsal, and Peak Performance in Pre-Hospital Care with Dr Stephen Hearns
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