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[[File:The Doctor, 2378.jpg|thumb|The Doctor of the USS ''Voyager'', a noted EMH program]]
{{Sidebar hologram
 
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[[File:EMH subroutines.jpg|thumb|Subroutines composing an EMH holomatrix]]
|image = EMHMarkI.jpg
 
|imagecap = Emergency Medical Hologram, Mark I (2373)
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{{Disambiguation|individual Emergency Medical Holograms|Emergency Medical Holographic programs}}
|image2 = EMHMarkII.jpg
 
|imagecap2 = Emergency Medical Hologram, Mark II (2374)
 
|appearance = Human
 
|holoprogram = EMH Program AK-1 Diagnostic and Surgical Subroutine Omega-323
 
|creator = Doctor [[Lewis Zimmerman]]
 
|original purpose = Short-term advanced medical assistance during emergencies
 
|occupation = Emergency [[Doctor]]
 
|activation date = [[2371]]
 
|status = Mark I: Decommissioned <small>''([[2377]])''</small><br />Mark II: Replaced
 
|datestatus = 2377
 
|actor = [[Robert Picardo]] (Mark I)<br />[[Andy Dick]] (Mark II)
 
}}
 
{{Disambiguation|the EMH of the USS ''Voyager''|The Doctor}}
 
 
{{aquote|Please state the nature of the medical emergency.|Emergency Medical Hologram, Mark I|2371|Eye of the Needle|Please state the nature of the medical emergency.ogg}}
 
{{aquote|Please state the nature of the medical emergency.|Emergency Medical Hologram, Mark I|2371|Eye of the Needle|Please state the nature of the medical emergency.ogg}}
   
The '''Emergency Medical Holographic program''' (EMH) was a sophisticated [[hologram]] developed in the early [[2370s]] by [[Starfleet]] and used on most [[Federation]] [[starship]]s in the late [[24th century]]. It was designed to provide short-term advanced assistance during emergencies in [[sickbay]] to the extent of literally replacing a starship's [[medical officer]]. ({{DS9|Doctor Bashir, I Presume}}). The formal name of the program was ''EMH Program AK-1 Diagnostic and Surgical Subroutine Omega-323''. As of [[2377]], there have been four versions of the EMH, called Mark I, II, III, and IV. ({{VOY|Projections|Lifesigns}})
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The '''Emergency Medical Holographic program''' or '''Emergency Medical Holographic system''', also known as the '''Emergency Medical Hologram''' ('''EMH'''), '''Emergency Holographic Doctor''', or '''Emergency Medical program''', was an adaptive [[holoprogram]] developed during the [[2360s]] by [[Starfleet]] and used on a number of [[Federation]] [[starship]]s during the late [[24th century]].
   
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It was designed to provide short-term advanced assistance during emergencies in [[sickbay]] to the extent of literally replacing a starship's [[medical officer]]. ({{DS9|Doctor Bashir, I Presume}}) By [[2377]], there had been four versions of the EMH, designated Mark I thru IV. ({{VOY|Life Line}})
== History ==
 
In [[2268]], while testing the ill-fated [[M-5 multitronic unit]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}}, [[Spock]] lamented to [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Leonard McCoy]] on the misfortune that computer programming had not yet advanced far enough to replace a [[starship]]'s surgeon. McCoy retorted that he'd rather resign than be replaced. ({{TOS|The Ultimate Computer}})
 
   
 
==History==
Starfleet commissioned the brilliant holo-programmer [[Doctor]] [[Lewis Zimmerman]] at the [[Jupiter Station Holoprogramming Center]] as the embodiment of modern [[medicine]]. The EMH Mark I was first activated in [[2371]], and was programmed with over 5 million possible treatments from the collective information of 2000 medical references and the experience of [[47]] individual medical officers. The EMH was also supplemented with contingency programs and adaptive programs to learn while serving as a supplement of a normal medical staff in cases of emergency. It contains 50 million gigaquads of computer memory, which is "considerably more than most highly developed humanoid brains." ({{VOY|Lifesigns}})
 
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===Premise===
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One of the earliest known concepts for a "holographic doctor" was first considered, if not rhetorically, by {{EnterpriseNX}} [[Commander]] [[Trip Tucker]]. In [[2151]], Tucker argued to [[Ezral]] &ndash; a [[Kantare]] [[engineer]] who had programmed several holograms of his former crew on behalf of keeping his [[daughter]], [[Liana]], company &ndash; that, with regards of her welfare, "''What if she gets hurt? What do you do then? Program a holographic doctor?''" Ezral, nevertheless, responded simply that "''we've survived here successfully''" without one. ({{ENT|Oasis}})
   
 
[[2268|Over a century later]], while testing the ill-fated [[M-5 multitronic unit]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}}, [[Spock]] lamented to [[Dr.]] [[Leonard McCoy]] that, "''the most unfortunate lack in current computer programming is that there is nothing available to immediately replace the starship surgeon.''" McCoy retorted that, "''if it could, they wouldn't have to replace me. I'd [[resign]] because everybody else aboard would be nothing but [[circuit]]s and [[memory bank]]s.''"
Zimmerman wanted to call his creation the "Holo-Doc", but [[Starfleet Command]] made the request to name the [[hologram]] "Emergency Medical Hologram", instead. ({{VOY|Projections}})
 
   
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Later, following the demise of the M-5, McCoy observed that "''compassion [was] the one thing no [[machine]] ever had. Maybe it's the one thing that keeps men ahead of them.''" Nevertheless, Spock still commented on the idea that, if using McCoy's [[memory engram]]s as a template for the technology used in creating the M-5, "''the resulting torrential flood of illogic would be most entertaining.''" ({{TOS|The Ultimate Computer}})
{{bginfo|This bit of information was seen on a small [[viewscreen]] detailing Zimmerman's life and work history in the above-mentioned episode.}}
 
   
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By the mid-[[24th century]], however, sufficient advancements in the [[field of study|field]] led Starfleet to commission the [[holo-engineer]], Dr. [[Lewis Zimmerman]], to begin work at the [[Jupiter Station Holoprogramming Center]] on the new EMH program. One of the EMH's predecessors was the hologram {{dis|Haley|hologram}}, first activated in [[2368]]. ({{VOY|Projections|Lifesigns}})
Dr. Zimmerman, proud at his achievement, decided to program the EMH with both his physical, and most notably, psychological likeness. Unfortunately, Dr. Zimmerman did not take into account that his own personality made a poor bedside manner for a medical doctor. The resulting hologram was arrogant and irritable, and as a result was poorly received by many Starfleet doctors. This resulted in nicknames like "Emergency Medical Hotheads" and "Extremely Marginal Housecalls." ({{VOY|Lifesigns}}) Some biological Starfleet doctors even went so far as to object to the use of the EMH. [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]] swore that she would never use one, although she was forced to do so in order to create a distraction while the [[Borg]] tried to assimilate the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E|-E}}, allowing her, her medical staff, and her patients, notably [[Lily Sloane]], to escape from sickbay. ({{film|8}})
 
   
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===EMH Mark I===
Starfleet would later request Dr. Zimmerman to design a holoprogram to operate as a full-time doctor in any posting where [[life support]] or living space was at a premium and the primary mission did not require the doctor to leave sickbay. As a result, the research and design for the [[Long-term Medical Holographic program]] was begun in mid-[[2373]]. ({{DS9|Doctor Bashir, I Presume}})
 
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====Specifications====
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{{aquote|You weren't programmed to care. You were programmed to hold a [[scalpel]].|[[Lewis Zimmerman]]|2377|Life Line}}
 
The Emergency Medical Holographic program (EMH) was formally known as an "EMH Program AK-1 Diagnostic and Surgical Subroutine Omega-323", though Zimmerman wanted to call his creation the "Holo-Doc", but [[Starfleet Command]] made the request to name the [[hologram]] "Emergency Medical Hologram" instead. ({{VOY|Projections}} ) The persona was not, however, given a formal [[name]]. ({{VOY|Lifesigns}})
 
{{bginfo|The bit of information from "Projections" was seen on a small [[viewscreen]] [[okudagram]] detailing Zimmerman's life and work history.}}
   
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The design work began around the [[2360s]], where it took the greatest holo-engineers in Starfleet [[year]]s to develop the EMH. Among those eventually involved included [[Reginald Barclay]]. ({{VOY|Message in a Bottle|Projections|Life Line}}) Following its creation, thousands of holograms based on that technology were created for various functions. ({{VOY|Life Line}})
[[Deep Space 9]] did not have an EMH installed initially, as it was incompatible with the station's [[Cardassian]] technology. An EMH was installed in [[2373]] as a way to transfer its data into the [[Long-term Medical Holographic program]] (LMH). ({{DS9|Doctor Bashir, I Presume}})
 
{{bginfo|It is unknown if the EMH was kept aboard the [[space station]].}}
 
   
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The EMH was designed as "''an incredibly sophisticated computer simulation,''" and "''the embodiment of [[modern medicine]].''" ({{VOY|Lifesigns|Parallax}}) The EMH program specifications, which were at the time considered quite "impressive", included the entire [[Starfleet Medical Database]]. In all, it contained over five million medical protocols &ndash; ranging from possible treatments to [[surgical procedure]]s (including one developed by Dr. [[Leonard McCoy]]), the collective [[medical knowledge]] of over three thousand [[culture]]s (including every Federation world), it further possessed information from two thousand [[medical reference source]]s (including ''[[Gray's Anatomy]]'' and ''[[Comparative Alien Physiology]]''), and the experience of [[47]] individual [[medical officer]]s. ({{VOY|Parallax|Ex Post Facto|Lifesigns|Meld|Message in a Bottle}}, {{e|Relativity}}, {{e|Virtuoso}}, {{e|Critical Care}}) Above all, the EMH was programmed with the [[Hippocratic Oath]], that was, an EMH was required that it "do no harm." ({{VOY|Darkling|Bliss|Critical Care}}; {{PIC|Broken Pieces}})
Eventually it was concluded that the EMH Mark I was defective, and they were bounced out of the medical corps. While an ashamed Dr. Zimmerman tried to have them decommissioned, Starfleet reassigned them to scrub plasma conduits on [[waste transfer barge]]s. Later the Mark I's were also deployed in other menial tasks, like [[dilithium]] [[mining]].
 
   
 
The [[universal translator]] algorithm was written into the EMH's matrix. ({{VOY|Gravity}})
Of at least 678 Mark I's created, 675 were reassigned, but at least some escaped by virtue of their ship being lost in the [[Delta Quadrant]]; one aboard ''Voyager'', one aboard the ''Equinox'', and the backup copy of ''Voyager''{{'}}s EMH which was in the possession of the [[Kyrian]]s &ndash; assuming these were not counted among those reconfigured. ({{VOY|Life Line|Author, Author}})
 
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It was designed and programmed solely as a short-term emergency supplement to the [[medical team]] otherwise found aboard a starship, until a permanent replacement could be found, and therefore, was only meant to function for a maximum of 1,500 [[hour]]s (62.5 [[day]]s); after this time, memory degradation would occur. ({{VOY|Caretaker|The Swarm}})
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[[File:EMH memory core files missing.jpg|thumb|A diagram of The Doctor's memory files]]
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The EMH was also supplemented with contingency programs and adaptive programs to learn while serving as a supplement of a normal medical staff in cases of emergency. ({{VOY|Ex Post Facto}}) It contained fifty million [[gigaquad]]s of computer memory, which was "''considerably more than most highly developed humanoid brains.''" ({{VOY|Life Line}}) Memory files were stored in the [[EMH memory core]], where memories concerning a specific subject or period of time could be deleted. ({{VOY|Latent Image}}) Additionally, while not designed to act as [[ship's counselor]], the EMH had been programmed with sufficient psychological knowledge to note observational concerns. ({{VOY|Darkling}})
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Beginning around [[2370]], the entirely new EMH system began to see installation aboard newly launched {{class|Intrepid}} and {{class|Nova}} [[starship]]s. ({{VOY|Equinox|Relativity}}) By [[2371]], Starfleet was still being considered for installation throughout the rest of the [[fleet]]. ({{VOY|Relativity}}) In all, 678 Mark Is were created. ({{VOY|Life Line}})
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Starfleet later requested that Dr. Zimmerman design an EMH supplement, designed to operate as a full-time doctor in any posting where {{dis|life support|system}} or living space was at a premium and the primary mission did not require the doctor to leave sickbay. As a result, the research and design for the [[Long-term Medical Holographic program]] (LMH) was begun in mid-[[2373]]. While [[Deep Space 9]] did not have an EMH installed initially, as it was incompatible with the station's [[Cardassian]] technology, one was later installed that year as a way to transfer its data into the LMH. ({{DS9|Doctor Bashir, I Presume}})
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====Design flaws====
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{{aquote|Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes. You're the Mark I EMH. The inferior program.''"<br />"''Inferior?''"<br />"''Beady eyes, terrible bedside manner. I recognize you.|[[EMH-2]]''' and '''[[The Doctor]]|2374|Message in a Bottle}}
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Dr. Zimmerman, proud of his achievement, decided to program the EMH with both his physical, and most notably, psychological characteristics. ({{VOY|Life Line}})
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Although later deemed to be a design flaw, the EMH had a rather acerbic [[personality]], due primarily to the fact that it was "''designed to practice [[medicine]] as efficiently as possible,''" enhancements, such as carrying on [[small talk]] or knowledge of "''pithy [[Earth]] trivia''" was viewed by its [[programmer]]s as means of cluttering up its memory and compromising its performance. ({{VOY|Persistence of Vision|The Swarm|Future's End, Part II|Relativity}}) Some biological Starfleet doctors even went so far as to object to the use of the EMH. [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]] swore that she would never use one, although she was forced to do so in order to create a distraction while the [[Borg]] tried to assimilate the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E|-E}}, allowing her, her medical staff, and her patients, notably [[Lily Sloane]], to escape from sickbay. ({{film|8}})
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Eventually, it was concluded that the EMH Mark I was defective and they were retired from the [[Medical Corps]]. One key factor being that Dr. Zimmerman did not take into account that his own personality, given as that of the EMH, resulted in a poor [[bedside manner]] for a medical doctor. The resulting hologram was arrogant and irritable, and as a result was poorly received by many Starfleet doctors. This, in turn, spawned nicknames like "Emergency Medical Hotheads" and "Extremely Marginal Housecalls." According to Zimmerman he tried to save face and have them [[decommission]]ed, but "''Starfleet, in its infinite wisdom, overruled me and reassigned them all to work [[waste transfer barge]]s.''" ({{VOY|Life Line}}) Later, the Mark Is were also deployed in other menial tasks, like [[dilithium]] [[mining]]. ({{VOY|Author, Author}})
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[[File:EMH Mark Is mining dilithium.jpg|thumb|left|Several EMH Mark Is mining dilithium]]
 
By [[2378]], the Mark I programs were reconfigured to work at a Federation mining colony in replacement of other forms of labor. These programs, having been reassigned to their new function, were able to obtain bootlegged copies of the [[holonovel]] ''[[Photons Be Free]]'' and view them. One of the EMH miners found the holonovel "provocative". ({{VOY|Author, Author}})
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{{bginfo|The fact that the reconfigured Mark Is could view holonovels suggests that they retained at least some level of sentience left over from their original medical programming.}}
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====Notable extended service====
 
The most notable EMH in Zimmerman's series was the Mark I installed aboard the {{USS|Voyager}}, known simply as [[The Doctor]]. The Doctor, who ran almost continuously for eight years, far exceeded the abilities of his original programming, and was forced to expand his programming extensively to keep up. This EMH originally objected to being the replacement for the entire medical staff, and after having had surpassed its expiration date, its life was fortunately extended with the help of his colleagues, and his program was altered to overcome this shortcoming. ({{VOY|The Swarm}})
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After the EMH Mark II supplanted the "inferior" Mark I, the only remaining versions to fulfill their original programming were aboard the USS ''Voyager'' and the USS ''Equinox'', which were both stranded in the Delta Quadrant and had to implement the emergency holograms for extended periods of time. However, a notable caveat was that the crew of the ''Equinox'' deleted their EMH's [[ethical subroutine]]s in order to allow him to act contrary to the Hippocratic Oath. In [[2376]], the ''Equinox'' EMH was deleted while in ''Voyager''{{'}}s database, leaving ''Voyager''{{'}}s Doctor as the only known remaining Mark I still operating as an EMH. ({{VOY|Equinox|Equinox, Part II}})
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''Voyager''{{'}}s EMH developed a distinct personality over the ship's seven-year-long journey to the [[Alpha Quadrant]]. Despite this, The Doctor was not granted the rights of a living person by a Federation [[Arbiter]], although he did determine that The Doctor fulfilled the requirements of an [[artist]] under the law. The Arbiter did, however, encourage The Doctor to pursue recognition as a sentient being at a later point in time. ({{VOY|Author, Author}})
   
 
An ability unique to The Doctor, ''Voyager''{{'}}s EMH was able to leave sickbay or the [[holodeck]] and to roam freely with the help of a [[mobile emitter]] (originating from [[29th century]] technology). ({{VOY|Future's End, Part II}}) ''Voyager''{{'}}s EMH was even given the responsibility of commanding the ship as the [[Emergency Command Hologram]] (ECH) if the ship's commanding officers were not present, incapacitated, or dead. ({{VOY|Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy|Workforce|Workforce, Part II|Renaissance Man}})
Most notably [[The Doctor]], a Mark I serving on the {{USS|Voyager}}, ran almost continuously for years and was forced to expand his programming extensively to keep up. This EMH originally objected to being the replacement for the entire medical staff, as the EMH program was only meant to function for a maximum of 1,500 [[hour]]s (62.5 [[day]]s); after this time, memory degradation would occur. Fortunately, with the help of his colleagues, his program was altered to overcome this shortcoming. ({{VOY|The Swarm}})
 
   
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===EMH Mark II===
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[[File:EMH Mark II.jpg|thumb|A second generation EMH]]
 
To address the flaws in the EMH Mark I, Dr. Zimmerman began work on the Mark II, a prototype of which was finished in time to be included in the sickbay of the {{USS|Prometheus|Prometheus class}} in [[2374]].
 
To address the flaws in the EMH Mark I, Dr. Zimmerman began work on the Mark II, a prototype of which was finished in time to be included in the sickbay of the {{USS|Prometheus|Prometheus class}} in [[2374]].
   
While the Mark I's outward appearance was a copy of its inventor, a disillusioned Dr. Zimmerman changed the outward appearance of the Mark II. Furthermore, the patterns of behavior of the following versions were designed to be more pleasant and courteous. To achieve this, Zimmerman initially tried to improve on the programming of the Mark I, but eventually decided to create the Mark II from scratch. In addition to that, new ship designs like the {{USS|Prometheus|Prometheus class}} enabled full mobility for the EMH, as the whole ship was outfitted with [[holographic projector]]s.
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While the Mark I's outward appearance was a copy of its inventor, a disillusioned Dr. Zimmerman changed the outward appearance of the Mark II. Furthermore, the patterns of behavior of the following versions were designed to be more pleasant and courteous. To achieve this, Zimmerman initially tried to improve on the programming of the Mark I, but eventually decided to create the Mark II from scratch. In addition to that, new ship designs like the {{USS|Prometheus|Prometheus class}} enabled full mobility for the EMH, as the whole ship was outfitted with [[holographic projector]]s.
   
 
When The Doctor was sent in a holographic data stream to contact the USS ''Prometheus'', he found the [[starship]] in the hands of [[Romulan]]s, who had killed the Starfleet crew and captured the ship. The Doctor activated the ship's EMH, a Mark II, to help him recapture the ship, although the Mark II initially preferred to just deactivate and wait for rescue, and then treated The Doctor as inferior despite the latter's vastly superior life experiences. The Doctor ultimately persuaded the Mark II to take action and help him. They planned to disable the Romulans by venting an anesthetic gas, but The Doctor was captured by the Romulans when he attempted to reach the environmental controls on the [[bridge]]. During The Doctor's interrogation, the Mark II simulated a bio-hazard, opening the vents which released the gas, knocking out the Romulans. The Doctor and the Mark II successfully fought off [[Romulan warbird]]s using the ship's experimental weapons systems, returned the ship into Starfleet's hands, and informed Starfleet that ''Voyager'' was in the Delta Quadrant. ({{VOY|Message in a Bottle}})
By 2377, the Mark II had been replaced by a Mark III, followed by a Mark IV. ({{VOY|Life Line}})
 
{{bginfo|Neither the Mark III or Mark IV programs were shown on-screen, nor was it revealed what happened to the Mark II.}}
 
   
 
By [[2377]], the Mark II had been replaced by a Mark III, followed by a Mark IV. ({{VOY|Life Line}})
[[File:EMH Mark Is mining dilithium.jpg|thumb|left|Several EMH Mark I's mining dilithium.]]
 
 
{{bginfo|Neither the Mark III nor Mark IV programs were shown on-screen, nor was it revealed what happened to the Mark II.}}
By [[2378]], the Mark I programs were reconfigured to work at a [[Federation]] mining colony in replacement of other forms of labor. These programs, having been resigned to their new function, were able to obtain bootlegged copies of the [[holonovel]] ''[[Photons Be Free]]'' and view them. One of the EMH miners found the holonovel "provocative". ({{VOY|Author, Author}})
 
   
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===Late century design===
{{bginfo|The fact that the reconfigured Mark I's could view holonovels suggests that they retained at least some level of sentience left over from their original medical programming.}}
 
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By late century, EMH programs, as well as [[Emergency holographic program|variations on the "emergency" theme]], were all incorporated into the customizable [[Emergency Hologram basic installation]], which was available for [[civilian]] use. Such packages were available onboard [[Kaplan F17 Speed Freighter]]s. ({{PIC|Absolute Candor|The Impossible Box}})
   
===Voyager's EMH Mark I===
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===32nd century design===
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[[File:Eli (EMH).jpg|thumb|[[Eli (hologram)|Eli]], an EMH]]
After the EMH Mark II supplanted the "inferior" Mark I, the only remaining versions to fulfill their original programming were aboard the USS ''Voyager'' and the USS ''Equinox'', which were both stranded in the [[Delta Quadrant]] and had to implement the emergency holograms for extended periods of time. However, a notable caveat was that the crew of the ''Equinox'' deleted their EMH's [[ethical subroutine]]s in order to allow him to act contrary to the [[Hippocratic Oath]]. In [[2376]], the ''Equinox'' EMH was deleted while in ''Voyager''{{'}}s database, leaving ''Voyager''{{'}}s program, "[[The Doctor]]", as the only Mark I still operating as an EMH. ({{VOY|Equinox|Equinox, Part II}})
 
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EMH programs continued to be used by the Federation and Starfleet. One, known as [[Eli (hologram)|Eli]], served as medical officer under Admiral [[Charles Vance]] at [[Federation Headquarters]] in [[3189]].({{DIS|Die Trying|There Is A Tide...}})
   
 
==Mechanics==
''Voyager''{{'}}s EMH (The Doctor) developed a distinct personality over the ship's seven-year-long journey to the [[Alpha Quadrant]]. Despite this, The Doctor was not granted the rights of a living person by a Federation [[Arbiter]], although he did determine that The Doctor fulfilled the requirements of an [[artist]] under the law. The Arbiter did, however, encourage The Doctor to pursue recognition as a sentient being at a later point in time. ({{VOY|Author, Author}})
 
 
The EMH was a holographic simulation of a Human, but with no internal organs beneath the apparent surface to conserve computer power. EMHs were not equipped with reproductive organs. The Doctor, however, wrote additional routines into his [[holomatrix]] to facilitate romantic endeavors and has also had several relationships, one of which inexplicably resulted in a son. ({{VOY|Message in a Bottle|Blink of an Eye}})
   
 
The containment fields could be shut off, allowing objects and people to pass through them &ndash; an EMH's cohesion could range from solid to intangible. ({{VOY|Phage}})
An ability unique to The Doctor, ''Voyager''{{'}}s EMH was able to leave sickbay or the [[holodeck]] and to roam freely with the help of a [[mobile emitter]] (originating from [[29th century]] technology). ({{VOY|Future's End, Part II}}) ''Voyager''{{'}}s EMH was even given the responsibility of commanding the ship as the [[Emergency Command Hologram]] (ECH) if the ship's commanding officers were not present, incapacitated, or even dead. ({{VOY|Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy|Workforce|Workforce, Part II|Renaissance Man}})
 
   
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The EMH's [[imaging system]] and [[tactile acuity subroutine]]s allowed him to perform, "''and in many cases improve upon, the most delicate tactile maneuvers required by a dizzying array of surgical procedures.''" ({{VOY|Lifesigns}})
When The Doctor was sent in a holographic data stream to contact the USS ''Prometheus'', he found the [[starship]] in the hands of [[Romulan]]s, who had killed the Starfleet crew and captured the ship. The Doctor activated the ship's EMH, a Mark II, to help him recapture the ship, although the Mark II initially preferred to just deactivate and wait for rescue, and then treated the Doctor as inferior despite the latter's vastly superior life experiences. The Doctor ultimately persuaded the Mark II to take action and help him. They planned to disable the Romulans by venting an anesthetic gas, but The Doctor was captured by the Romulans when he attempted to reach the environmental controls on the [[bridge]]. During the Doctor's interrogation, the Mark II simulated a bio-hazard, opening the vents which released the gas, knocking out the Romulans. The Doctor and the Mark II successfully fought off [[Romulan warbird]]s using the ship's experimental weapons systems, and returned the ship into Starfleet's hands, and informing them that ''Voyager'' was in the Delta Quadrant. ({{VOY|Message in a Bottle}})
 
   
 
When he was first activated, the Mark I EMH did not have the ability to deactivate himself after he finished his duties. ({{VOY|Eye of the Needle}}) Auto-initiation of the EMH program could be achieved when a ship-wide [[red alert]] was initiated. ({{VOY|Projections}})
== Mechanics ==
 
The EMH was a holographic simulation of a Human, but with no internal organs beneath the apparent surface to conserve computer power. EMHs were not equipped with reproductive organs. The Doctor, however, wrote additional routines into his [[holomatrix]] to facilitate romantic endeavors and has also had several relationships, one of which inexplicably resulted in a son. ({{VOY|Message in a Bottle|Blink of an Eye}})
 
   
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Written as a supplement to {{USS|Voyager}}'s EMH, The Doctor was given the ability to self deactivate by issuing [[computer]] command "Override Command 1-EMH-Alpha; End Program". ({{VOY|Jetrel}}) Though seemingly unrelated, this was a standard feature for the EMH Mark II. ({{VOY|Message in a Bottle}})
[[Holodeck]]s used [[omnidirectional holographic diode]]s. A sickbay was fitted with a system of OHDs that projected an image of the EMH. Each projected a complete image. Visible portions changed as the [[hologram]] moved, creating an illusion of fluid motion.
 
   
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{{Emergency holographic programs}}
[[Magnetic containment field]]s allowed the EMH to interact with physical objects. These [[force field]]s moved as the EMH moved to create the appearance of solid matter. The containment fields could be shut off, allowing objects and people to pass through them &ndash; an EMH's cohesion could range from solid to intangible. ({{VOY|Phage}})
 
*When OHDs and magnetic field generators were added to other parts of a ship, they allowed the hologram to leave sickbay (as in more advanced Starfleet ships or modified configurations). Without these additional projectors, the EMH could only function in sickbay and the holodeck.
 
   
 
==Appendices==
USS Voyager also discovered the [[29th century]] [[mobile emitter]] technology which, when attached to the EMH and its program transferred to emitter, would allow EMH to roam freely on board ship, shuttles or even planetary surfaces. This allowed the EMH to act as a medical aid during away missions. However, damage to the emitter posed a risk of damage or even deletion of the EMH.
 
 
===See also ===
 
* "[[I'm a doctor, not a...]]" quotes:
 
** [[I'm a doctor, not a...#The Doctor|Standard form quotes]] from ''Voyager''{{'}}s EMH, [[The Doctor]]
 
*** [[I'm a doctor, not a...#Voyager|Variants]] from The Doctor
 
** [[I'm a doctor, not a...#Starfleet EMHs|Standard form quotes]] from other Starfleet EMHs
 
* [[Jupiter Station Diagnostic Program Alpha-11]]
 
* [[Long-term Medical Holographic program]]
   
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===Appearances===
The [[universal translator]] algorithm was written into the EMH's matrix. ({{VOY|Gravity}})
 
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<div class="appear">
 
* {{DS9|Doctor Bashir, I Presume}}
 
* {{VOY}}
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** Every episode except:
 
*** {{e|Prime Factors}}
 
*** {{e|Non Sequitur}}
 
*** {{e|Resistance}}
 
*** {{e|Day of Honor}}
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* {{film|8}}
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* {{PIC}}
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** {{e|The End is the Beginning}}
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** {{e|Stardust City Rag}}
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** {{e|Nepenthe}}
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** {{e|Broken Pieces}}
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* {{DIS}}
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** {{e|Die Trying}}
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** {{e|There Is A Tide...}}
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</div>
   
  +
===Apocrypha===
When he was first activated, the ''Voyager'' EMH apparently did not have the ability to deactivate himself after he finished his duties. However, he was later given that ability by issuing [[computer]] command "Override Command 1-EMH-Alpha; End Program". ({{VOY|Jetrel}})
 
  +
Despite Doctor Crusher's distaste for the EMH, she was forced to activate the EMH of the ''Enterprise''-E during the events of ''[[The Q Continuum]]'' trilogy, when the ''Enterprise'' was attacked by the [[Calamarain]] during a mission to the [[Galactic barrier]].
   
  +
In the ''[[Star Trek: Prometheus]]'' trilogy, it is revealed that, even after the upgrade to the Mark III and Mark IV EMH, the ''Prometheus'' has retained the Mark II, even giving him the nickname 'Tre' for his habit of carrying around a tricorder when he can make such diagnostics on his own.
== Appendices ==
 
=== See also ===
 
*[[Long-term Medical Holographic program]]
 
*[[Emergency Command Hologram]]
 
*[[Jupiter Station Diagnostic Program Alpha-11]]
 
*[[I'm a doctor, not a...|"I'm a doctor, not a..."]] quotes:
 
**[[I'm a doctor, not a...#The Doctor|Standard form quotes]] from ''Voyager''{{'}}s EMH, [[The Doctor]]
 
**[[I'm a doctor, not a...#Voyager|Variants]] from The Doctor
 
**[[I'm a doctor, not a...#Starfleet EMHs|Standard form quotes]] from other Starfleet EMHs
 
   
  +
In ''[[Star Trek Online]]''{{'}}s Federation tutorial, players encounter a new version of the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH Mark VI) serving aboard the USS ''Khitomer''. Resembling a [[Vulcan]] with silver hair, this EMH, in dialogue released on [[YouTube]] but not included in game, claims to have a "personality matrix [that] combines qualities of more than twenty physicians, scientists, and [[counselor]]s &ndash; including [[Admiral]] [[Beverly Crusher]] of [[Starfleet Medical]], [[Ambassador]] [[Spock]], and [[Ghee P'Trell]] of [[Andoria]]." He is voiced by [[Zachary Quinto]]. {{STO|Khitomer Emergency Medical Hologram|}} Also in ''Star Trek Online'', Emergency Medical Holograms, alongside the new Emergency Engineering Holograms and Emergency Security Holograms, can be acquired as Duty Officers. {{STO|Emergency Engineering Hologram|}}
=== References ===
 
  +
*All episodes of ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' except:
 
  +
===External link===
**{{e|Prime Factors}}
 
 
*{{mbeta|Emergency Medical Hologram}}
**{{e|Non Sequitur}}
 
**{{e|Resistance}}
 
**{{e|Day of Honor}}
 
*{{DS9|Doctor Bashir, I Presume}}
 
*{{film|8}}
 
   
 
[[cs:Pohotovostní zdravotnický holoprogram]]
 
[[cs:Pohotovostní zdravotnický holoprogram]]
 
[[de:Medizinisch-Holographisches Notfallprogramm]]
 
[[de:Medizinisch-Holographisches Notfallprogramm]]
 
[[es:Holograma médico de emergencia]]
 
[[es:Holograma médico de emergencia]]
  +
[[fr:Programme Holographique Médical d'Urgence]]
 
[[ja:緊急用医療ホログラム]]
 
[[ja:緊急用医療ホログラム]]
[[nl:Emergency Medical Hologram]]
+
[[nl:Medisch holografisch noodprogramma]]
 
[[sv:EMH]]
 
[[sv:EMH]]
  +
[[Category:Holograms]]
 
[[Category:Starfleet sciences personnel| 3]]
+
[[Category:Holographic programs]]
[[Category:Medical practitioners| ]]
+
[[Category:Medical occupations]]
[[Category:Medical equipment| ]]
+
[[Category:Medical equipment]]
[[Category:Computer technology]]
 

Latest revision as of 02:10, 4 December 2023

The Doctor, 2378

The Doctor of the USS Voyager, a noted EMH program

EMH subroutines

Subroutines composing an EMH holomatrix

For individual Emergency Medical Holograms, please see Emergency Medical Holographic programs.
– Emergency Medical Hologram, Mark I, 2371 ("Eye of the Needle")

The Emergency Medical Holographic program or Emergency Medical Holographic system, also known as the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH), Emergency Holographic Doctor, or Emergency Medical program, was an adaptive holoprogram developed during the 2360s by Starfleet and used on a number of Federation starships during the late 24th century.

It was designed to provide short-term advanced assistance during emergencies in sickbay to the extent of literally replacing a starship's medical officer. (DS9: "Doctor Bashir, I Presume") By 2377, there had been four versions of the EMH, designated Mark I thru IV. (VOY: "Life Line")

History

Premise

One of the earliest known concepts for a "holographic doctor" was first considered, if not rhetorically, by Enterprise NX-01 Commander Trip Tucker. In 2151, Tucker argued to Ezral – a Kantare engineer who had programmed several holograms of his former crew on behalf of keeping his daughter, Liana, company – that, with regards of her welfare, "What if she gets hurt? What do you do then? Program a holographic doctor?" Ezral, nevertheless, responded simply that "we've survived here successfully" without one. (ENT: "Oasis")

Over a century later, while testing the ill-fated M-5 multitronic unit aboard the USS Enterprise, Spock lamented to Dr. Leonard McCoy that, "the most unfortunate lack in current computer programming is that there is nothing available to immediately replace the starship surgeon." McCoy retorted that, "if it could, they wouldn't have to replace me. I'd resign because everybody else aboard would be nothing but circuits and memory banks."

Later, following the demise of the M-5, McCoy observed that "compassion [was] the one thing no machine ever had. Maybe it's the one thing that keeps men ahead of them." Nevertheless, Spock still commented on the idea that, if using McCoy's memory engrams as a template for the technology used in creating the M-5, "the resulting torrential flood of illogic would be most entertaining." (TOS: "The Ultimate Computer")

By the mid-24th century, however, sufficient advancements in the field led Starfleet to commission the holo-engineer, Dr. Lewis Zimmerman, to begin work at the Jupiter Station Holoprogramming Center on the new EMH program. One of the EMH's predecessors was the hologram Haley, first activated in 2368. (VOY: "Projections", "Lifesigns")

EMH Mark I

Specifications

"You weren't programmed to care. You were programmed to hold a scalpel."

The Emergency Medical Holographic program (EMH) was formally known as an "EMH Program AK-1 Diagnostic and Surgical Subroutine Omega-323", though Zimmerman wanted to call his creation the "Holo-Doc", but Starfleet Command made the request to name the hologram "Emergency Medical Hologram" instead. (VOY: "Projections" ) The persona was not, however, given a formal name. (VOY: "Lifesigns")

The bit of information from "Projections" was seen on a small viewscreen okudagram detailing Zimmerman's life and work history.

The design work began around the 2360s, where it took the greatest holo-engineers in Starfleet years to develop the EMH. Among those eventually involved included Reginald Barclay. (VOY: "Message in a Bottle", "Projections", "Life Line") Following its creation, thousands of holograms based on that technology were created for various functions. (VOY: "Life Line")

The EMH was designed as "an incredibly sophisticated computer simulation," and "the embodiment of modern medicine." (VOY: "Lifesigns", "Parallax") The EMH program specifications, which were at the time considered quite "impressive", included the entire Starfleet Medical Database. In all, it contained over five million medical protocols – ranging from possible treatments to surgical procedures (including one developed by Dr. Leonard McCoy), the collective medical knowledge of over three thousand cultures (including every Federation world), it further possessed information from two thousand medical reference sources (including Gray's Anatomy and Comparative Alien Physiology), and the experience of 47 individual medical officers. (VOY: "Parallax", "Ex Post Facto", "Lifesigns", "Meld", "Message in a Bottle", "Relativity", "Virtuoso", "Critical Care") Above all, the EMH was programmed with the Hippocratic Oath, that was, an EMH was required that it "do no harm." (VOY: "Darkling", "Bliss", "Critical Care"; PIC: "Broken Pieces")

The universal translator algorithm was written into the EMH's matrix. (VOY: "Gravity")

It was designed and programmed solely as a short-term emergency supplement to the medical team otherwise found aboard a starship, until a permanent replacement could be found, and therefore, was only meant to function for a maximum of 1,500 hours (62.5 days); after this time, memory degradation would occur. (VOY: "Caretaker", "The Swarm")

EMH memory core files missing

A diagram of The Doctor's memory files

The EMH was also supplemented with contingency programs and adaptive programs to learn while serving as a supplement of a normal medical staff in cases of emergency. (VOY: "Ex Post Facto") It contained fifty million gigaquads of computer memory, which was "considerably more than most highly developed humanoid brains." (VOY: "Life Line") Memory files were stored in the EMH memory core, where memories concerning a specific subject or period of time could be deleted. (VOY: "Latent Image") Additionally, while not designed to act as ship's counselor, the EMH had been programmed with sufficient psychological knowledge to note observational concerns. (VOY: "Darkling")

Beginning around 2370, the entirely new EMH system began to see installation aboard newly launched Intrepid-class and Nova-class starships. (VOY: "Equinox", "Relativity") By 2371, Starfleet was still being considered for installation throughout the rest of the fleet. (VOY: "Relativity") In all, 678 Mark Is were created. (VOY: "Life Line")

Starfleet later requested that Dr. Zimmerman design an EMH supplement, designed to operate as a full-time doctor in any posting where life support or living space was at a premium and the primary mission did not require the doctor to leave sickbay. As a result, the research and design for the Long-term Medical Holographic program (LMH) was begun in mid-2373. While Deep Space 9 did not have an EMH installed initially, as it was incompatible with the station's Cardassian technology, one was later installed that year as a way to transfer its data into the LMH. (DS9: "Doctor Bashir, I Presume")

Design flaws

"Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes. You're the Mark I EMH. The inferior program."
"Inferior?"
"Beady eyes, terrible bedside manner. I recognize you."

Dr. Zimmerman, proud of his achievement, decided to program the EMH with both his physical, and most notably, psychological characteristics. (VOY: "Life Line")

Although later deemed to be a design flaw, the EMH had a rather acerbic personality, due primarily to the fact that it was "designed to practice medicine as efficiently as possible," enhancements, such as carrying on small talk or knowledge of "pithy Earth trivia" was viewed by its programmers as means of cluttering up its memory and compromising its performance. (VOY: "Persistence of Vision", "The Swarm", "Future's End, Part II", "Relativity") Some biological Starfleet doctors even went so far as to object to the use of the EMH. Doctor Beverly Crusher swore that she would never use one, although she was forced to do so in order to create a distraction while the Borg tried to assimilate the USS Enterprise-E, allowing her, her medical staff, and her patients, notably Lily Sloane, to escape from sickbay. (Star Trek: First Contact)

Eventually, it was concluded that the EMH Mark I was defective and they were retired from the Medical Corps. One key factor being that Dr. Zimmerman did not take into account that his own personality, given as that of the EMH, resulted in a poor bedside manner for a medical doctor. The resulting hologram was arrogant and irritable, and as a result was poorly received by many Starfleet doctors. This, in turn, spawned nicknames like "Emergency Medical Hotheads" and "Extremely Marginal Housecalls." According to Zimmerman he tried to save face and have them decommissioned, but "Starfleet, in its infinite wisdom, overruled me and reassigned them all to work waste transfer barges." (VOY: "Life Line") Later, the Mark Is were also deployed in other menial tasks, like dilithium mining. (VOY: "Author, Author")

EMH Mark Is mining dilithium

Several EMH Mark Is mining dilithium

By 2378, the Mark I programs were reconfigured to work at a Federation mining colony in replacement of other forms of labor. These programs, having been reassigned to their new function, were able to obtain bootlegged copies of the holonovel Photons Be Free and view them. One of the EMH miners found the holonovel "provocative". (VOY: "Author, Author")

The fact that the reconfigured Mark Is could view holonovels suggests that they retained at least some level of sentience left over from their original medical programming.

Notable extended service

The most notable EMH in Zimmerman's series was the Mark I installed aboard the USS Voyager, known simply as The Doctor. The Doctor, who ran almost continuously for eight years, far exceeded the abilities of his original programming, and was forced to expand his programming extensively to keep up. This EMH originally objected to being the replacement for the entire medical staff, and after having had surpassed its expiration date, its life was fortunately extended with the help of his colleagues, and his program was altered to overcome this shortcoming. (VOY: "The Swarm")

After the EMH Mark II supplanted the "inferior" Mark I, the only remaining versions to fulfill their original programming were aboard the USS Voyager and the USS Equinox, which were both stranded in the Delta Quadrant and had to implement the emergency holograms for extended periods of time. However, a notable caveat was that the crew of the Equinox deleted their EMH's ethical subroutines in order to allow him to act contrary to the Hippocratic Oath. In 2376, the Equinox EMH was deleted while in Voyager's database, leaving Voyager's Doctor as the only known remaining Mark I still operating as an EMH. (VOY: "Equinox", "Equinox, Part II")

Voyager's EMH developed a distinct personality over the ship's seven-year-long journey to the Alpha Quadrant. Despite this, The Doctor was not granted the rights of a living person by a Federation Arbiter, although he did determine that The Doctor fulfilled the requirements of an artist under the law. The Arbiter did, however, encourage The Doctor to pursue recognition as a sentient being at a later point in time. (VOY: "Author, Author")

An ability unique to The Doctor, Voyager's EMH was able to leave sickbay or the holodeck and to roam freely with the help of a mobile emitter (originating from 29th century technology). (VOY: "Future's End, Part II") Voyager's EMH was even given the responsibility of commanding the ship as the Emergency Command Hologram (ECH) if the ship's commanding officers were not present, incapacitated, or dead. (VOY: "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy", "Workforce", "Workforce, Part II", "Renaissance Man")

EMH Mark II

EMH Mark II

A second generation EMH

To address the flaws in the EMH Mark I, Dr. Zimmerman began work on the Mark II, a prototype of which was finished in time to be included in the sickbay of the USS Prometheus in 2374.

While the Mark I's outward appearance was a copy of its inventor, a disillusioned Dr. Zimmerman changed the outward appearance of the Mark II. Furthermore, the patterns of behavior of the following versions were designed to be more pleasant and courteous. To achieve this, Zimmerman initially tried to improve on the programming of the Mark I, but eventually decided to create the Mark II from scratch. In addition to that, new ship designs like the USS Prometheus enabled full mobility for the EMH, as the whole ship was outfitted with holographic projectors.

When The Doctor was sent in a holographic data stream to contact the USS Prometheus, he found the starship in the hands of Romulans, who had killed the Starfleet crew and captured the ship. The Doctor activated the ship's EMH, a Mark II, to help him recapture the ship, although the Mark II initially preferred to just deactivate and wait for rescue, and then treated The Doctor as inferior despite the latter's vastly superior life experiences. The Doctor ultimately persuaded the Mark II to take action and help him. They planned to disable the Romulans by venting an anesthetic gas, but The Doctor was captured by the Romulans when he attempted to reach the environmental controls on the bridge. During The Doctor's interrogation, the Mark II simulated a bio-hazard, opening the vents which released the gas, knocking out the Romulans. The Doctor and the Mark II successfully fought off Romulan warbirds using the ship's experimental weapons systems, returned the ship into Starfleet's hands, and informed Starfleet that Voyager was in the Delta Quadrant. (VOY: "Message in a Bottle")

By 2377, the Mark II had been replaced by a Mark III, followed by a Mark IV. (VOY: "Life Line")

Neither the Mark III nor Mark IV programs were shown on-screen, nor was it revealed what happened to the Mark II.

Late century design

By late century, EMH programs, as well as variations on the "emergency" theme, were all incorporated into the customizable Emergency Hologram basic installation, which was available for civilian use. Such packages were available onboard Kaplan F17 Speed Freighters. (PIC: "Absolute Candor", "The Impossible Box")

32nd century design

Eli (EMH)

Eli, an EMH

EMH programs continued to be used by the Federation and Starfleet. One, known as Eli, served as medical officer under Admiral Charles Vance at Federation Headquarters in 3189.(DIS: "Die Trying", "There Is A Tide...")

Mechanics

The EMH was a holographic simulation of a Human, but with no internal organs beneath the apparent surface to conserve computer power. EMHs were not equipped with reproductive organs. The Doctor, however, wrote additional routines into his holomatrix to facilitate romantic endeavors and has also had several relationships, one of which inexplicably resulted in a son. (VOY: "Message in a Bottle", "Blink of an Eye")

The containment fields could be shut off, allowing objects and people to pass through them – an EMH's cohesion could range from solid to intangible. (VOY: "Phage")

The EMH's imaging system and tactile acuity subroutines allowed him to perform, "and in many cases improve upon, the most delicate tactile maneuvers required by a dizzying array of surgical procedures." (VOY: "Lifesigns")

When he was first activated, the Mark I EMH did not have the ability to deactivate himself after he finished his duties. (VOY: "Eye of the Needle") Auto-initiation of the EMH program could be achieved when a ship-wide red alert was initiated. (VOY: "Projections")

Written as a supplement to USS Voyager's EMH, The Doctor was given the ability to self deactivate by issuing computer command "Override Command 1-EMH-Alpha; End Program". (VOY: "Jetrel") Though seemingly unrelated, this was a standard feature for the EMH Mark II. (VOY: "Message in a Bottle")

Appendices

See also

Appearances

Apocrypha

Despite Doctor Crusher's distaste for the EMH, she was forced to activate the EMH of the Enterprise-E during the events of The Q Continuum trilogy, when the Enterprise was attacked by the Calamarain during a mission to the Galactic barrier.

In the Star Trek: Prometheus trilogy, it is revealed that, even after the upgrade to the Mark III and Mark IV EMH, the Prometheus has retained the Mark II, even giving him the nickname 'Tre' for his habit of carrying around a tricorder when he can make such diagnostics on his own.

In Star Trek Online's Federation tutorial, players encounter a new version of the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH Mark VI) serving aboard the USS Khitomer. Resembling a Vulcan with silver hair, this EMH, in dialogue released on YouTube but not included in game, claims to have a "personality matrix [that] combines qualities of more than twenty physicians, scientists, and counselors – including Admiral Beverly Crusher of Starfleet Medical, Ambassador Spock, and Ghee P'Trell of Andoria." He is voiced by Zachary Quinto. [1] Also in Star Trek Online, Emergency Medical Holograms, alongside the new Emergency Engineering Holograms and Emergency Security Holograms, can be acquired as Duty Officers. [2]

External link