SimWars: A “warring tigers” competition

SimWars

You’ve seen this word on the agenda at the most recent Emergency Medicine conference that you attended. It sounded interesting… but you ended up going to a happy hour and missed out on the event. And so you are left with the burning question, what is SimWars?

I have now heard Dr. Haru Okuda (Director of VA SIMLEARN) introduce SimWars a few times at the start of competitions at conferences. He usually has a photo of two cute little kittens with great big sweet eyes juxtaposed with a photo of two warring tigers fighting each other. He uses this comedic relief to illustrate the difference between a standard simulation session and SimWars competition.

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By |2017-03-05T14:18:34-08:00Jan 11, 2013|Medical Education, Simulation|

New Years Resolution: More teachable moments please

 

From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mercyhealth/7142786853/in/set-72157629601050726/

“The worst thing about busy shifts is that I never learn anything.”
– anonymous resident

A junior resident and I were contemplating the many difficulties of residency, especially when working at a busy urban ED where patients are plenty, but teaching during shifts may be harder to come by. We discussed the importance of coming up with at least one learning point or clinical question during each shift, and making a point of following through and reading up on it after.  (That shift we both learned about fat emboli s/p extremity fracture.)

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By |2016-11-16T09:37:57-08:00Jan 4, 2013|Medical Education|

MIA 2012: Samuels-Kalow ME et al. Effective discharge communication in the emergency department. Ann Emerg Med. 2012 Aug;60(2):152-9

Screen Shot 2013-05-26 at 9.40.57 PMBottom Line 1

This study tells us what we might already suspect: in the busy, hectic and loud Emergency Department, patients we discharge often lack comprehension of their hospital course. Additionally, they are frequently unable to report their diagnosis, a discharge plan or reasons they should return to the ED.

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By |2016-11-11T18:37:29-08:00Jan 1, 2013|Medical Education|

Most Interesting Articles of 2012

Screen Shot 2013-06-11 at 12.11.31 AMThe following compilation of the Most Interesting Articles in 2012 is the work of the EM residents at the Jacobi/Montefiore Emergency Medicine Residency Program.

INTRODUCTION

Standing at the intersection of patient care and academics, we Emergency Medicine residents have overwhelming expectations. We’re the ones dropping NG tubes, popping abscesses, and pushing stretchers, while also expected to remain up to date with current research and trends in our field. With all these lofty expectations, not to mention the ever-present requirement of sleep and caloric intake, how does a resident pick which papers to read in this sea of literature?

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By |2018-10-28T21:34:55-07:00Jan 1, 2013|Medical Education|

Physical exams: A relic of the past?

Why do most of us dread patients who complain of dizziness in the ED? Because it is so vague, and the differential is so broad from elusive posterior cerebellar strokes to ear wax clogging up our ear canals. And this is one of those diagnoses where the differential really depends upon performing a thorough physical examination. 

Think really hard, when is the last time you focused upon getting a complete and accurate physical examination? In medical school, there are courses dedicated to the art. I always laugh when I think of my neurology attending who just loved to bang on different parts of the body with his reflex hammer to elicit cool reflexes.

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By |2016-11-11T18:42:30-08:00Dec 21, 2012|Medical Education|

To debrief or not?

StopwatchLearners have limited time. Residents have work hours restrictions, practicing physicians have work / life demands, and the list goes on. Time is valuable. Therefore, educational interventions must be hard-hitting, effective, and worthwhile.

We discussed previously “What is debriefing?” Debriefing is a facilitated discussion and reflection about objectives previously chosen by the educator. Dr. Ernest Wang (NorthShore Center for Simulation and Innovation) states that it’s about getting learners to that “aha!” moment.

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By |2016-11-11T18:42:32-08:00Dec 14, 2012|Medical Education|

Teaching internationally: More than just a language barrier

JoshiUltrasound1I recently traveled to San Salvador to help teach a pediatric and adult ultrasound course. The course was well received and it was wonderful traveling around San Salvador.

I wanted to share some of our experiences, and discuss some challenges to educating internationally. More importantly, I want to engage you, the readers to share some of your experiences when educating internationally as well.

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By |2016-11-11T18:43:05-08:00Dec 7, 2012|Medical Education, Ultrasound|
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