Wellness and Resiliency During Residency: Life happens despite your best plans
When I got back home from taking [my board exams], having all these [negative] feelings swirling through my head, I remember driving up and seeing my wife and baby sitting on the porch and suddenly being like, “Isn’t this what life is all about? Is it really about studying for an exam? Is it really about pushing yourself to get triple-boarded or do this or that within medicine? I mean, isn’t THIS what it’s about? Having a wife and a child, a family to call your own, aren’t these the things that are most important that we should value?” After [+]
I am Dr. Heather Farley, Director of Provider Wellbeing: How I Stay Healthy in EM
Dr. Heather Farley is an emergency physician from Newark, DE. She has the unique position of being the Director of Provider Wellbeing at the Institute for Learning Leadership and Development (iLEAD). Dr. Farley is definitely a champion of wellness. From staying active, to eating healthy, and ensuring she makes time for herself, she definitely makes wellness a priority. Her attitude of trying new things and always challenging herself, is something we should all try! Here’s how she stays healthy in EM! [+]
MEdIC Series: The Case of the Resident at Risk – Expert Review and Curated Commentary
The Case of the Resident at Risk outlined a scenario of junior resident who is unsure of how to proceed when her senior discloses thoughts of suicide while on shift. This month, the MEdIC team (Tamara McColl, Teresa Chan, Sarah Luckett-Gatopoulos, Eve Purdy, John Eicken, Alkarim Velji and Brent Thoma), hosted a discussion around this case with insights from the ALiEM community. We are proud to present to you the Curated Community Commentary and our 3 expert opinions. Thank-you to all participants for contributing to the very rich and very important discussions surrounding this case! [+]
Epistaxis Management in the Emergency Department: A Helpful Mnemonic
Epistaxis is a common presentation to the emergency department (ED)1 that can be challenging and time consuming. Knowledge of the pearls, pitfalls, and troubleshooting tips around managing nosebleeds often can be the difference between a frustrating versus straightforward ED stay for patients. Use the EPISTAXIS mnemonic to help you remember these points. [+]
Winner of EEM Education Fellowship Contest: Dr. Moises Gallegos
After receiving numerous high-quality submissions, we are proud to announce the winner of the 2017 Essentials of Emergency Medicine (EEM) Education Fellowship Contest as Dr. Moises Gallegos from the Baylor Emergency Medicine residency program. His winning blog post is featured today on the pearls and pitfalls of epistaxis management. We look forward to seeing him in person in Las Vegas in May 2017 at the 3-day event as well as the Resident Wellness Consensus Summit preday. [+]
Trick of the Trade: Rapid Insertion of Orogastric Tube
We have all been in the situation: an intubated patient needs an orogastric (OG) tube and no one has been able to place it successfully. Unfortunately, we typically find out about this situation after several failed attempts, when the patient is bleeding and/or the anatomy is distorted. It may coil in the mouth or esophagus. Here I present a novel technique to rapidly place an OG tube within seconds. [+]
I am Dr. James Willis, Associate Residency Director: How I Stay Healthy in EM
Dr. James Willis is an emergency physician practicing in Brooklyn, NY. Being the Associate Residency Director, he enjoys diving into the educational aspect of his portfolio, while keeping up with his clinical work. For Dr. Willis, maintaining balance is key. So when he’s not working, he’s enjoying time with is family and playing with his son. Here’s how he stays healthy in EM! [+]
Program Evaluation: What is it, and what are key considerations?
Recently the ALiEM Faculty Incubator had a dynamic discussion about Program Evaluation. This Google Hangout featured Dr. George Mejicano, Dr. Chad Kessler, and Dr. Megan Osborn, facilitated by Dr. Lalena Yarris. Listen to the podcast version of their conversation as they take a deep-dive into program evaluation and learner assessments. We also provide a text-based synopsis of the discussion. [+]
Aaron Brown, MD, FACEP
Curriculum Director, [+]
Ultrasound For The Win! – 46M with Diffuse Abdominal Pain #US4TW
Welcome to another ultrasound-based case, part of the “Ultrasound For The Win!” (#US4TW) Case Series. In this case series, we focus on a real clinical case where point-of-care ultrasound changed the management of a patient’s care or aided in the diagnosis. In this case, a 46-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse presents with diffuse abdominal pain. [+]
PEM Pearls: Calming techniques while repairing a laceration
Most children who come into the Emergency Department present with pain or experience pain during their ED stay.1,2,3 Pain and distress during a procedure can leave a lasting impact on a child and contribute to mistrust of the medical system and compliance with future procedures.1 ,4,5 Children who use active forms of coping report less pain and distress during a procedure.3 To help with coping, when feasible, involve parents or family, nursing and a child life specialist. If the parents are willing, try to get them involved in all parts of the medical procedure.2,3 This includes positioning the patient with a parent in [+]