EM Match Advice Series: The Non-LCME Applicant
Yesterday the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) opened its digital doors to medical students applying to ACGME residency programs. So we thought it was a perfect time to host another EM Match Advice Series installment. This time, we focus on the challenges that the non-LCME applicant encounters throughout the ACGME application process. These applicants include: Students from osteopathic medical schools Students from non-U.S. medical schools Applicants who have been in the military service and are returning for residency training Residents who want to transfer in from another specialty training program. [+]
Hip Fractures in Older Adults: An Important Source of Morbidity
Hip fractures are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. The average age for hip fractures in the U.S. is 80 years, and a staggering 20% of women and 10% of men 1 will experience a hip fracture in their lifetime if they live to older age. This makes it a costly injury, racking up close to $15 billion per year in the U.S. alone. 2 Some hip fractures are obvious as soon as the patient rolls through the ambulance bay. Others can be subtle and require more than just a plain X-ray. This post will discuss [+]
I am Dr. Dara Kass, Director of Undergraduate Medical Education, NYU/Bellevue: How I Work Smarter
We are continuing our series with Dr. Dara Kass (@darakass). In addition to being director of Undergraduate Medical Education at NYU/Bellevue in New York City, Dr. Kass has recently unveiled a new initiative: FemInEM. Along with Dr. Jenny Beck-Esmay (@jbeckesmay) and several superstar section editors, Dr. Kass has debuted a site focused on professional development for women in Emergency Medicine. But FemInEM is more than just a blog: it seeks to bring open access principles to the traditional model of membership based professional women’s networks like Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM) and American Association of Women Emergency Physicians (AAWEP). FemInEM will [+]
Trick of the Trade: Large volume paracentesis technique using gravity
Recall the last time you were sitting in a room doing a large-volume, therapeutic paracentesis in the ED. Were you stressing out because your other patients were still being actively managed? Large-volume paracentesis is a common and important part of our practice, but often requires your dedicated time at the bedside. Additionally, what do you do if you do not have the fancy paracentesis kit or vacuum collection bottles? [+]
60-Second Soapbox: Abernethy (Pain Medications), Bellew (Posttest Probability), Bouthillet (Wide Complex Tachycardia)
Welcome to the second bolus of 60-Second Soapbox! Each episode, one lucky individual gets exactly 1 whole minute to present their rant-of-choice to the world. Any topic is on the table – clinical, academic, economic, or whatever else may interest an EM-centric audience. We carefully remix your audio to add an extra splash of drama and excitement. Even more exciting, participants get to challenge 3 of their peers to stand on a soapbox of their own! [+]
AIR Series: Cardiology Module, Part 1 (2015)
There is a phenomenal amount of cardiology content in the FOAMsphere. Accordingly, the CORD testing schedule and our cardiology module has been divided into two parts – Part 1 (ACS) and Part 2 (CHF, Vascular Dissection, and Other). Below we have listed our selection of the 14 highest quality blog posts within the past 12 months (as of July 2015) related to acute coronary syndromes, curated and approved for residency training by the AIR Series Board. In this module we have 6 AIRs and 8 Honorable Mentions. We strive for comprehensiveness by selecting from a broad spectrum of blogs from the top 50 listing [+]
I am Dr. James Huffman, STARS Airway Course Director, Transport Physician, and Clinical Educator: How I Stay Healthy in EM
Dr. James Huffman (@jameslhuffman) knows how to keep well and keep it real! Despite multiple work commitments, he still finds time to engage in his interests, keep fit, stay well, and spend time with his family and friends. With a recent new addition to his family, Dr. Huffman has learned how to maximize his time. Constantly trying to find new ways to be effective, Dr. Huffman is a true example of how wellness can be integrated into your day. Here’s how he stays healthy in EM! [+]
ALiEM Bookclub: Beyond the ED – Recommendations by Dr. Lewis Goldfrank
In the way that we can be inspired and changed by the actions of others, we can be inspired and changed by the books we read. In this series, ALiEM Bookclub: Beyond the ED, we hope to introduce you to a selection of books as seen through our guests’ eyes. Our first guest is Dr. Lewis Goldfrank, Chair of Emergency Medicine at NYU – Bellevue. He is well known as one of the founders of both Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology. In addition to his accomplishments within Emergency Medicine, for many he is best known as the spiritual leader of the [+]
Diagnose on Sight: Recurrent Rash
Case: A 22 year old female presents with a rash on her left arm for several days. She states she has previously had the exact same rash in the exact same location intermittently over the past 2 years. She has no systemic symptoms and has started no new prescription medications, though she has been taking ibuprofen. What is the diagnosis? [+]
PEM Pearls: Migraine Treatment for Pediatric EM Patients
You are working your evening shift at the pediatrics emergency department, and you walk into a darkened patient room with a distressed mother and her otherwise healthy 10-year old son who is curled in a ball, holding his head and crying. Her mother tells you that the around-the-clock ibuprofen has barely touched his 2-day headache. After determining that your patient has no neurologic deficits and that this is most likely a primary headache, what can you do to break his symptoms? [+]