ALiEM Annual Report 2018: Making a Difference Through Teamwork
As 2018 draws to a close, we are continually inspired and impressed by the collective online movement to advance health professions education. The ALiEM organization has grown over the years to realize that this can only be done in a sustainable fashion through collaborative, virtually-based teams. This 2018 ALiEM Annual Report highlights what is possible when you have nimble, innovative, passionately focused team members tackling a common problem. We have discovered that you usually do not need large hierarchical, permission-based team structures, but rather the opposite. We are excited to share what we have in store for 2019! [+]
HOT OFF THE PRESS | Free ALiEM MEdIC Series Book, Volume 4
It has been more than 5 years since we launched the ALiEM Medical Education in Cases (MEdIC) Series, and we are very proud to have had 5 years of excellent engagement and participation from the FOAM audience with our interactive monthly discussions. This past year we’ve become a bit backlogged in our work… So although the MEdIC series is complete through to the 5-year mark, we still owe the world a few free e-books. We are thrilled to announce that a compilation of the fourth MEdIC season (last year’s cases) is available for free download. [+]
SAEM Research Learning Series: Trying to Avoid and Handling Grant Rejection
In this podcast episode of the SAEM Research Learning Series, Drs. Mary and Nate Haas interview Dr. Rob Ehrman, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Wayne State School of Medicine. Dr. Ehrman is a prolific researcher on the effects of sepsis on cardiac function. Take a listen to this 18-minute podcast filled with practical tips on trying to avoid and handling a research grant rejection. [+]
2018 ACEP Clinical Policy for Patients with Suspected Non-ST Elevation ACS
A patient presents to your ED with an all too common complaint – chest pain. After a focused history and physical exam, you have an extremely low clinical suspicion for thoracic aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pericarditis/myocarditis, and Boerhaave’s syndrome. When the labs (including a troponin), an ECG, and chest x-ray yield normal results, questions often arise. Can you discharge her with a single troponin if she is low risk? How do you define low risk? And lastly, does she need urgent provocative testing after discharge? [+]
I am Dr. Christine Kulstad, Co-Clerkship Director: How I Stay Healthy in EM
Dr. Christine Kulstad is an emergency physician and Emergency Medicine Co-Clerkship Director at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. She maintains a sense of balance by keeping fit, eating right, and making time for her family and friends. Her advice on staying focused is something we could all try. Here’s how she stays healthy in EM! [+]
IDEA Series Highlights JETem Innovations: A Low Cost Trainer for Neonatal Umbilical Catheterization
The Problem Although umbilical catheterization can be a lifesaving technique in the emergent management of a critically ill neonate, it is performed infrequently in the ED.1 Simulation has emerged as a key teaching modality for residents to gain both proficiency and competency with this important procedure.2,3 Commercially available umbilical catheterization models are available, but costly, and often require an expensive investment (over $1,000 for a single trainer).4 This expense may discourage residency programs from acquiring the trainer and offering it to learners. In an effort to minimize this barrier to learning, a team from Kings County Hospital “home built” their own umbilical [+]
Accidental Hypothermia and Cardiac Arrest: Physiology, Protocol Deviations, and ECMO
Accidental hypothermia is a life threatening condition that can lead to a challenging resuscitation. The very young, old, and intoxicated patient are at high risk to developing hypothermia, even in temperate climates. The pathophysiologic changes from hypothermia make the standard ACLS approach insufficient to care for the hypothermic patient. This article will discuss the physiology of hypothermia and how you should alter your approach in the hypothermic patient, including early consideration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). [+]
Teaming Tips Case 3: Ineffective Meetings | ALiEM Faculty Incubator
Many of you are asked to take a leadership role within your department: managing a research team, joining your administration, or spearheading a clinical effort. It is easy to feel unprepared for these roles, and there are many pitfalls waiting to sabotage your team’s productivity. The ALiEM Faculty Incubator has created a series of 10 case-based teaming problems to provide you with evidence-based advice and solutions for tackling some of the more common problems encountered in our professional team experiences. [+]
Submit an abstract to give a national talk: Resident Wellness Innovation Plenary Session
On behalf of the ALiEM Wellness Think Tank (WTT), we are thrilled to announce our partnership again with Essentials of Emergency Medicine (EEM). On May 13, 2019 during the WTT Resident Wellness Day (an EEM preday event featuring acclaimed author Dr. James Dahle of White Coat Investor fame), we also will launch the first-ever Wellness Innovation Plenary Session focusing on residency-level initiatives. This is your chance, as a resident, to give an oral presentation at a national conference. Deadline: January 7, 2019. [+]
Sign up for the Wellness Think Tank newsletter
Many residencies and departments in medicine have started or are thinking about starting local wellness newsletters and handouts. In an effort to help reduce redundancy and facilitate more global information-sharing , the resident-driven ALiEM Wellness Think Tank has decided to launch our own email-based newsletter series. Periodically, we will send out a short article discussing personal wellness, tips for maintaining wellness in your professional life, and ideas to promote wellness within a residency program. Sign up below, and feel free to share with your colleagues. If you have ideas and suggestions for content, please feel free to contact us. [+]