Perspectives on Program Evaluation: Interview with Drs. Megan Boysen-Osborn, Dara Kass, and Andrew King

As part of the ALiEM Faculty Incubator Professional Development Program, Drs. Megan Boysen-Osborn (Program Director at University of California-Irvine), Dara Kass (Editor-in-Chief FeminEM), and Andrew King (Assistant Program Director at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center) participated in a Google Hangout where they provided perspectives and expert advice on program evaluation. Their perspectives and wisdom are summarized below.

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By Andrew King, MD FACEP|2018-02-11T16:31:24-08:00Feb 12, 2018|Incubators, Medical Education, Professional Development|

EM Match Advice: Detroit Residency Programs

The EM Match Advice Series is back with another regional episode. This time, our team pulls the curtain back on the EM programs in Detroit, where residents learn to master EM while experiencing the city’s exciting rebirth. Outstanding clinical opportunities and collaboration with other programs in the area are just 2 of the many reasons to explore these residency programs. Co-hosted by Drs. Michael Gisondi (Stanford) and Michelle Lin (UCSF), watch the video or listen to the podcast to learn more about each one!
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By Michael Gisondi, MD|2021-07-01T10:25:21-07:00Dec 5, 2017|EM Match Advice, Podcasts|

Trick of the Trade: Gaze Testing Using “Selfie Mode” on Your Smartphone Camera

The NIH Stroke Scale is used to assess the severity of a suspected stroke. It includes 11 neurologic exam components that can be quickly performed at the bedside. The second component of the NIH Stroke Scale is testing of voluntary horizontal eye movements, a.k.a., “best gaze”.¹ Gaze is usually tested by instructing the patient to follow the examiner’s hand or pointer finger in a horizontal plane from side to side. This assessment assumes that the patient can comprehend instructions and actively participate in the physical exam.

But… how do you test gaze if your patient is aphasic or unable to follow commands?
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By Katie Stiene|2017-07-26T10:35:49-07:00Jul 26, 2017|Neurology, Tricks of the Trade|

EM Match Advice: The Standardized Video Interview

It is not very often that the ERAS application process for residency positions changes from year to year. In 2018, there is going to be a new component added – the Standardized Video Interview (SVI) launched by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). All EM applicants in the 2018 application season are required to complete this interview during June 6 – July 31, 2017. Because it is such a new process, we invited key various stakeholders to the virtual table. The discussion was hosted by Drs. Michael Gisondi (Stanford) and Michelle Lin (UCSF/ALiEM).

Podcast

Panelists

Mrs. Renee Overton: Senior Director, Residency & Fellowship Program Solutions (AAMC)
Dr. Rebecca Bavolek: EM Program Director (UCLA-Olive View EM residency)
Dr. Rahul Patwari: Assistant Dean (Rush Medical College) and CDEM President

Listen to all the episodes of the EM Match Advice Series

Update July 1, 2021: The Standardized Video Interview is no longer a required element for the EM residency application.

By Michelle Lin, MD|2021-07-01T10:30:22-07:00Jun 3, 2017|EM Match Advice, Podcasts|

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 a secure parental-hugging hold or maintaining close physical contact throughout the procedure.⁶ This can easily replace immobilization of a child or the use of restraints which can cause increased fear and escalate the degree of anxiety in a child.²

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By Ashley Foster, MD|2019-02-19T18:54:16-08:00Feb 7, 2017|Pediatrics, PEM Pearls, Trauma, Tricks of the Trade|

Introducing In-Line Expert Peer Review: Advancing the State of Academic Blogging

A peer review process, in one form or another, has long been the de facto standard for academic publishing. In 2013, ALiEM was the first FOAM resource to initiate an attributed peer review process for all submitted content–effectively bringing a traditional standard to a new frontier of medical education.¹ Since our expert peer review (EPR) program inception, reviewers have published critical appraisals alongside 114 ALiEM posts to date.
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By Scott Kobner|2017-01-11T19:57:40-08:00Jan 12, 2017|Expert Peer Reviewed (Clinical), Social Media & Tech|

Wellness and Resiliency During Residency: Strategizing with ZDoggMD

Unless you are living under a rock, many healthcare and public media platforms are talking about the insidious problems with burnout in the health professions world. One thought leader out there is especially vocal about wellness, resiliency, and mindfulness — Dr. Zubin Damania (alter ego: ZDoggMD). For instance, do you know the difference between empathy and compassion, and why that is important to differentiate this as a clinician? We were honored to have him join the Wellness Think Tank to field questions that we peppered at him, specifically around resident wellness.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2019-01-28T21:38:10-08:00Dec 9, 2016|Wellness, Wellness Think Tank|