Lucas is a 26 year old male who presents to the ED by his parents for bizarre behaviour and increasing aggression at home. He has a history of IV drug use but is not forthcoming about which drugs he has used and how recently he has used them. There are two hospital security employees behind him. He is frequently looking behind and around him, and appears dishevelled and unkempt. Lucas appears quite anxious …
How to Study Effectively: Powering Up Your Study Habits
Kuldeep is a 29 yo medical student who has been studying daily but can’t seem to keep up with the content. His friends seem to be scoring higher than him on tests. How can Kuldeep add some new habits and learn how to study more effectively? When it comes to studying, we are often poor judges of when we are learning well and when we are not. Evidence shows that information sticks better …
Bimanual technique to reduce pediatric inguinal hernia
A 7-week-old male infant named Johnny presents to the Emergency Department with a bulge in his right scrotum that the parents noticed today, worse when he is crying and upset. On exam you notice an inguinal hernia and try to reduce it but are unsuccessful. What technique could you try next? Incarcerated hernias can often be reduced using a bimanual (two-hand) technique and lots of patience. Place the fingers of your non-dominant hand …
Social Justice EM Podcast E02: Metis Worldview and Emergency Medicine with Dr. Jill Roberge
Overview:In this episode, Amie speaks with Dr. Jill Roberge, a Métis physician about how she integrates the Métis Worldview into her practice. Dr. Roberge discusses her cultural background and why she chose to practice Emergency Medicine. Dr. Roberge discusses how the Métis worldview can be practiced every day through a compassionate lens. We also discuss her experiences with racism within the medical school application process and in healthcare. In conclusion, Dr. Roberge provides …
Getting to “CT Safe and Fast”
A career in emergency medicine involves management of risk and uncertainty. We balance multiple competing priorities and make important trade-offs on a daily basis. None more so than the delicate balance between speed and safety. You may have heard the CT scanner being spoken about in a tongue in cheek fashion as “the doughnut of death.” While there is an element of dark humour here, there is also an element of truth. So …
Tiny Tips: PETMAC as a mnemonic for the 6 deadly causes of chest pain
An estimated 300,000-500,000 patients present to the emergency department (ED) every year inCanada with complaints of chest pain.1 In USA, the numbers are even more staggering at 8million per year.2 Given its prevalence, having a structured and rapid approach to chest pain isessential. Use the mnemonic PETMAC as an approach to these 6 cannot-miss causes of chestpain in the ED. Just think of your friendly neighbourhood pet, Mac! P: Pulmonary Embolism Classically presents …