Catherine is a 3rd year medical student who is finishing the last shift of her core emergency medicine rotation. She is interested in matching to neurology. During the shift, she asks her staff, Dr. Stewart, if he would be willing to observe her while she performs a neurological exam and provide feedback on her performance. Dr. Stewart agrees, but is unsure of what aspects of the assessment he should focus on during the …
Hidden stories: What happened to this woman?
“Hidden stories” is a new series for Arts PRN challenging your observation skills. How many details can you notice? Can you weave together a story from this one still image? Don’t forget to check out more series featured on Arts PRN here. Is the woman asleep, unconscious or dead? The woman is lying on the grass in a right lateral decubitus position with her eyes closed. The open outdoor location, her abnormal posturing, …
CAEP GeMES | Impact of Rudeness on Overall Medical Team Performance
Eric is a first year Emergency Medicine resident who just started his shift. The emergency department gets notified of an incoming patient with a history of liver cirrhosis who started to vomit frank blood. As the team is preparing the resuscitation room, the respiratory therapist asks Eric what intubation equipment he would like to use. Before he has a chance to answer, one of the nurses tells the respiratory therapist, “He’s just a …
FRCPC or CCFP-EM: What is best for you?
FRCPC or CCFP-EM? (FRCPC = Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada; CCFP = Canadian College of Family Physicians – Emergency Medicine certificate.) This is a question that EM mentors spend a lot of time discussing with their mentees. Why are there two EM designations in Canada? What’s the difference? Which route is right for you? These are great questions. Unfortunately, as with many important decisions, you’ll probably get as …
CAEP FEI | Mini-curriculum in Management
Mitch is a fifth year resident who is excited by the prospect of entering practice. He has always wanted to play an important role in managing the emergency department and has aspirations of becoming a department head. Mitch recognizes that his career goals will require him to take up new responsibilities such as personnel management and policy development. He wonders if there is anything in the residency curriculum that will help him prepare for these …
CAEP GeMES | Effects of Leadership Styles and Power Dynamics on Patient Safety
Alyssa is a first year Emergency Medicine resident working on a late night shift with Dr. Howard, whom she has never worked with before. After diagnosing a patient with Sepsis NYD, Dr. Howard starts the patient on piperacillin-tazobactam at 4.5 g IV q6h, but forgets to take into account that the patient has a history of chronic kidney disease and needs renal dosing. Alyssa notices this, but is unsure of whether or not …