Emergency Medicine

What can a year with Sydney HEMS teach an emergency medicine educator? Natalie May reflects on trust, training with the people you work alongside, purposeful simulation and shared learning, including how teams can turn clinical governance and debriefing into useful educational experiences.

The St Emlyn’s team looks back on 2016 through clinical successes, teaching experiences, research milestones and personal moments. These reflections share the people, ideas and learning opportunities that mattered to the contributors, alongside hopes for the year ahead.

An infant with a groin swelling can present a difficult assessment for the emergency clinician. This 2016 paediatric surgery primer explains the relevant anatomy, history and examination, distinguishing hernias from hydroceles and discussing management and specialist involvement, with recognition of local practice differences.

Could selected patients with uncomplicated appendicitis receive antibiotics without a hospital admission? This 2016 appraisal examines a small pilot trial, questioning its mixed treatment comparison, restrictive eligibility and what feasibility findings can establish before a larger, more definitive study.

Does low-molecular-weight heparin prevent symptomatic clots after lower-limb casting? This 2016 review of POT-CAST examines a trial that found no statistically significant reduction, while discussing patient selection, low event numbers and the unresolved question of benefit in higher-risk groups.

Can a rude comment disrupt clinical teamwork? This 2016 appraisal examines a randomised neonatal simulation study in which rudeness impaired performance and information sharing, then considers the limits of transferring those findings to real care and the implications for everyday professional behaviour.