Small changes can make an emergency department visit feel less frightening for a child. Inspired by ICEM 2016, this reflection explores welcoming children, involving caregivers, using play, listening carefully and respecting dignity, with children’s rights at the centre of the encounter.
When might withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment be considered in the emergency department? Using hypothetical cases and the 2008 UK code of practice, this 2016 discussion explores uncertain prognosis, reversible causes, patient wishes and the need for senior colleagues and families to be involved.
A 2015 introduction to chemsex for emergency clinicians, exploring drug use in sexual settings, patients’ reasons for attending and the importance of sensitive assessment. The article emphasises non-judgemental conversations, confidentiality, specialist advice and appropriate follow-up, including opportunities to disclose non-consensual experiences.
How should a clinician respond when a patient wants to record a consultation? Natalie May’s 2014 UK-focused discussion explores discomfort, trust, consent, information recall and the differences between patient-made and clinician-made recordings, drawing on the professional guidance available at the time.
Emergency Department Management
Who should be seen next when the emergency department cannot see everyone immediately? Rick Body uses hypothetical triage dilemmas to explore fairness, waiting time, clinical urgency and suffering, asking how fast-tracking, staffing decisions and performance targets affect the balance between individual patients and the wider department.
Can ‘first, do no harm’ describe clinical practice when every useful intervention carries some risk? The third instalment of this ethics series explores benefit, harm and utilitarian reasoning, asking how clinicians can pursue a patient’s interests while respecting moral limits.
Practical perspectives on trauma care and team leadership.
Explore the series →