#FOAMed

Taking a sexual history in the emergency department requires privacy, sensitive language and a willingness to question assumptions. Janos Baombe explores communication, confidentiality, relevant medical and social history, specialist support and follow-up, with particular attention to patients who may have experienced sexual assault.

Highlights from the 2015 North West Emergency Medicine Regional Research Symposium, spanning heart failure trials, ECG interpretation, chest pain testing and post-cardiac-arrest care. The report also explores building research teams in district general hospitals and measuring outcomes that matter to trauma patients.

A 2015 account of preparing an emergency department for possible MERS-CoV cases, drawing on local outbreak planning. It covers specialist collaboration, isolation facilities, protective equipment, rehearsal and clear staff guidance, with explicit recognition that plans require local adaptation and review as evidence changes.

Three UK trainees reflect on what SMACC Chicago 2015 taught them about uncertainty, reading primary research and mastering the basics. Their account connects debates about sepsis and trauma with clearer team communication, personal resilience and the work required to turn conference inspiration into learning.

An archived preview of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s September 2015 conference in Manchester, themed ‘24-Hour EM People’. It introduces the planned speakers, ultrasound workshops, simulation activities and social programme, alongside reflections on how conferences can strengthen learning and professional community.

The St Emlyn’s team looks back at days two and three of SMACC Chicago 2015 in this podcast round-up. The accompanying post gathers links to conference resources and fellow educators, remembers John Hinds and records the announcement of the following year’s Dublin meeting.