Paediatrics

Starting work in an emergency department can be daunting. This collection brings together St Emlyn’s introductory blogs and podcasts on core emergency medicine, designed to support new starters alongside local induction, workplace teaching and the learning that comes with those first shifts.

Natalie May’s SMACC Dublin workshop notes review the 2015 paediatric and neonatal resuscitation guidelines. This historical teaching resource covers airway and ventilation, unexpected deliveries, care after resuscitation and communication with families, explaining why newborn resuscitation needs particular preparation.

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.

Could a single dose of dexamethasone be an alternative to a course of prednisolone for children with an asthma exacerbation? This 2016 appraisal examines a non-inferiority trial, including patient selection and blinding concerns, and places its findings alongside earlier studies.

What happens when the patient is someone you know? Iain Beardsell and Liz Crowe discuss caring for community members, friends and colleagues, exploring confidentiality, declaring personal connections, professional boundaries and supporting a team when personal and clinical responsibilities collide.

Natalie May’s 2015 EuSEM teaching notes explore why treating children’s pain involves more than choosing a drug. The discussion brings together analgesia, preparation for procedures, communication, parental support and distraction, with particular attention to the fear and distress surrounding an emergency department visit.