The opening instalment of an emergency medicine ethics series presents a deliberately extreme, fictional rescue dilemma. It asks readers to weigh saving several lives against actively causing one death, using the thought experiment to begin a wider discussion about the ethics behind clinical decisions.
A 2013 reflection on resuscitating patients with suspected recreational drug-induced hyperthermia when the history is incomplete. It explores diagnostic uncertainty, cooling, complications and difficult airway decisions, emphasising the limits of the evidence and the role of specialist poisons advice.
Emergency Department Management
A short introduction to the College of Emergency Medicine’s 2013 guide to making the most of training. The linked document offers ten tips for trainees, including advice on preparing for the FCEM examination.
Could surgical fixation help patients with flail chest who need ventilatory support? This 2013 journal club examines a small study using historical controls, exploring promising findings alongside selection bias, differences between groups and the need for stronger comparative evidence.
Journal ClubEvidence-Based Medicine
Can one CT scan reliably investigate coronary artery disease, pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection in patients with chest pain? This 2013 review of triple rule-out CT examines diagnostic accuracy, patient selection and reference standards, asking whether the evidence establishes a meaningful benefit for emergency patients.
Mike Cadogan’s SMACC 2013 presentation explores learning through social media. This brief introduction points readers to the talk and recognises his role in founding Life in the Fast Lane and helping St Emlyn’s get started.
Practical perspectives on trauma care and team leadership.
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