Latest posts

Why were so many trainees struggling to pass FCEM? Writing in 2013, Simon Carley examines pass rates, training pressures and the structure of the examination, using a probability model to question how separate compulsory components affect candidates’ chances of success.

Distraction during a child’s procedure starts well before the procedure itself. Rick Body explores the child’s and parents’ perspectives, clinicians’ emotions, first impressions and preparation, showing how rapport and a personalised distraction plan fit into care in the paediatric emergency department.

This is the panel discussion from smacc 2013 with a great group of FOAMites (and me). The panel discuss where FOAM is, where it's going and how it might fit in to the future of Medical Education.

Does prehospital fluid resuscitation improve survival after trauma? This 2013 journal club challenges the interpretation of an observational study, examining the difference between its headline, unadjusted mortality figures and adjusted analysis, alongside selection bias and uncertainty from a small sample.

A 2013 introduction to adder bites for emergency clinicians in the UK, prompted by a snakebite scenario at SMACC. It reviews local and systemic envenomation, supportive care and antivenom, with treatment details explicitly based on poisons information available at the time.

Could nebulised hypertonic saline prevent admission for infants with bronchiolitis? This 2013 journal club examines a Cochrane review, separating findings in hospitalised children from the smaller emergency and outpatient studies, and highlighting the uncertainty around admission avoidance.