Latest posts

Writing in December 2021, Liz Crowe reflects on what the loss of physical touch during COVID-19 meant for patients, staff and families. She explores touch, wellbeing and ways to preserve compassion and connection when infection precautions limit contact.

Iain's November 2021 podcast round-up explores storytelling in medical education, airway management in the emergency department and the use of pigtail catheters for haemothorax. The accompanying notes link to these posts and earlier wellbeing episodes.

Can newer CT scanners reliably exclude subarachnoid haemorrhage beyond six hours? This 2021 appraisal examines a retrospective study, focusing on patient selection, uncertain symptom timings and why cumulative sensitivity figures may not answer the emergency clinician's question.

A 2021 review of pulse oximetry accuracy in patients assessed for ECMO. It examines differences in unrecognised hypoxaemia between reported racial groups, the limitations of retrospective data and why skin pigmentation needs more precise investigation than broad racial classifications allow.

Revisiting his debate with Scott Weingart, Simon Carley asks whether emergency medicine can continue to be everything to everyone. This 2021 reflection considers the specialty's core work, increasing subspecialisation and the continuing need for generalists in less-supported settings.

Iain and Simon revisit October 2021 on the St Emlyn's blog and podcast. The episode notes point to CT coronary angiography, cauda equina assessment, the REST trial, paediatric conference highlights and a cardiac-output metaphor for patient flow.