Falls

Older people and frailty · ElP3

This topic appears in the RCEM clinical syllabus. Start with a relevant resource below, then use a case or practice activity to test what you have learned.

View this area in the official clinical syllabus

These cases explore a possible blackout behind an unexplained fall. They cover one part of falls assessment.

Discuss

Syncope: a normal appearance is not the diagnosis
Lesson plan · Induction · Early-career EM · Preparation about 15 min · 45-minute session · 30-minute option · Paired practice available
Reconstruct a blackout, identify concerning cardiac features and discuss monitoring, referral and advice.
Learner preparation Facilitator guide
Assessing a blackout or unexplained fall
Lesson plan · Medical students · Preparation about 12 min · 45-minute session · 30-minute option · Paired practice available
Build a witness-based blackout history, recognise cardiovascular red flags and avoid reassuring labels that hide risk.
Learner preparation Facilitator guide

Practise

One learner performs. One checks the key steps and gives feedback. Then swap roles. These are practice tools, not official RCEM mark schemes.

Cardiovascular examination
Paired practice · FRCEM
Practise cardiovascular examination for the selected possible-blackout case. It does not cover a full falls assessment.
Cardiovascular examination
Paired practice · MLA
Practise cardiovascular examination for the selected possible-blackout case. It does not cover a full falls assessment.

Teaching programmes

Medical Student Emergency Medicine Placement
Teaching programme
1 relevant session in this programme.

Lesson links are St Emlyn’s educational mappings. Their individual clinical-review status still applies; attending a session does not demonstrate curriculum competence.