Could an automated blood test make the original MACS chest pain rule practical to use? This 2015 research update explains validation with a new heart-type fatty acid binding protein assay, how the rule was recalibrated and why testing its effects in clinical practice was the next step.
Why is ‘I don’t know’ so hard to say? Drawing on Think Like a Freak, this reflection explores intellectual humility, curiosity, reframing problems and seeking useful feedback, asking how ideas from outside medicine can help emergency clinicians recognise their limits and approach difficult decisions differently.
What can competitive simulation teach us about working with an unfamiliar resuscitation team? Simon Carley looks back at SIMWARS at SMACC Gold, exploring communication, leadership, teamwork and the tension between education and entertainment, with a recording of the event and reflections on performing under pressure.
How do you make simulation work in the department where your team actually practises? Simon Carley shares lessons on choosing learning goals, finding simple equipment, involving the whole team, protecting patients and participants, and using debriefs to turn everyday scenarios into improvements in teamwork and systems.
What does ‘high sensitivity’ actually mean when describing a troponin assay? This 2014 explainer and accompanying podcast unpack detection limits, precision and the distinction between analytical and diagnostic sensitivity, while exploring why more sensitive tests still require careful clinical interpretation.
Starting work in the emergency department can require a different way of thinking. In this 2014 induction podcast, Iain Beardsell and Simon Carley discuss focused assessment, uncertainty, resuscitation and pain relief, alongside asking for help and learning from conversations with senior colleagues.
Do emergency department targets help patients or encourage the wrong priorities? In this 2014 podcast, Iain Beardsell and Simon Carley weigh the benefits of the four-hour standard against capacity pressures, administrative work and rushed decisions, asking how clinical leaders can use targets to improve care.
A 2014 podcast introduction on trauma team leadership and the challenge of moving patients from ED arrival to CT within 30 minutes. The post places that goal alongside UK trauma standards of the time and includes a trauma transfer checklist to support the discussion.
What did the 2014 GMC training survey reveal about emergency medicine? This analysis compares satisfaction across trainee groups, explores the limits of rankings and small samples, and asks how departments can use feedback to improve induction, teaching and working conditions rather than simply defend their scores.
After being described as intimidating, Sarah Payne reflects on the gap between how she sees herself and how colleagues perceive her. Drawing on her experiences and research on gender stereotypes, she explores the tension between warmth, competence and assertiveness for women working in emergency medicine.