FCEM Exam hot topic college of emergency medicine information
Does improving an acid–base measurement demonstrate that a resuscitation fluid is better for patients? This 2014 journal club examines a small trial comparing Plasma-Lyte with saline in major trauma, exploring surrogate outcomes, fluid volumes and why the findings could not establish a benefit in patient-centred outcomes.
JC: Plasma-lyte or Saline in Trauma? St. Emlyn’s Read More
A collection of BestBets critical appraisal checklists for clinicians preparing for journal club or examinations. The post links to tools for different study designs, including randomised trials, diagnostic studies, reviews, decision rules and qualitative research, and encourages sharing completed appraisals.
JC: BestBets checklists for critical appraisal. St.Emlyn’s Read More
How does a patient’s story become distorted as it passes through the emergency department? Using an illustrative handover, this post explores clearer summaries, structured communication, attentive listening and checking shared understanding, with practical ways for both the speaker and receiver to reduce misunderstandings.
Miscommunication and Handover in the ED. St Emlyn’s Read More
Can symptoms or clinical scores predict which adults with sore throat will develop complications? This 2013 journal club examines a large primary-care cohort, using rare outcomes to explain positive predictive value and to question assumptions behind antibiotic prescribing.
JC: The Trouble With Tonsils. St.Emlyn’s Read More
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.
Top tips for trainees…….from CEM Read More
Should patients without ST elevation receive coronary intervention after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest? This 2013 review explores observational evidence, presenting rhythms, symptoms and ECG findings, while emphasising that associations with survival do not establish a benefit caused by the intervention.
PCI for OOHCA with NSTEMI post ROSC? An acronym too far? Read More
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.
Taking FCEM – what are the odds on passing? St.Emlyn’s Read More
A fictional emergency department case introduces Nicola Jakeman’s teaching on human factors. Work through questions about missed warning signs, fatigue, diagnostic fixation, confirmation bias and cognitive overload, then consider strategies for recognising when an initial diagnosis needs to be challenged.
Human Factors cases with @JakemanNicola. Read More
