Practice of EM

Do We Need to Reconsider the Word… Need?

Critical Care, Ethics, Practice of EM

Spoon Feed
Need in medicine describes what is missing and the necessary corrective action (i.e. you need a transfusion), but this wording allows little latitude for discussion with patients and families. However, saying, “Can we talk about what this means and what to do next?” allows for dialogue without presuming the desired course of action.

Source
Reconsidering the Language of Serious Illness. JAMA. 2023 Aug 15;330(7):587-588. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.11409.

Imaging Decisions Vary On Shift – Are We Feeling More Confident, Fatiguing, or Somewhere In Between?

Imaging, Practice of EM

Spoon Feed
Emergency physicians have dynamic changes to their work-ups (particularly in the selection of imaging) related to how busy, not how long, a shift is.

Source
How are Patient Order and Shift Timing Associated With Imaging Choices in the Emergency Department? Evidence From Niagara Health Administrative Data. Ann Emerg Med. 2022 Aug 8;S0196-0644(22)00412-7. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.06.002. Online ahead of print.

COVID-19, Stress, and You

Practice of EM, Wellness

Spoon Feed
Emergency physicians reported that the COVID-19 pandemic made them feel more stressed, lonely, anxious, irritable, and sad. Overall, EM providers had an uptick in alcohol use and a decrease in daily exercise. Laughter (humor and positive reframing) was the best medicine during this time.

Scroll to Top