Focused FOAMed – The Learners Lens

Written by Jenny Beck-Esmay, MD REBEL EM

Background: This is a guest post from two of our friends all the way in Italy. They have actually sent several revisions of this post as a way to help learners focus on different aspects of FOAMed. One of the major caveats the authors mentioned is that FOAM covers most of the coolest parts of EM, but there are other topics that are important as well. The authors advocate for a compilation of resources into a simple syndication reader (i.e. Feedly) and podcast application (i.e. Downcast, Overcast, etc). When searching for topics consider using FOAM search. Finally, study and focus on FOAM topics that you like and need:

Like = your passions, what you’re best at Need = what you’re worst at or scared of





The most important aspect of organizing FOAMed is, the resources compilation, which we can call focused FOAM (F_FOAM).

Below is an organized resource compilation made of a list of FOAM-resources grouped in mind maps, according to Buzan’ method (a method I also highly recommend for study, projects, notes etc.). The resources have been evaluated according to their Social Media Index.

FOCUSED FOAM

EM FUNDAMENTALS CRITICAL CARE/RESUSCITATION AIRWAY ECG ULTRASOUND PROCEDURES PHARMA/TOXICOLOGY PEDIATRIC EM EBM EDUCATION MINDSET & WELLNESS

1. EMERGENCY MEDICINE FUNDAMENTALS

EM FUNDAMENTALS video podcast notes lifeinthefastlane (LIFTL) Almost all about EM, from ECG to Toxicology EMCrit X X Among EM most followed blogs, offering also sections on Pulmonary and Critical Care Academic Life in Emergency Medicine (ALiEM) All around EBM, development programs, flashcards on EM topics (tip: automatic download via Apps, Evernote and Dropbox) EM Cases X X Podcasts on EM cases with key-point written charts, rapid view videos & quizzes (tip: automatic download via Apps, Evernote and Dropbox), POCUS cases, Cases where EM policy meets practice, Journal Jam on debated papers Rebel EM X Podcast on new EM papers (Cast), and clinical reviews on different topics with one-page summary chart (Reviews); tips for presentation (Prez) emDOCs.net Almost daily updates on many medical conditions from the basics to cutting edge St. Emlyn’s X X Blog & podcast on 4 pillars: clinical excellence (12 sections from airway & trauma to methodology), EBM (reflections on new papers), well-being, (stay curious & healthy) and EM philosophy (why we act as we do).

Free ebooks on wellbeing, prehospital care, and risk & probability Intensive Care Network X X Collection of podcasts, vodcasts and slides including SMACC catalogued by topics or specialty CanadiEM X Mo-Fri different EM aspects (Concepts, Opinions, Throwbacks, National), also for non-medical professionals, flashcards, podcast CRACKCast covers Rosen’s EM book EM Updates Rarely updated but provides checklists and flowchart on many medical conditions CoreEM X X Comprehensive EM site offering Core Competence, podcast, video procedures, journal reviews, and blog EM Basic X Blog and regular podcast on basic EM (how to document, how to report a case etc.) The “show notes in one master file” is a complete summary of topics ER Cast X Monthly podcasts, gives updates usually on general/basic topics EM in 5′ Essential EM in 5 min videos with resources First10EM X EBM reflective reviews & videos; Resus, Ortho, procedure videos, handouts on EBM EM:RAP x x It’s not free (monthly content free trial), provides EM and CC monthly audio series, short videos on procedures, sutures, ECG etc; monthly podcast; monthly EMA (EM Abstract summary); C3 core content of ED patient approach; handouts & question sets

2. CRITICAL CARE AND RESUSCITATION

The core of Emergency medicine. Each EM blog covers Critical Care; the following are sources built on Critical Care as the main the pillar.

CRITICAL CARE/RESUS video podcast notes EMCrit X X The EmCrit RACC is a reference delve into CC; PulmCrit, ISepsis, and Tox & Hound also cover CC. Intensive Care Network X Collection of podcasts including SMACC, with a focus on CC, from prehospital to ICU resus.me X Entirely devoted to Resuscitation, from literature to methodology, with reflections on clinical cases First10EM X Scenarios & videos to manage instantly, from airway management to less covered areas such as Ob-Gyn, Ophthalmology etc. scancrit.com X Blog on CC with videos from international conferences Resus X Blogs, lectures and procedural videos on resuscitation and airway management, including kids resusreview.com X X Blogs, lectures with handouts on airway management, ECMO, Cardiology, Tox, and US

3. AIRWAY

Scary movies in EM. How to increase your confidence on airway management and prepare yourself – not only your manual skills, but also your mind.

AIRWAY video podcast notes airwaycam.com Only onsite courses thesharpend.org X NZ team devoted to airway management. You can find a blog, courses with tutorial videos, literature, and a research section LIFTL Own the Airway X Collection of FOAM tutorials and videos on emergency airway management EMCrit X X Most posts and podcast dive into the world of EM airway management, both procedures and mindset

4. ECG

EM physicians should master ECG. The suggested sources will help you avoid ECG pitfalls where even experienced cardiologist may fail.

ECG video podcast notes ems12lead.com Myriads of ECG cases with commentaries and discussion Dr. Smith’s ECG Blog X ECG cases (ACS, arrhythmias, PM), lectures from international conferences, rules + equations (e.g.: STEMI vs early repolarization) ECG Weekly X X Weekly 15min Vodcast with Amal Mattu (non-free), ECG commented cases with take home messages. Some videos on youTube or Vimeo

5. EMERGENCY ULTRASOUND

Want to increase your knowledge on emergency ultrasound? You can find several podcasts & videos that help you fill the gap.

EMERGENCY ULTRASOUND video podcast notes ultrasoundpodcast X X Bimonthly comprehensive and cutting-edge podcast with US videos and explanations ultrasoundoftheweek X X Weekly podcast with video cases and Q & A’s Sonospot X X US cases, tips & tricks, and tutorials. Unfortunately, non-updated since 2014 5 minute Sono X X 5 min videos on US in EM, procedures etc; weekly podcast, reference values sheet. Ideal for quick bedside reference search sinaiem.us X X Dedicated to Mount Sinai residents; POCUS tutorials from basic to advanced US; research sections WesternSONO X X From Western University of Ontario, Cases of the Week and tutorials from the basics to advanced edeblog.com X Cases, videos and tips on EM POCUS

6. PROCEDURES

field and can make the difference; you can see procedures indefinitely, appraise the method on learning (mental rehearsal).

PROCEDURES video podcast notes edprocedures.com X Videos & links to ACEP Courses highlandultrasound.com X US-guided procedures mainly focused on blocks Laceration Repair X Videos and pearls on acute wound care (eg.: Three things you didn’t know about gluing skin) LITFL Procedures X A section of LIFTL entirely dedicated to procedures, with explanatory texts and videos (most external links)

7. PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY

Rarely covered in the FOAM world, Toxicology is a fascinating field of EM, and few blogs focus on this niche and delve into secrets, pearls & pitfalls.

PHARMA/TOXICOLOGY video podcast notes thepoisonreview.com – X Vast Tox/Alcohol graded lit review; links to Tox resources & podcasts ToxNow – X Bimonthly podcast on case reports on Toxicology; links to Tox resources Chicago Toxcast X Monthly podcast about everything that is ‘Tox-worthy’, unfortunately on hiatus now pharmacyjoe.com X X Pills (1-7min) Critical Care Pharmacy podcasts, downloadable visual ABX guide ALiEM Capsules – – Pharmacology curriculum; 1-hour modules with cases and final quiz session emfoamtopics.wordpress.com X X Collection of FOAMed resources on Toxicology

8. PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE

This is a big topic, rarely covered in the most resources, yet essential for all EPs dealing with children (with or without a fellowship in PEM).

9. EBM (EVIDENCED BASED MEDICINE)

Virtually every EM blog reviews EM papers. In this section, we focused on EM sites specifically devoted to EBM.

EBM video podcast notes lifeinthefastlane – – Weekly review of global FOAM Rebel EM X Regular posts and podcasts on EM literature and topics St Emlyn’s X EBM is one of the four pillars of St Emlyn’s blog; Junior Club section, and papers commented throughout all other 11 clinical sections The Skeptic’s Guide to EM – X The BEEM. Weekly review of practice changing articles; quality checklist for RCTs and observational studies EM Lit of Note – – At least 6 articles commented per month revealing weaknesses and strengths of published results, to empower your critical thinking of EM lit The Bottom Line – X Compendium of EM and Intensive Care papers, summarised and criticised. The Bottom Line wraps up key points TheNNT.com – – LR for Dx & NNT for Tx EMNerd – – Literature discussion & comments with a focus on clinical reasoning and methodology bestbets.org – – Vast EBM literature to support Dx and Tx FOAMcast – X Synoptic tables from the recent literature SketchyEBM.com X – Short videos on EBM methodology

10. EDUCATION

The mission of all generalist EM blogs (see the first part) is education where you can find immense material to improve your knowledge and/or skills. Here we report FOAM resources specifically dedicated to MedEd not only providing material to learn but also focusing on how to teach emergency care, together with some focused educational tracks offered by the main generalist FOAM resources.

EDUCATION video podcast notes Academic Life in Emergency Medicine – X Blog on teaching, research, ideas, cases St. Emlyn’s X The educational pillar, for both learning & teaching LITFL Clinical Education Resources – X Education for residents (CR Incubator), researchers (SAEM RLS podcast), faculty Incubator (1-year education program), new IDEAs for education, MEdIC Series (difficult case discussion with final pearls). Weekly podcast EM Cases X X 10min videos library canadiem.org Online community sharing high-quality free educational resources cdemcurriculum.com/category X Undergraduate EM Medical Education. Monthly post Medutopia X 360˚ EM teaching to improve as educator and as person. Monthly podcast

11. MINDSET & WELLNESS

The poet Juvenales wrote 1900 years ago ‘Mens sana in corpore sano.’ This means that to be a good doctor you should also care for yourself. Many EM blogs now have a devoted section on EM mindset, smart productivity, and wellness.

MINDSET & WELLNESS video podcast notes ALiEM X How I work smarter, How I stay healthy, How I Promote Wellness St Emlyn’s X X ED mindset is one of the four pillars of St Emlyn’s world EMDocs X Special section devoted to EM mindset Rolobotrambles EM mindset in the kids’ world canadiem.org X A podcast that covers also human aspects of physicians

Guest Post By:

Andrea Duca, MD Attending Emergency Physician, Centro EAS – ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy Twitter: @andreaduca00 Roberto Cosentini, MD

Twitter: Centro EAS Director – ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII – Bergamo, ItalyTwitter: @rob_cosentini

References:

Brent Thoma et al. Five strategies to effectively use online resources in emergency medicine. Ann Emerg Med, 2014 vol. 64,pp. 392-395. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.05.029 Brent Thoma, Nikita Joshi, N. Seth Trueger, Teresa M. Chan and Michelle Lin. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2014; 64(4): 392 – 395) http://www.aemau.cuhk.edu.hk/index.php/home/educational-resources/ Christopher P Nickson Michael D Cadogan. Free Open Access Medical education (FOAM) for the emergency physician. Emerg Med Australasia 2014 26; Pages 76-83 http://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.12191 Peter Cameron et al. CJEM Debate Series: #SocialMedia. CJEM 2017, 19:471-474 Scott KR et al. Integration of Social Media in Emergency Medicine Residency Curriculum. Ann Emerg Med. 2014 Jun 21 Free Open Access Meducation (FOAM): the rise of emergency medicine and critical care blogs and podcasts (2002–2013). Emerg Med J 2014 Oct;31:e76-7.http://doi:10.1136/emermed-2013-203502 Don’t Call It Social Media: FOAM and the Future of Medical Education. Emergency Medicine News Feb 2013 doi: http://10.1097/01.EEM.0000427050.81739.a1

For More Thoughts on this Topic Checkout:

Post Peer Reviewed By: Jenny Beck-Esmay, MD (Twitter: @jbeckesmay)

Cite this article as: Jenny Beck-Esmay, MD, "Focused FOAMed – The Learners Lens", REBEL EM blog, January 24, 2019. Available at: https://rebelem.com/focused-foamed-the-learners-lens/.