Table of Contents
Title Page
Preface
Contributors
Contents
Foreword
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Specialty of Emergency Medicine
Suggested Reading
Chapter 2: Introduction to the Emergency Medicine Clerkship
Suggested Reading
Figures
Tips for a Successful Rotation
Chapter 3: Emergency Medicine Clerkship Goals and Objectives
Suggested Reading
Chapter 4: Unique Educational Aspects of Emergency Medicine
Suggested Reading
Chapter 5: Differences Between the Emergency Department, the Office, and the Inpatient Setting
Suggested Reading
Figures
Case Study
Comparison of the Three Patient Care Settings
Chapter 6: Undifferentiated and Differentiated Patients
Approach to the Undifferentiated Patient
Assessing ABCDs of Resuscitation
Addressing Abnormal Vital Signs
Treating Pain
Approaching the Stable Patient
Being a Medical Pessimist
Keeping an Open Mind
Following the Best Path
Differentiated Patients
Elderly Patients
Pediatric Patients
Patients With a History of Psychiatric Illness
Suggested Reading
Figures
Be a Medical Pessimist
Findings of Potentially
Serious Illness
Chapter 7: Performing a Complaint-Directed History and Physical Examination
Primary Survey
Medical History
Physical Examination
Suggested Reading
Figures
Case Study
Basic Information
to Gather
Chapter 8: Data-Gathering Skills
Figures
Case Study—Thinking Creatively
Suggestions for Taking a Clear andConcise Medical History
Chapter 9: Developing a Case-Specific Differential Diagnosis
Medical Decisionmaking
Hypotheticodeductive Decisionmaking
Algorithmic Decisionmaking
Pattern Recognition
Rule-Out-Worst-Case Scenario
Exhaustive Decisionmaking
Event-Driven Decisionmaking
Putting Decisionmaking to Work
Suggested Reading
Figures
Case Study
Case Study
Chapter 10: Diagnostic Testing in the Emergency Department
Statistical Considerations Related to
Diagnostic Testing
Sensitivity and Specificity
Probability
Ultrasound Testing by Emergency Physicians
Conclusion
Suggested Reading
Figures
Before orderinga diagnostic test,ask yourself a fewquestions:
Case Study—Examining Probability
Chapter 11: Developing Your Plan of Action
Understanding the Meaning of Vital Signs
Temperature
Case Study
Pulse
Respiratory Rate
Blood Pressure
Pulse Oximetry
Conclusion
Suggested Reading
Chapter 12: Diagnosis—Is It Possible? Is It Necessary?
Case Study
Suggested Reading
Chapter 13: Disposition of the Emergency Department Patient
Case Study
Chapter 14: Discharge Instructions
Suggested Reading
Chapter 15: Documentation
Suggested Reading
Chapter 16: Enhancing Your Oral Case Presentation Skills
Suggested Reading
Chapter 17: Interacting With Consultants and Primary Care Physicians
Suggested Reading
Chapter 18: Patient Satisfaction—Meeting Patients’ Expectations
What Do Patients Want?
Patient Wish List
Why Patient Satisfaction Matters
How Can I, As a Medical Student, Make a Difference?
Provide Information to Patients
Reduce Perceived Wait Times
Reduce Perceived Wait Times
Be an Advocate for Your Patients
Suggested Reading
Chapter 19: Providing Anticipatory Guidance
Smoking Cessation
Alcohol Abuse
Fall Prevention in the Elderly
Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention
Seatbelt and Pediatric Safety Seat Use
Poisoning, Accidental Overdose, and
Medication Noncompliance
Drowning
Smoke Detectors
Childproofi ng the Home
Hypertension
Suggested Reading
Figures
Alcohol AbuseScreening Tool
Poison ControlHotline
Chapter 20: Procedural Skills
How Can I Become More Comfortable in Performing
Procedures?
Suggested Reading
Figures
Categories of Procedural Opportunitiesin the Emergency Department for Medical Students
Procedural Skills Web Sites
Chapter 21: Suggested Reading and Other Educational Resources for Medical Students
Online Educational Resources
Peer-Reviewed Emergency Medicine Journals
Other Educational Resources
Classic Emergency Medicine Textbooks
Other Emergency Medicine Textbooks
Personal Digital Assistants
Suggested Reading
Chapter 22: How to Get the Most Out of Your Emergency
Medicine Clerkship
Prepare Before Your Rotation
Solicit Feedback
Solicit Feedback From Your Supervisors
Solicit Feedback From a Nurse
Set Your Own Goals
Verbalize an Assessment and Management Plan
Prepare Follow-Up Cards
Maintain a “Peripheral Brain”
Develop a Question Log
Have a Positive Attitude
Exhibit Professionalism
Students Applying to Emergency Medicine Residency
Training Programs
Summary
Suggested Reading
Chapter 23: Introduction to the Core Competencies
Patient Care
Medical Knowledge
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
Systems-Based Decisionmaking
Continuous Quality Improvement
Journal Club
Life-Long Self-Assessment and Continuous Osteopathic
Learning Assessment
Systems-Based Practice
Professionalism
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Suggested Reading
Chapter 24: Advice for Medical Students Considering Emergency Medicine as a Career
Emergency Medicine Organizations With DedicatedInformation Available for Medical Students
Suggested Reading
Abbreviations and Acronyms
