#FOAMed digest No. 9: For the Visually Oriented

As was discussed in conference by Jason Wagner last week, and brought up by EM Curious in this tweet,

humans are visual learners and there is little substitute for an image when it comes to retention of information.   Therefore, the focus of this installment of the #FOAMed digest is on visually-oriented FOAMed resources - from static visual aids, to procedural videos or talks.  Since I think the same applies to Case-based learning (I know that I personally learn best from cases that I have seen or heard of), I've thrown some of that in too.

Visual aids: EMCurious has created some wonderful visual aids that allow you to navigate patient management, evidence based medicine and #FOAMed content. I particularly like these infographics on management of Afib with RVR in the emergency department or this infographic on vasopressors in septic shock.   For a simple visual algorithm (and cognitive aid) on managing the difficult airway, check out the vortex approach (I recommend watching the video as it explains the image). 

Ultrasound : It would be impossible to properly teach ultrasound without case examples and visual demonstrations.  There are some excellent online resources to enhance your ultrasound learning.  Laura Wallace (@labellalaura) recommended the Ohio State ultrasound website for tutorials on common US exams.  If you like a little entertainment with your ultrasound, check out the emc to learn about ultrasound findings and pathophysiology of both cardiac tamponade and PE.  For the combination of case-based learning and excellent videos, be sure to add the ultrasound of the week to your weekly to do list.  I particular liked this case of a patient with lung cancer and shortness of breath because it gave me good reminder to look at everything in the ultrasound image (sorry for the sort-of-spoiler alert). 

Procedures:  Much like my husband did when he fixed the dishwasher,  I have used YouTube when refreshing on a procedure before doing it in the ER.  I have also watched procedural videos in anticipation of having to do the procedure (such as this set of emcrit central line videos the night before my first TCC shift as an intern).  As far as #FOAMed procedural videos, EM Curious has a "procedures club" of videos for those less frequent but high-stress ED procedures, including ED thoracotomy , lateral canthotomy, and crichothyrotomy.  Our own PD, Jason Wagner, has made this video of simulated perimortem C-section. 

EM Basics & Board Review: The possibilities for this category are endless.  Here are a couple resources that may be helpful.  For case-based and visual learning, Northwestern has an excellent site for Orthopedics review, complete with case scenarios and excellent X-ray images.  For board review in general, see the EM Board review blog - here is a link to a rapid fire review you may want to watch before the inservice.  If flashcards are your thing,  here is a link to a flashcard host site for board review flashcards based in Rosen's shared by Boring EM.

On being human - Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are human and our patients are too.  To me, when it comes to medical error and mistakes, individual cases motivate me for change more than any jumbo jet analogy.  I think we all have some cases where we sat down to think about (or lay in bed awake at night wondering) what we could have done differently.  Here are talks, by both doctors and patient families, on mistakes that happen and what we can do better:
              The story of Elaine Bromiley
              Doctor's make mistakes - Can we Talk About That? 
              Transparency and Truth in Medical Errors

 Enjoy the tour,
Maia Dorsett, PGY-3 (@maiadorsett)