Global Clues: The Essential Travel History for Febrile Patients
It’s 2 a.m. in the ED. The waiting room is full, and the next patient sounds straightforward: fever. Then they add, “I just got back from an international trip.”
Geoff Comp, DO
Demystifying the Peds PE
Whether you’re in primary care, urgent care, or the ED, the pediatric physical exam can be challenging. Adult vitals make sense. Adults generally cooperate. But kids? They squirm, scream, and sometimes can’t even tell you where it hurts. The pediatric exam isn’t just smaller, it’s a different beast altogether.
The Knee Exam, Rebooted: What Every Clinician Should Know
Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints seen in primary care, emergency medicine, and outpatient clinics. Yet despite its prevalence, evaluating an injured knee can feel deceptively complex. Swelling can obscure findings, patient discomfort may limit your exam, and the sheer number of specialized maneuvers can leave even experienced clinicians second-guessing their technique.
Orthodontic Emergencies in Urgent Care: What You Need to Know
Orthodontic devices are becoming increasingly common among patients of all ages. As a result, urgent care providers are likely to encounter complications involving these appliances more frequently—anything from poking wires to trauma-related bracket dislodgement. Your role is to stabilize the patient, relieve discomfort, and facilitate appropriate follow-up with their orthodontist.
This guide outlines common orthodontic issues encountered...
Mastering the ABEM Oral Board Exam: Tips for Success and Pitfalls to Avoid
After residency training, the ABEM Oral Board Exam is the second major hurdle in becoming a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician. While the pass rate is high (~91% in 2023), examinees must be ready to play the game by ensuring they know the format, standards, and rules. ABEM offers the virtual exam twice yearly; the 2024 dates are April 16-19, 2024, and September 10-13, 2024.
The Road to ABEM ITE Mastery: How Practice Questions Can Elevate Your Prep
As an emergency medicine resident, preparing for the ABEM In-Training Exam (ITE) is a pivotal phase in your medical journey. This high-stakes exam not only assesses your knowledge and readiness for the next steps in your career but also lays the groundwork for your lifelong practice in emergency medicine. While there is no “passing” score for the ITE, studies and empirical data have shown a strong correlation between test results and...