Ideas and Activities for EMIGs

Introductory EM Lecture

"What is EM?" Lecture can be given by the group’s advisor or the EM residency director. This is a basic outline of what the specialty of EM entails, available
fellowships, different career paths, etc.

Army Reserve

An emergency physician discussed his experience as an army reserve physician in Iraq.

Sexual Assault

A nurse spoke about the medical management of sexual assault patients in the emergency department.

Rural EM

A physician trained in family medicine and working in a rural ED spoke about emergency medicine in rural settings.

Types of Practice

The director of EMCARE spoke about differences between academic and private EM, and different business models in private EM. Lectures can also focus on working in teaching hospitals vs. non-teaching hospitals.

Flight for Life

Flight for Life did a presentation on their organization and had the helicopter come to campus for students to check out. They also discussed several cases.

International EM

An emergency physician spoke on his work in Capetown South Africa. He does both clinical work and is conducting several research projects in the county trauma center.

Wilderness EM

Wilderness medicine lecture series done by emergency physicians including introductory lecture, aquatic emergencies (diving), expedition/altitude medicine,  skiing and snowboarding injuries, and psychological aspects of wilderness injuries and survival.

Airways

An emergency physician gave a presentation on difficult airways.

The Match

Fourth year medical students organized a panel on applying to residency and the match. Other schools include interns and residents in this panel. This can be an informal Q&A with dinner and drinks.

Pre-Hospital EM

Introductory lecture to pre-hospital care. This included a reenactment of a GSW on campus and illustrated how EMS/Life-flight responds. Other schools discuss the role of EMS in the ED.

Toxicology

A general toxicology overview with examples of the most common toxidromes.

Research

Overview of EM research. One physician can give an overview of research opportunities in EM, or several physicians can outline specific projects they are working on.

Pediatric EM

The peds EM fellowship director came and talked about this specialty. He outlined  what the clinical work is like and how you pursue peds EM.

Snake Bites

This lecture discussed snakebites and their management. Cave rescue was also discussed.

EM Electives

Lecture on 4th year electives in emergency medicine.

Tropical Medicine

The director of the travel/tropical medicine department came and spoke on some interesting infectious disease topics. They also discussed the unique  opportunity emergency physicians have to practice internationally.

Fellowships

Various lectures on fellowship opportunities for emergency trained physicians. It’s possible to let 2 speakers come in a given hour to increase the exposure
for the students. Fellows or fellowship directors are good for these talks.

Radiology

Series of lectures on emergency radiology. For example, recognizing common surgical emergencies on CT scans, CXR’s, etc.

Disaster Medicine

What is disaster medicine? How are we preparing for disasters and what is the role for emergency physicians?

Medical Decision Making

How we make decisions in the emergency department and assign value to these decisions. This lecture caused many students to question the decisions made on a
daily basis in both patient management and the overall management of the ED.

Trauma

Lecture on traumatic injuries seen in the ED. Presentation was a case-based format.

Substance Abuse - Patients

Drug abuse in patients seen in the ED. Lecture discussed the clinical presentation as well as management.

Substance Abuse - Physicians

A former emergency physician who lost his license due to substance abuse and addictions discussed his experiences and how he developed addictions. He now
practices addiction medicine (psychiatry).

Suturing

Students practice basic suturing techniques on pig’s feet (bananas, surgery rags, and cadavers can also be used). EM residents and attendings teach the workshop.

IV's/Blood Draws

Students practice starting IV’s and drawing blood on each other. A cannulation mannequin can also be used (many simulation centers have these). Also taught by EM residents.

Intubation

Students intubate cadavers in the anatomy lab (un-embalmed) and watch EM residents practice thoracotomies on cadavers at the end of the night.
Mannequins can also be used.

Ultrasound

A lecture on the basic concepts of ultrasound in the ED was done. Students then used US machines to practice FAST exams and other exams on each other. Machines
were provided by a rep from an ultrasound company. Done in conjunction with the EM US fellows.

Simulations

EMIG members assisted during the resident practical exams at the simulation center. They helped with IV placement, setting up defibrillators, drawing medications, chest compressions, assisting with ventilating patients after intubation, etc. Other schools
reserve the mannequins for student use to simulate resuscitations.

Cricothyrotomy

Students used pig tracheas to practice cricothyrotomies.  Splint and Cast Workshop focused on practicing different casting and splinting techniques. This can be done in conjunction with the ortho interest group.

Primary and Secondary Surveys

Introduction to the primary and secondary surveys. This can be lead by 4th year medical students. Some schools use the simulation centers.

Joint Injections

Joint injection workshop where students used mannequins to practice injections. This can be done in conjunction with the ortho interest group.

Lumbar Puncture

Lumbar puncture technique taught in the simulation center.

Cadaver Lab

Cadavers (if available) can be used to practice chest tubes, cricothyrotomies, IO needle placement, etc.

Obstetrics

Simulation center and mannequins were used for obstetric scenarios and esuscitations. This can be done in conjunction with the OB/GYN interest group.

Mass Casualty

A mock mass casualty experience was designed where students serve as victims. Students and residents evaluated and triaged patients.

ECGs

This was timed to correspond with the physiology block. This workshop was lecture based and discussed the fundamentals of ECG as well as interpretation of common ECGs. Other workshops focus more on lead placement.

Integration with ED Shift

This program incorporates skills workshops followed by a 3 hour shift in the ED. Students are paired with a resident, and if a procedure arises, the students are
given an opportunity to perform the procedure. Students can also be paired with nurses to practice peripheral IVs.

EMS Elective

Students do several ride alongs with local paramedics and receive school credit. Students mainly ride on the ambulance to observe. The elective also includes several lunch lectures on EMS.

Wilderness EM

Students have several workshops in the mountains on basic concepts relating to stabilization and transportation in wilderness EM. Taught by several EM  residents/attendings. This elective also includes a few lunch lectures.

First Aid Course

Advanced first aid course for first year medical students.

ACLS

4th year medical students get certified in ACLS. The certification involves running codes on mannequins in simulation centers.

International

Clinical work abroad relating to emergency medicine. Alternatively, this could involve research abroad relating to EM.

ED Shadowing

Shadowing residents in the ED for two shifts. This is open to first and second year medical students. This is available as a paid internship at other schools.

Research

Research relating to emergency medicine can be counted for credit.

Toxicology

Toxicology rotation open to fourth year medical students. Includes lectures discussing recognition and management of common toxidromes, conference attendance, and clinical work.

Dive Medicine

The hyperbarics EM fellow and wilderness medicine fellow run this 2-week course.

• The first week is didactics along with tours of various chambers.
• The second week certifies students to dive.

Experienced divers are still encouraged to take the course as the 2nd week they can receive a rescue diver certification.

EM Basics

Elective for first and second year medical students.
Four week course introducing basic EM skills (splinting, suturing, IV placement, etc) and the science behind them.

Ultrasound

Elective for second year students. This consists of a semester long course introducing the basics of US and clinical practice.

Introduction to EM

Introduction for local middle school and high school students. This includes brief PPT presentation, ultrasound lab, suturing bananas, etc.

Community Health Fair

Participation at the annual community health fair. Students offer free blood pressure screenings, distribute laminated cards with what to do in an emergency, and sell t-shirts.

Med Reconciliations

Students helped community members make a list of their prescriptions to carry with them in a wallet for easy access in case of emergency.

Drinking and Driving

“Not just another drink” outreach event. Students educated community on effects of alcohol and responsible drinking.

Kids in Clinic

Students invited local school kids to “clinic” to discuss different body systems. Different interest groups did different “departments”. For example, EM did bones
and fractures, use of crutches, and Xrays.

CPR Training

This can be offered for free or for fundraising. CPR trained individuals can become AHA certified CPR instructors and can go out to churches or other social groups and offer CPR or first aid courses.