Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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To determine whether the institution of a structured board review program is associated with improved in-service examination scores by residents at an emergency medicine (EM) residency program. ⋯ In this study, EM-1 in-service scores improved in association with the institution of a structured board review program. This formalized didactic program may increase the knowledge base and test performance of EM-1 residents. A favorable effect on EM-2 and EM-3 resident scores was not seen.
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To determine the morningness-eveningness (ME) distribution of emergency medicine (EM) residents. ⋯ EM residents are distributed differently from the normal population in terms of their ME preferences, tending slightly toward eveningness. The importance of this distribution in EM residents in unknown. A longitudinal follow-up of this cohort may help to determine the association of ME preference with overall practice satisfaction, tolerance of shift work, and career longevity.
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To compare and contrast the patient characteristics of ED patients at low risk for acute cardiac ischemia who were assigned to a chest pain observation service vs those admitted to a monitored inpatient bed for "rule-out acute myocardial infarction" (R/O MI). ⋯ Patients evaluated in a chest pain observation service appear to have different clinical characteristics than other individuals admitted to a monitored inpatient bed for "R/O MI." Investigators should address differences in clinical characteristics when making outcome comparisons between these 2 patient groups.
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A case of bilious vomiting in a 9-month-old male is reported. The differential diagnosis of infantile bilious vomiting is reviewed, and appropriate diagnostic studies are discussed. ⋯ The common manifestation of this pediatric surgical emergency may vary considerably from classic descriptions. Bilious emesis in infants must be considered a surgical emergency until proven otherwise; intussusception may manifest as bilious vomiting only.