Can J Emerg Med
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How do we define competence in emergency medicine (EM), and how do we know when a resident has achieved it? In recent years, the idea of physician competence has become widely recognized as being multidimensional. This has resulted in an emphasis on competency-based education and assessment. ⋯ Sample behaviours representative of core competencies commonly assessed in EM training are matched to appropriate assessment tools. This review may serve as an introductory resource for EM clinicians, teachers and educators involved in EM trainee assessment.
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Review Comparative Study
Diagnostic accuracy of clinical prediction rules to exclude acute coronary syndrome in the emergency department setting: a systematic review.
We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of clinical prediction rules to exclude acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department (ED) setting. ⋯ Current prediction rules for ACS have substantial methodological limitations and have not been successfully implemented in the clinical setting. Future methodologically sound studies are needed to guide clinical practice.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Does a waiting room video about what to expect during an emergency department visit improve patient satisfaction?
We created an instructional waiting room video that explained what patients should expect during their emergency department (ED) visit and sought to determine whether preparing patients using this video would 1) improve satisfaction, 2) decrease perceived waiting room times and 3) increase calls to an outpatient referral line in an ambulatory population. ⋯ Preparing patients for their ED experience by describing the ED process of care through a waiting room video can improve ED patient satisfaction and the knowledge of outpatient clinic resources in an ambulatory population. Future studies should research the implementation of this educational intervention in a randomized fashion.
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Our objective was to compare the emergency care provided by a nurse practitioner (NP) with that provided by emergency physicians (EPs), to identify emergency department (ED) patients appropriate for autonomous NP practice and to acquire data to facilitate the development of the clinical scope of practice recommendations for ED practice for NPs. ⋯ With the exception of follow up-related complaints, simple lacerations and isolated sore throats, NP care differed substantially from EP care. Although NPs with extensive emergency experience and training might ultimately be able to function as autonomous ED care providers, Canadian EDs currently developing job descriptions for emergency NPs should focus on a model of collaborative practice with EPs.