Can J Emerg Med
-
Review
Youth violence secondary prevention initiatives in emergency departments: a systematic review.
Youth violence continues to trouble Canadians. Emergency department (ED) visits by youth after a violent injury may represent a "teachable moment," and thus secondary violence prevention interventions may be effective. We conducted a systematic review to identify the success rates of any interventions, the populations likely to benefit and the outcome measures used. ⋯ Future research is necessary to help EDs capitalize on the opportunity to effectively reduce youth violence.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Do beta-blockers reduce short-term mortality following acute myocardial infarction? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a major cause of death and beta-blockers are known to reduce long-term mortality in post-AMI patients. We sought to determine whether patients receiving beta-blockers acutely (within 72 h) following AMI had a lower mortality rate at 6 weeks than patients receiving placebo. ⋯ Acute intervention with beta-blockers does not result in a statistically significant short-term survival benefit following AMI but may be beneficial for low-risk (Killip class I) patients.