EM Clerkship

By Zack Olson, MD and Michael Estephan, MD

Education Medicine

What's EM Clerkship about?

The purpose of this podcast is to help medical students crush their emergency medicine clerkship and get top 1/3 on their SLOE. The content is organized in an approach to format and covers different chief complaints, critical diagnoses, and skills important for your clerkship.

5.0

509 ratings

Download our free app to listen on your phone

LAST EPISODE

The Rank List

01.20.2023

This episode will answer 3 big pre-Match Day questions: 1. How do I go about making my rank list? 2. What about post-interview communication both from and to programs? 3. How does this whole thing called the Match actually work? ...

EM Clerkship episodes:

01.20.2023 The Rank List This episode will answer 3 big pre-Match Day questions: 1. How do I go about making my rank list? 2. What about post-interview communication both from and to programs? 3. How does this whole thing called the Match actually work? ...
01.16.2023 Aortic Dissection (Deep Dive R6 MW) Aortic Dissection – when there is a tear in the intima layer of the aorta and the blood dissects the intima away from the media creating a false lumen in the aorta * Historical Features * Be VERY suspicious with ...
01.02.2023 Round 6 (MW) – Weakness You are working at Clerkship General when the base command phone rings – “Hey doc just wanted to give you a heads up on this stroke alert we’re bringing you – we have a 70yo M with sudden onset left ...
12.16.2022 New Years Resolutions Not your typical wellness episode – by Zack
12.02.2022 Round 5 (MW) – Leg Pain You are working at Clerkship General Hospital when EMS calls in a female with opioid overdose, but she won’t stop complaining of leg pain… Initial Vitals: Temp: 98 BP: 120/80 HR: 89 RR: 20 O2 Sat: 100% Critical Actions: * ...
11.15.2022 DKA (Deep Dive R4 MW) Diabetic Ketoacidosis – hyperglycemia, ketosis, and anion gap metabolic acidosis * Don’t forget about euglycemic DKA (especially in setting of SGLT2 inhibitor) or mimics such as alcoholic ketoacidosis * Treatment of the ketoacidosis * Insulin (usually a drip or bolus ...
11.01.2022 Round 4 (MW) – Shortness of Breath You are working a shift at Clerkship General when the charge nurse comes and grabs you to see a 24yo male who appears to be in respiratory distress. Critical Actions: * Diagnose DKA* Replete potassium* Start insulin AFTER potassium repletion* ...
10.24.2022 Interviews Part 2 – Acing your interview Before interview day, do your research on programs and interviews and reflect on the way in which you want to portray yourself. On interview day, have a cheat sheet with notes about your conversations, questions, and pro-cons. Remember to stay ...
10.19.2022 Black Box Warnings (Deep Dive R3 MW) show notes coming soon
10.03.2022 Round 3 (MW) – MVC Show comments to be posted shortly
09.29.2022 Interviews Part 1 – Crafting your schedule * Understand the timeline – research programs to find out when they extend invites and when they host interviews* Prepare for invitations – set up email and text notifications, get a calendar* Accept invitations – respond promptly and keep your ...
09.18.2022 Ectopic Pregnancy (Deep Dive R2 MW) Summary of Key Points 1. You should consider ectopic pregnancy in every patient who is capable of bearing children 2. If a patient of child bearing age presents with severe abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding and is either hemodynamically unstable ...
09.01.2022 Round 2 (MW) – Abdominal Pain You are working at Clerkship General when the next chart gets handed to you – a 31 year old female presenting with abdominal pain. Initial Vitals: BP: 109/65 HR: 96 RR: 21 O2: 99% Temp: 99.1F Critical Actions: * Obtain ...
08.17.2022 Selecting Programs Things to consider when selecting residency programs to apply to: 1. What type of program (County, Community, Academic) 2. What length of program (3 year vs. 4 year) 3. Location 4. Culture and Lifestyle 5. Niches in EMFurther Resources: EMRA ...
08.17.2022 Competitiveness 3 Steps to assessing your competitiveness for matching in an EM residency: 1. Get a good advisor. 2. Look at the data. 3. Maximize your potential. Further Reading: EMRA – Apply smarter not harderEMRA HangoutsEMRA Student-Resident Mentorship ProgramNRMP Charting the ...
08.15.2022 Should I go into EM? Pt 2 The future of emergency medicine seems bleak. Listen to Zack’s perspective on the future of our beloved specialty in part TWO of this two-part series.
08.01.2022 Round 1 (MW) – Shortness of Breath You are working your FIRST SHIFT EVER at Clerkship General hospital when a 60 year old female presents with shortness of breath. Initial Vitals: * HR: 92* RR: 28* BP: 120/80* O2%: 89%* Temp: 101.2F Critical Actions: * Obtain full ...
07.19.2022 Should I go into EM? – Part 1 The future of emergency medicine seems bleak. Listen to Zack’s perspective on the future of our beloved specialty in part one of this two-part series.
07.01.2022 Round 35 (Pediatric Trauma) You are working at rural Clerkship General when you receive a radio call from EMS – 7yo male from a severe bus accident with a large scalp laceration, unable to control the hemorrhage. Initial Vitals * HR: 136* RR: 22* ...
06.15.2022 Bradycardia (Deep Dive R34) Asymptomatic Bradycardia – usually don’t treat Symptomatic Stable Bradycardia – atropine, further workup Symptomatic Unstable Bradycardia – SIMULTANEOUS treatment with medications and electricity * Meds: Trial of atropine, then either epinephrine, dopeamine, or isoproterenol* Electricity: Transcutaneous Pace –> TVP DDX ...
06.09.2022 ERAS 2 of 2 – How to fill out the CV section What is most important to programs from ERAS? SLOEs, clinical grades on EM rotations and residency interviews. How do you look good on interviews? Have a thorough ERAS application that gives interviewers lots to ask about! On ERAS, there are ...
06.03.2022 ERAS 1 of 2 – The 8 parts of the application ERAS Pt 1: The 8 Parts of the ApplicationThere are 8 parts to the application: * Personal and Biographic Information – mostly self-explanatory* Curriculum Vitae (Resume) – keep an updated CV throughout medical school to makethis easy to fill out, ...
06.01.2022 Round 34 (Shortness of Breath / Bradycardia) You are working at Clerkship General when you are called to see a 70 yo male who is presenting with shortness of breath. Initial Vitals * Temp 98.0* HR 36* RR 28* BP 80/35* O2 82% Critical Actions * Interpret ...
05.15.2022 Ventilator Alarms (Deep Dive R33) DOPES D-Displacement – endotracheal tube dislodges from trachea, or falls into right mainstem bronchus O-Obstruction – Mucous plugging, bronchospasm, patient biting tube P –Pneumothorax – Look out for pneumothorax, it can be subtle E – Equipment – Disconnected/unpowered equipment, ensure ...
05.02.2022 Personal Statement Pt 2 – Brainstorming Ideas Brainstorming ideas – how to make it personal * What makes me unique? 2. What are some specific experiences I’ve had in my life that have either made me want to do EM or given me the skills that will ...
05.02.2022 Personal Statement Pt 1 – Dos and Donts Welcome to EM Clerkship Maddie Watts! The personal statement should be personal and should make a statement. * Start early* Use solid organizational structure* Address the big three questions – who? what? why?* Check for grammar mistakes* Explain any red ...
05.01.2022 Round 33 (Respiratory Distress) You are working at Clerkship General when you are called to the resuscitation bay for a 55yo M presenting in respiratory distress. Initial Vitals * Temp 99.9* HR 110* RR 22* BP 122/82* O2 82% on BiPAP 10/5 100%FiO2 Critical ...
04.15.2022 Toxic Plants (Deep Dive R32) Cardiac Glycoside containing plants : Foxglove, Lilly of the Valley, Oleander, Squill * Contain cardiac glycosides, which act as a negative chronotrope as well as a positive inotrope.* Patients present with nausea, vomiting, visual changes, bradycardia/arrhythmia, and may develop hyperkalemia ...
04.01.2022 Round 32 (Pediatric Vomiting) You are working at Clerkship General when you see your next patient : a 3 year old male accompanied by his father with chief complaint of vomiting. Initial Vitals * Temp 98.6* HR 50* RR 20* BP 95/55* O2 100% ...
03.15.2022 Opioid Use Disorder (Deep Dive R31) * Opioid overdose is the number one leading cause of death in adults under the age of 50. * Many ED Physicians fail to recognize that offering MAT (medication assisted therapy) to victims of opiate overdose is one of the ...
03.01.2022 Round 31 (Altered Mental Status) Critical Actions: * Administer Naloxone* Minimize Unnecessary Testing* Discuss options for Rehab* Offer opioid replacement therapy* Provide Social Support Further Reading: Buprenorphine – EMDocs Naloxone – EMDocs Initiating Opioid Treatment in the ED – ACEP
02.15.2022 Atrial Fibrillation (Deep Dive R30) AFib with Rapid Ventricular Rate (RVR) – Rate >110 Primary AFib – Patients symptoms or their hemodynamic instability is due to the AFib itself. Treatment is by rate or rhythm control. Secondary AFib – Patients AFib rate or their hemodynamic ...
02.01.2022 Round 30 (Chest Pain) You are working a shift at Clerkship General Hospital when you go see your next patient, a 70 year old male presenting with chest pain. Initial Vitals * Temp 98.7* HR 140* RR 20* BP 125/85* O2 99% Critical Actions ...
01.15.2022 tPA (Deep Dive R29) tPA usage is controversial. Listen to find out why. Read more to form your own opinions. Episode Sources: After Re-Analysis, No Trials Show Efficacy of tPA in Acute Ischemic Stroke Clinical Policy: Use of Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator for the ...
01.01.2022 Round 29 (Weakness) Initial Assessment: * Obtain Vitals and blood glucose level* Time of onset (important for tPA/TNK vs thrombectomy)* Neurologic and Cardiac Examination / NIHSS* do not delay head CT to complete NIHSS, can always finish after CT* Assess contraindications for tPA ...
12.15.2021 Trauma (Deep Dive R28) ATLS – Advanced Traumatic Life Support Primary Survey * Airway* Breathing* Circulation* Disability* Exposure Secondary Survey * Head to Toe Examination* Look for injury patterns and important injuries, such as* Battle Sign (post auricular ecchymosis)* Raccoon Eyes (infraorbital ecchymosis)* Hemotympanum* ...
12.01.2021 Round 28 (Burn) You are working a shift at ABEM General when you receive a call from EMS over the radio for a patient involved in a house fire. Initial Vitals * Temp 99.0* HR 150* RR 40* BP 90/50* O2 95% Critical ...
11.15.2021 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (Deep Dive R27) * 50% of cases of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is caused by common STIs (Gonorrhea, Chlamydia ) but up to 50% is caused by native vaginal flora/other organisms* No SINGLE historic, physical, or laboratory finding is both sensitive and specific ...
11.05.2021 Round 27 (Back Pain, Dysuria, Knee Pain) You are working a shift at ABEM General when three patients check in simultaneously at the start of your shift at 6AM. Initial Vitals#1 (Ms. Taylor, 65F with Back Pain) * Temp 98.8* HR 120* RR 22* BP 210/110* O2 ...
10.15.2021 Cardiac Tamponade (Deep Dive R26) Cardiac Tamponade Cardiac Tamponade – A physiological state caused by a pericardial effusion in which the pressure in the pericardial sac is higher than the pressure inside the right sided chambers of the heart, leading to impaired filling, decreased cardiac ...
10.01.2021 Round 26 (Stridor, Vomiting, Shock) Case Introduction You are working a shift at your local free-standing emergency room when a family of three checks in to be seen (a father and his two sons). Initial Vitals#1 (Chris, 18mo with stridor) * Temp 100.4F* HR 120* ...
09.15.2021 Hyponatremia (Deep Dive R25) Hyponatremia in the ED Four questions to ask yourself: * Is the patient symptomatic from their hyponatremia (confusion, nausea/vomiting, ams, seizures, etc)?* If not, outpatient followup (unless super low)* Is the patient having severe neurologic symptoms from their hyponatremia? (seizures, ...
09.01.2021 Round 25 (Seizure) CAUTION: THESE NOTES CONTAIN SPOILERS!! Case Introduction You are working a shift at EM Clerkship General when you are called to the waiting room by the charge nurse for a seizing patient. Initial Vitals * Temp 99.0F* HR 97* RR ...
08.16.2021 Acetaminophen Overdose (Deep Dive R24) Acetaminophen Overdose & Toxicology Pearls * History: Figure out how much was taken, what time the ingestion occurred, and if any other toxins were ingested* Physical Exam: Perform a regular physical exam, and in addition, perform the toxicologic physical exam!* ...
08.01.2021 Round 24 (Altered Mental Status) CAUTION: THESE NOTES CONTAIN SPOILERS!! Case Introduction You are working a shift at EM Clerkship General when you receive a radio call from EMS who are bringing in a young female who was found unresponsive. Initial Vitals * Temp 98.0F* ...
07.15.2021 Asymptomatic Hypertension (Deep Dive R23) Asymptomatic Hypertension * Make SURE the patient isn’t having symptoms of end organ dysfunction, which could make this hypertensive emergency (confusion, severe headache, blurry vision, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, seizures during pregnancy, etc). * ACEP clinical policy states, ...
07.01.2021 Round 23 (High Blood Pressure) CAUTION: THESE NOTES CONTAIN SPOILERS!! Case Introduction You are working a shift at EM Clerkship General when you are handed the next chart, a 60 year old male presenting with high blood pressure. Initial Vitals * Temp 98.0F* HR 90* ...
06.15.2021 Neonatal Resuscitation (Deep Dive R22) Neonatal Resuscitation THIS IS A BASIC FRAMEWORK AND IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE * EVALUATE* Is the newborn crying/breathing spontaneously? Does the newborn have good tone? Is the newborn a term infant?* If YES, hand baby to mom for direct skin-to-skin.* If ...
06.01.2021 Round 22 (Cardiac Arrest) CAUTION: THESE NOTES CONTAIN SPOILERS!!! Case Introduction You are working a shift at EM Clerkship General when the triage nurse runs and grabs both you and your attending for a patient in triage who has active CPR in progress. Initial ...
05.15.2021 Torsades de Pointes (Deep Dive R21) Torsades de Pointes (TdP) A type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that is inherently unstable and often quickly degrades into ventricular fibrillation. It usually occurs in the setting of a prolonged QT interval, which can either be genetic or acquired. Treatment ...

Older episodes

EM Clerkship

What's EM Clerkship about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

EM Clerkship episodes:

The Rank List

Aortic Dissection (Deep Dive R6 MW)

Round 6 (MW) – Weakness

New Years Resolutions

Round 5 (MW) – Leg Pain

DKA (Deep Dive R4 MW)

Round 4 (MW) – Shortness of Breath

Interviews Part 2 – Acing your interview

Black Box Warnings (Deep Dive R3 MW)

Round 3 (MW) – MVC

Interviews Part 1 – Crafting your schedule

Ectopic Pregnancy (Deep Dive R2 MW)

Round 2 (MW) – Abdominal Pain

Selecting Programs

Competitiveness

Should I go into EM? Pt 2

Round 1 (MW) – Shortness of Breath

Should I go into EM? – Part 1

Round 35 (Pediatric Trauma)

Bradycardia (Deep Dive R34)

ERAS 2 of 2 – How to fill out the CV section

ERAS 1 of 2 – The 8 parts of the application

Round 34 (Shortness of Breath / Bradycardia)

Ventilator Alarms (Deep Dive R33)

Personal Statement Pt 2 – Brainstorming Ideas

Personal Statement Pt 1 – Dos and Donts

Round 33 (Respiratory Distress)

Toxic Plants (Deep Dive R32)

Round 32 (Pediatric Vomiting)

Opioid Use Disorder (Deep Dive R31)

Round 31 (Altered Mental Status)

Atrial Fibrillation (Deep Dive R30)

Round 30 (Chest Pain)

tPA (Deep Dive R29)

Round 29 (Weakness)

Trauma (Deep Dive R28)

Round 28 (Burn)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (Deep Dive R27)

Round 27 (Back Pain, Dysuria, Knee Pain)

Cardiac Tamponade (Deep Dive R26)

Round 26 (Stridor, Vomiting, Shock)

Hyponatremia (Deep Dive R25)

Round 25 (Seizure)

Acetaminophen Overdose (Deep Dive R24)

Round 24 (Altered Mental Status)

Asymptomatic Hypertension (Deep Dive R23)

Round 23 (High Blood Pressure)

Neonatal Resuscitation (Deep Dive R22)

Round 22 (Cardiac Arrest)

Torsades de Pointes (Deep Dive R21)

Other shows like EM Clerkship: