AfCEM 2018 – Day 1: Opening Plenaries & Education
https://badem.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/AfCEM-2018-2.jpg 2481 1789 Kat Evans Kat Evans https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b8a10892c5764923b0131dc35daead18?s=96&d=monsterid&r=gIntroductions:


Book: “Oxford AFEM Handbook of Acute and Emergency Care”
The new and exciting 2nd edition of this incredibly helpful handbook was launched at the event by the editors Prof Lee Wallis, Dr Keegan Checkett and Prof Teri Reynolds. The first edition was published in 2013 and was disseminated into the hands of frontline workers across Africa. The book was available to be bought at the conference and hopefully will be available to be bought online soon, keep an eye out for it on www.afem.info They are also looking for sponsors to help get more copies of the 2018 version printed and distributed.

Book/Resource/Training Course: “Basic Emergency Care: Approach to the acutely ill and injured”
Book/Resource/Training Course: “Emergency Unit management in low-resource settings”
Defining and building EM – using a moving target: James Ducharme (Canada & President of IFEM)
Who we are, where we are going: The identity (r)evolution of emergency care in Africa – Dr Heike Geduld @heikegeduld (South Africa President of AFEM)
Unpacking the essential elements of emergency nursing in Africa: Petra Brysiewicz (South Africa) @petrabrysiewicz
Stream 1: Novel education methods
Medical education during the digital era – Prof Stephen Rulisa (Rwanda)
Teaching procedures in EM: 7 steps to success: Mindi Guptill
Simulation Education: Simple solutions for effective education: Dustin Smith
Breaking barriers in #MedEd: Better educator… better clinician: Janis Tupesis
Postgraduate EM teaching in Botswana: Megan Cox

No more snores from the back of the Room: Transform your classroom teaching for better student retention and attention: Amelia Pousson (USA)

SMACC SYDNEY
https://badem.co.za/wp-content/themes/anemos/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Craig Wylie Craig Wylie https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e606f94633923ca39e572679d881abe0?s=96&d=monsterid&r=gSMACC Sydney 25 - 29 March 2019
SMACC Sydney…… “Will be the best SMACC yet”
Ticket Ballot opens in just over 8 hours….
Don’t miss out, register on the SMACC Website on Monday
The greatest conference!!
I attended my first SMACC in 2016 and man it was great!!!!
A community of people that truly believe in sharing their knowledge, empowering other people to educate just as well or even better than what they do.
I want to say come and attend this conference and learn, but that will not be true. Come and attend this conference and become part of a community of learning.
SMACC 2019 will see our very own @kat__evans speak on the main stage.
Hope to see you there.
badEM Team
Trending Towards Togetherness
Ubuntu
We are still so proud of Annet Alenyo’s talk about UBUNTU last year…..
#badEMfest18: Human/kind – Andy Tagg
https://badem.co.za/wp-content/themes/anemos/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Jo Park-Ross Jo Park-Ross https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0351afdbac39f9910e9004b40381265?s=96&d=monsterid&r=gGuest Author: Andy Tagg
When Kat Evans came and spoke at DFTB17 on the state of emergency medicine in South Africa she was all abuzz about this new conference that the badEM crew were going to put on. As she had made the effort and travelled all the way to Australia I thought it only right to return the favour. I’d said that I was happy to speak about “anything paediatric” but I think the team only read the word “anything”.
I’d often written about the importance of the soft skills in medicine but to talk about “How to be kind” and in just 15 minutes? That was a real challenge.
So I delved into the literature about the benefits of kindness – to ourselves and to others. I found out how it made us live longer, healthier and happy lives and I came up with a way to frame it so we could all practice a little kindness every day.

Stop
Put your notes down and pay attention to the person in front of you. Commit to giving them your time and attention.

Look
Actually look at your patient – look them in the eyes. We make hundreds of non-verbal cues every minute. If you don’t look at them then you won’t see them.

Listen
Don’t interrupt. Doctors generally interrupt their patients within 18 seconds of the start of the consultation. Try to listen without judgement, allow the patient to talk out their piece and clarify your understanding of the situation.

Think
Everyone has a story to tell. To most of our patients this visit to the doctors is the most important thing that will happen to them this year, if ever. Try and put yourself in their place.

Andy Tagg is an Emergency Physician with a special interest in education and lifelong learning. Andy is one of the founding members of the excellent pediatric blog Don’t Forget The Bubbles. Read more from Andy here.
Dare to research
https://badem.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/AdobeStock_135801554-e1527017907107.jpeg 1920 1281 Willem Stassen Willem Stassen https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/38c944ce032af5c17bf315a4aec94502?s=96&d=monsterid&r=gThere is a paucity of scientific evidence originating from the African continent. (1) For evidence emanating from Africa, African researchers have very poor access to these publications. (1) In addition, the context within the African continent and other low- to middle-income countries, are vastly different to that of higher-income countries, and the evidence produced in these settings may not be transferrable to us. (More on this here).
For these reasons it is essential for African researchers to start generating our own evidence that is applicable to our own context. A couple of barriers have been identified to performing research in the African EM setting. (2) These mainly include a lack of funding, training and time. (2) Let’s be fair, the amount of patients that we need to see with limited resources, makes research an unachievable luxury. But research does not have to be complicated. We don’t have to start with the multi-national, multi-centre, prehospital randomised controlled trial. Start with describing what is happening in your specific system, or what resources you have to work with, or what patients you see. There are many examples of these published in AfJEM, Africa’s only EM journal. This kind of data is essential so that we can continue gaining contextual insight and, you cannot solve a problem which you have not yet described or do not understand yet.
In this manner, research might be easier than you think!
For some online courses on research, check out:
https://www.coursera.org/learn/research-methods
https://www.coursera.org/learn/clinical-research
https://www.coursera.org/learn/quantitative-methods
https://www.coursera.org/learn/qualitative-methods
https://elearning.trree.org/
I recently did a podcast at #badEMfest18 on this topic in prehospital care, with FOAMmedic.
- Bruijns S, Maesela M, Sinha S, Banner M. Poor Access for African Researchers to African Emergency Care Publications: A Cross-sectional Study. West J Emerg Med. 2017;18(6):1018–24. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5811%2Fwestjem.2017.8.34930. PMID: 290855321.
- van Hoving DJ, Brysiewicz P. African emergency care providers’ attitudes and practices towards research. African J Emerg Med. 2017;7(1):9–14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2017.01.003.
#badEMfest18: Do they know its EM? – Heike Geduld
https://badem.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Heike-Geduld-Website-Thumbnail.png 431 431 Jo Park-Ross Jo Park-Ross https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0351afdbac39f9910e9004b40381265?s=96&d=monsterid&r=gDo they know it's EM?
A few months ago I was approached to do a talk on global Emergency Medicine (EM) at the then still mythical BadEMfest. My comfort zone is Afripositive EM and the trigger for the talk actually came from a discussion with a colleague who is an amazing EM physician and person, and listening to him being overawed and insecure in the face of visitors, to the point of questioning what he has to give. The aim of the talk was to inspire and motivate and to remind Africans to own our version of EM, our knowledge and experiences – to feel “good enough”.
The message of the talk is simple.
Authentic African EM
EM should be appropriate to context, to the needs of the population we serve. In SA, that means that much of our priorities in teaching and policies should be around infectious diseases, trauma and non-communicable disease.
Woke EM.
EM should be responsive to the racial and social injustices within society and more specifically in our profession. In South Africa EM training struggles with recruiting Black African candidates. There are only 7 Black Emergency Physicians out of 125 registered. We need to work at understanding why this is. There are also issues around race, gender, religion and sexual orientation that we need to deal with. We need to be conscious of our own biases and how our view of the world is shaped by Western views and media.
Proudly African EM.
We should be proud of what we have achieved in developing EM in South Africa and the rest of Africa.
There is no right way to be an EM doctor, nurse or paramedic. We cannot judge ourselves by the standards of another population, another resourced system or another healthcare culture. We only need to be what is needed here and now. And it’s okay to have Christmas with snow or with sunshine!
Heike Geduld
Heike Geduld is a proudly African Emergency Physician working in Cape Town, South Africa.
An Update on Emergency Care in South Africa
https://badem.co.za/wp-content/themes/anemos/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Craig Wylie Craig Wylie https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e606f94633923ca39e572679d881abe0?s=96&d=monsterid&r=gCritical care transfers CANNOT be a step down in care – we need to match their care/equipment. @maryna_venter #emssa2017
— Jo Park-Ross | badEM (@JoParkRoss) October 3, 2017
Critical care "transfers": Is it that easy? When you think transfer you often think spaghetti. @maryna_venter #emssa2017 pic.twitter.com/0iOhRui8aB
— Kyleigh Rodrigues (@Kylz13) October 3, 2017
SAfrican critical care – transfers should be done by those who are appropriately educated. @maryna_venter #emssa2017
— Jo Park-Ross | badEM (@JoParkRoss) October 3, 2017
Often the equipment we have available or we think we need is not appropriate for a critical care retrieval. @maryna_venter #emssa2017 pic.twitter.com/2TQjvr7JgJ
— Kyleigh Rodrigues (@Kylz13) October 3, 2017
We need to advance critical care training in South Africa @maryna_venter #emssa2017 pic.twitter.com/gDa0pG5zfz
— Jo Park-Ross | badEM (@JoParkRoss) October 3, 2017
This post was co-created during the EMSSA/ECSSA conference that took place in Sun City.
Peadiatric burns: A summary of emergency treatment
https://badem.co.za/wp-content/themes/anemos/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Jo Park-Ross Jo Park-Ross https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0351afdbac39f9910e9004b40381265?s=96&d=monsterid&r=g
Interested in learning more?
The South African Burns Society runs excellent courses teaching the emergency treatment of severe burns. The courses are aimed at doctors, nurses and paramedics.
Click here to learn more.
EMSSA Day 1 review – Co-created with #badEM
https://badem.co.za/wp-content/themes/anemos/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Craig Wylie Craig Wylie https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e606f94633923ca39e572679d881abe0?s=96&d=monsterid&r=gChris Stein: We have to embrace change in EMS – disaster is looming if we don't. #EMSSA2017
— Jo Park-Ross | badEM (@JoParkRoss) October 3, 2017
Some important questions about our future from @chris_stein_za – we need to encourage talk about answers! #emssa2017 pic.twitter.com/KgdDDKdq5u
— Jo Park-Ross | badEM (@JoParkRoss) October 3, 2017
The monster of violence against EC personnel. #emssa2017 pic.twitter.com/LCkKS3sKUB
— Kyleigh Rodrigues (@Kylz13) October 3, 2017
What is the solution for EC personnel under siege? #emssa2017 pic.twitter.com/yy9gj6oi8G
— Kyleigh Rodrigues (@Kylz13) October 3, 2017
Community engagement: we need to engage elders in the community. We need the community on our side. #EMSSA2017
— Jo Park-Ross | badEM (@JoParkRoss) October 3, 2017
We need to look at situational awareness for our paramedic graduates-they need it to be safe.Be a human first&a paramedic second. #EMSSA2017
— Jo Park-Ross | badEM (@JoParkRoss) October 3, 2017
Pain management in the SA setting. Limit drugs to a particular indication. #emssa2017 @epicEMC pic.twitter.com/YT7QbWscYi
— Kyleigh Rodrigues (@Kylz13) October 3, 2017
Practitioners need to stop being dogmatic when it comes to pain management. Stop the "we've always done it this way" #emssa2017 @epicEMC
— Kyleigh Rodrigues (@Kylz13) October 3, 2017
@EMSSA2017 #emssa2017 , Manage the hypertensive patient that presents at your ED so they dont present in Cardiac Failure 6 months later
— mande toubkin (@mtoubkin) October 3, 2017
Moving through suffering towards resilience: The Compassionate Care Initiative with Tim Cunningham #emssa2017
— Kyleigh Rodrigues (@Kylz13) October 3, 2017
Detachment from the human side of medicine is a sign that you are losing parts of yourself. #emssa2017 compassionate care and connection NB
— Kayleigh Lachenicht (@epicEMC) October 3, 2017
Train compassion and the result may be more resilient responders! #emssa2017 pic.twitter.com/MhQfh4CbJE
— Kyleigh Rodrigues (@Kylz13) October 3, 2017
The Medical Pause … acknowledge when a patient dies with silence. #EMSSA2017 Insightful. Thank you Tim Cunningham
— Lara Goldstein (@drlaragoldstein) October 3, 2017
Why are the dinosaurs leaving? Money, Trauma, glass ceilings, regulation around qualifications #emssa2017
— Kayleigh Lachenicht (@epicEMC) October 3, 2017
Here's the writing behind it: https://t.co/pBUJwVrzQY #IPAC2017IAPC pic.twitter.com/qYDRvqgCyZ
— Julian Stodd (@julianstodd) August 21, 2017
The sepsis 6 in 60 minutes! Early care and maybe a little bit of fluid. @willem_stassen #emssa2017 pic.twitter.com/xcRolGWaA7
— Kyleigh Rodrigues (@Kylz13) October 3, 2017
60% of children seen in an urban South African outpatient department had been taken to a traditional healer first. #EMSSA2017
— Jennifer (@coffeeheadaches) October 3, 2017
I have SO MUCH to learn about toxicology in South Africa, wow. #EMSSA2017
— Jennifer (@coffeeheadaches) October 3, 2017
#EMSSA2017 is killing me lol pic.twitter.com/pjY8zAupW8
— Alan Tucker (@ParaMan911) October 3, 2017
Health, wealth and emergency medicine in the 21st Century, with Simon Carley
https://badem.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Simon.jpg 247 249 Guest Author Guest Author https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45c5bf2bf9bd8591957fe6b263cb284d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=gGuest post by Stevan Bruijns from AfJEM
I caught up with Prof Simon Carley who will be presenting a keynote at the Emergency Medicine Society of South Africa’s annual meeting in October 2017. As well as being an accomplished public speaker, Simon is probably best known as the Senior Editor of the St.Emlyn’s blog and podcast. His day job includes being a professor of Emergency Medicine, consultant in emergency medicine at the Manchester Royal Infirmary as well as consultant in paediatric emergency medicine at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital amongst other things.
I asked Simon a few questions about his upcoming keynote.
What are the key message(s) from your talk?
I’ve been asked to talk about how the pattern of disease is changing in emergency medicine and how that’s going to affect how we practice and thus where the challenges are in developing the emergency physicians of the future. We could look at this in many ways of course. New diseases, politics and technology could change many aspects of how we practice but I’ve been asked to bring some of the lessons we’ve learned about changing pathologies in Europe and the USA to the conference as my friends and colleagues in South Africa are really seeing the impact of the sort of common presentations we see. I think there are three main messages to take away which I hope to illustrate through us all reflecting on change and some clinical cases:
- Population and practice are intimately linked in emergency medicine (and population is changing fast),
- Affluence brings new diseases and difficulties to the door of the emergency centre (and they are rising fast),
- The emergency physician of the future will not just need to be an algorithmic resuscitator, but rather an expert in understanding and communicating uncertainty, complexity and expectation.
Why is this an important message?
In all honesty it should not be that surprising and yet it probably is to most of us. As emergency physicians we tend to practice in the moment. We deal with the patient or problem in front of us for surprisingly short periods of time. In reality major change is all around us and the external pressures on our services are constantly influencing the highs and lows of our systems. As educators and practitioners of the future we need to think about how we adapt and adjust to make sure that we are fit for purpose for all our futures. To do that we need to understand what it will mean to be an emergency physician amidst an ever changing world. On a world level more people now die due to the effects of over-eating as opposed to malnutrition. This is an incredible achievement for humanity and yet it brings a myriad of problems for medicine. As emergency physicians we risk being swept away on a tidal wave of apparent success, tinged with the pathology of excess and affluence.
How does this message relate to African emergency care?
Africa is a real mix of patient populations that are developing at differing rates. This is a real challenge for emergency physicians. We are also seeing life expectancy rates undergoing phenomenal change as a result of anti-retroviral treatment and better living conditions/ health care (for some but clearly not for all). The populations that are doing well are increasingly living long enough and well enough to develop so called diseases of affluence. It is unclear whether the impact on this for clinical practice, societal expectation and the distribution of resources will lead to a narrowing or widening of the health care gap. As emergency physicians we are likely to be the first to know, the last to be consultants and the most likely to shoulder any adverse burden. The message for African emergency care is very much that geography and life opportunities (for whatever reason) are going to be the major determinants of health for some time to come. The inequity of opportunity and access to healthcare combined with the rising expectations of increasingly connected societies will challenge us all.
What can we do?
We need to prepare ourselves, our systems and our young aspirational trainees to a future where emergency medicine cannot be practiced by algorithm and flowchart. The emergency clinician of the future must know the evidence for their practice, but more importantly must know what to do when the decisions are more complex and uncertain than any algorithmic approach to healthcare might suggest
Join us for the whole conference next week or just come for the day. Details at emssa2017.co.za/
Follow Simon on twitter: @EMManchester
by Stevan Bruijns (ed)







