Avoiding burnout, major incident preparedness, and suicide post-ED contact: July 2025 Primary Survey
The NHS plans to set up mental health emergency departments throughout England. A survey discussed this episode highlights the importance of mental health assessments, finding that nearly a quarter of suicide deaths in a one year period had come after hospital or emergency department contact. Another survey raises the question, "How well is your ED prepared for a major incident?" and the statistics do not inspire confidence. Two more papers in this episode offer potential bulwarks against burnout of ED staff: global health outreach work, and self-rostered rotas. But there may be some downsides to watch out for too. Finally, a look at pulse oximetry for testicular torsion diagnosis.
Read the highlights: July 2025 Primary Survey
Contact with emergency departments and hospitals in England before suicide death: a retrospective cohort study
Global health experience of staff working in UK emergency care: a reflexive thematic analysis
A survey of major incident preparedness in English type 1 emergency departments
In emergency settings, does the use of testicular pulse oximetry aid diagnosis of testicular torsions?
Investigating the impact of self-rostering on EM trainee wellbeing and recovery: a national survey
The EMJ podcast is hosted by:
Dr. Richard Body, EMJ Deputy Editor, University of Manchester, UK (@richardbody)
Dr. Sarah Edwards, EMJ Semior Associate Editor and Social Media Editor, Royal Derby Hospital, UK (@drsarahedwards)
You can subscribe to the EMJ podcast on all podcast platforms to get the latest podcast every month. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the EMJ Podcast Apple (https://apple.co/4bfcMU0) or Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3ufutSL) page.
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Salbutamol for analgesia, low-tech randomisation and cannulation numbing: June 2025 Primary Survey
Can salbutamol be used be used to relieve pain in renal colic patients? Starting off this month's episode, a randomised trial seeks to find the answer. Then a topic of interest for anyone seeing patients with a phobia of needles, namely a study comparing coolant spray with topical anaesthetic cream for reducing pain from intravenous cannulation. Next, randomisation is a necessary tool for many trials, but what if you want something that's less high-tech, and more high-street? That's right, scratch cards! And finally, fear of not making the right decision dominates when it comes to paramedic conveyance to the paediatric emergency department. "We just take them in," "parents know best," and "if only they could talk" are some of the revealing quotes found in the study wrapping up this month.
Read the highlights: June 2025 Primary Survey
Salbutamol for analgesia in renal colic: a prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled phase II trial
Comparison of the effects of vapocoolant spray and topical anaesthetic cream (lidocaine–prilocaine) on pain of intravenous cannulation: a randomised controlled trial
Letter: Allocation concealment using scratchcards in an emergency department drug trial
Factors influencing paramedic conveyance decisions when attending children with minor head injury: a qualitative study
The EMJ podcast is hosted by:
Dr. Richard Body, EMJ Deputy Editor, University of Manchester, UK (@richardbody)
Dr. Sarah Edwards, EMJ Semior Associate Editor and Social Media Editor, Royal Derby Hospital, UK (@drsarahedwards)
You can subscribe to the EMJ podcast on all podcast platforms to get the latest podcast every month. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the EMJ Podcast Apple (https://apple.co/4bfcMU0) or Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3ufutSL) page.
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Acute palliative care, hands-free epistaxis relief, and modern laryngoscopy: May 2025 Primary Survey
A new survey has found that less than one third of end-of-life patients in Irish emergency departments have their own room. This is only one of the shortcomings found in end-of-life care, explored in two papers to start this episode. Following on from that is a comparison of video and direct laryngosocopy for intubation outcomes. There's also a "Best Evidence" review of the use of nasal clips for stopping nosebleeds, an approach which appears likely to offer advantages over the hands or inventive tongue-depressor contraptions. The finish up this month's episode, there's a return to a topic previously visited one year ago - the RCEM guidelines on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. A study from Wales follows up on the adherence to this guidance.
Read the highlights: May 2025 Primary Survey
Dying matters in the emergency department
Emergency clinician perceptions of end-of-life care in Irish emergency departments: a cross-sectional survey
Video laryngoscopy may improve the intubation outcomes in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Use of nasal clips as first aid for anterior epistaxis
Awareness and management of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome among staff in emergency departments in Wales
The EMJ podcast is hosted by:
Dr. Richard Body, EMJ Deputy Editor, University of Manchester, UK (@richardbody)
Dr. Sarah Edwards, EMJ Semior Associate Editor and Social Media Editor, Royal Derby Hospital, UK (@drsarahedwards)
You can subscribe to the EMJ podcast on all podcast platforms to get the latest podcast every month. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the EMJ Podcast Apple (https://apple.co/4bfcMU0) or Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3ufutSL) page.
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The walk-in wounded, detecting hypofibrinogenemia, and "time is testicle!": April 2025 Primary Survey
Trauma and paediatrics are the themes for this month's collection of papers. Starting off is a review of the effectiveness of prehospital ultrasound in detecting lung injury, with some surprising statistics. Next is a letter on the topic of self-presentation by paediatric patients with major trauma, which is thankfully a rare occurrence. The third paper looks at prehospital testing of trauma patients for low fibrinogen levels, a condition which can lead to worse bleeding, increased transfusions, and higher mortality. The final paper discusses the worrying topic of delayed presentation with testicular pain, a phenomenon which leads to significantly lower salvage rates. This can arise from lack of information or embarrassment, particularly in younger males.
Read the highlights: April 2025 Primary Survey
Diagnostic accuracy of prehospital ultrasound in detecting lung injury in patients with trauma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Identifying the walk-in wounded: paediatric major trauma patients self-presenting to a paediatric major trauma centre
Comparison between point-of-care international normalised ratio, COAST, TICCS and truncated FibAT scores to rule in clinically significant hypofibrinogenaemia in the prehospital setting
Experiences and perceptions of acute testicular pain, with a focus on reasons for delayed presentation to hospital: a qualitative evidence synthesis
The EMJ podcast is hosted by:
Dr. Richard Body, EMJ Deputy Editor, University of Manchester, UK (@richardbody)
Dr. Sarah Edwards, EMJ Semior Associate Editor and Social Media Editor, Royal Derby Hospital, UK (@drsarahedwards)
You can subscribe to the EMJ podcast on all podcast platforms to get the latest podcast every month. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the EMJ Podcast iTunes (https://apple.co/4bfcMU0) or Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3ufutSL) page.
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Dementia care, supporting ACPs, and handling hidradenitis suppurativa: March 2025 Primary Survey
Advance clinical practitioners (ACPs) can have a big role to play in the emergency department, but their career paths are not always well understood. This episode features three papers from the journal which begin to address that - a census survey of over 1000 ACPs, a qualitative study on their experiences in emergency care, and a commentary on how to improve ACP training. There is also a paper from Canada discussing considerations to be made for patients living with dementia, as well as their care partners who may be accompanying them to the hospital. A bit of a curveball to close out, with a review on hidradenitis suppurativa, a challenging skin condition which can take years for a diagnosis.
Read the highlights: March 2025 Primary Survey
Care for older adults living with dementia in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of care partner roles and perspectives
Emergency medicine advanced clinical practitioners: an English workforce census
A qualitative study exploring the experiences of advanced clinical practitioner training in emergency care in the South West of England, United Kingdom
How can we improve on advanced clinical practitioner training?
Diagnosis and management of hidradenitis suppurativa: a review for the emergency clinician
The EMJ podcast is hosted by:
Dr. Richard Body, EMJ Deputy Editor, University of Manchester, UK (@richardbody)
Dr. Sarah Edwards, EMJ Semior Associate Editor and Social Media Editor, Royal Derby Hospital, UK (@drsarahedwards)
You can subscribe to the EMJ podcast on all podcast platforms to get the latest podcast every month. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the EMJ Podcast iTunes (https://apple.co/4bfcMU0) or Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3ufutSL) page.
The Emergency Medicine Journal (EMJ) podcast is your premier source for the latest insights and developments in pre-hospital, hospital emergency medicine and critical care. Join the EMJ journal’s Deputy Editor and Social Media Editor each month as they discuss key highlights from the latest issue.
EMJ - emj.bmj.com - is an international journal from the BMJ Group and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) covering developments and advances in emergency medicine and acute care.
Stay informed with expert discussions and cutting-edge information by subscribing or listening on your favourite podcast platform.
Podcast hosted by:
Dr. Richard Body, EMJ Deputy Editor, University of Manchester, UK
Dr. Sarah Edwards, EMJ Social Media Editor, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK