Core Content Curriculum

Purpose:

There are many different ways to learn. The experience gained on clinical rotations, while incredibly important, will not adequately prepare the Emergency Medicine resident for the depth and breadth of knowledge required for board certification and competent practice in our field. These readings( G-1 - G-2 - G-3 ) and quizzes( G-1 - G-2 - G-3 ) are intended to thoroughly cover the core content of Emergency Medicine and to supplement your clinical experience and independent learning. This approach, while structured, will also add flexibility in that assignments can be done over an extended time period rather then set for discussion during a specific conference time.

Tests ( G-1 - G-2 - G-3 )

The tests are the CORD online tests – formatted for board preparation and therefore of additional incentive for assignment completion. Follow the link to the CORD site and logon with your password (Pat has it if you forget). Tests are 20-30 questions in length. After completion, CORD will email the score and correct answers to Felix or Scott. This form will then be emailed to you. The only exception to this will be the G2 and G3 St Paul Kids rotations and G3 TACS – these are practice tests which will give you instant feedback and send us a note of completion (no score). Please feel free to do as many other of the practice tests as you would like – they are great for board review. Please remember that these tests are tools for you to use to prepare for the board examination in EM, rather than formal assessments of assigned readings

Purpose of Core Content

The Core Content for Emergency Medicine was developed to serve several purposes. Originally, its justification was to outline the material at risk for testing on the American Board of Emergency Medicine examination and to lend guidance to those learning the specialty, either through formal residency training or through continued practice. Because emergency medicine is changing rapidly, the Core Content has required periodic revision every few years. The Core Content represents the scope of emergency medicine practice --the universe of the specialty. As such, it is quite inclusive, even of disease entities that are rare.

Core Texts

Tintinelli 5th ed. , Goldfrank Toxicology , Roberts and Hedges 3rd ed. , Fleisher and Ludwig, 4th ed.

Testing Time Line

Residents may complete each test at any time. It is strongly recommended, however, that each person keep current with reading assignments and test taking. There is no due date for the tests but results will be reviewed quarterly to ensure that adequate progress is being made. Test results do not directly affect your semi-annual reviews but it can help staff determine if you are falling behind in independent study.

Participation

Each resident is expected to complete all reading assignments and tests.