

CanadiEM Podcasts: CRACKCast, ClerkCast, CarmsCast, First Year Diaries
The CanadiEM.org Team
CanadiEM aims to improve emergency care in Canada by building an online community of practice for healthcare practitioners and providing them with high quality, freely available educational resources. Our podcasts are found on this channel and include:
CRACKCast (Core Rosen's and Clinical Knowledge) helps residents to "Turn on their learn on" through podcasts that assist with exam prep by covering essential core content.
ClerkCast: A podcast focused on clinical clerks and their time in emergency medicine. It provides an overview of key topics that help you to rock your EM rotations.
First Year Diaries: A podcast focused on the first year of independent clinical practice in emergency medicine and all of its trials and tribulations.
Physicians as Humans explores the struggles that physicians face and how they have overcome them. From addictions, mental health issues, and all manner of personal crises will be discussed to help let those who are currently struggling know that they are not alone.
CRACKCast (Core Rosen's and Clinical Knowledge) helps residents to "Turn on their learn on" through podcasts that assist with exam prep by covering essential core content.
ClerkCast: A podcast focused on clinical clerks and their time in emergency medicine. It provides an overview of key topics that help you to rock your EM rotations.
First Year Diaries: A podcast focused on the first year of independent clinical practice in emergency medicine and all of its trials and tribulations.
Physicians as Humans explores the struggles that physicians face and how they have overcome them. From addictions, mental health issues, and all manner of personal crises will be discussed to help let those who are currently struggling know that they are not alone.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 2, 2017 • 12min
CRACKCast E114 - Factitious Disorders and Malingering
This episode of CRACKCast covers Rosen' 9th edition, Chapter 104, Factitious Disorders and Malingering. Episode Overview Two categories of psychiatric illness are covered in this episode Factitious Disorder Malingering Individuals suffering from factitious disorders fabricate symptoms of illness to fulfill the sick role (primary gain) Individuals suffering from malingering fabricate symptoms of illness to obtain something (secondary gain) Despite the fact that we may suspect either factitious disorder or malingering, we must strive to objectively assess the patient for concrete evidence of disease If no objective evidence of disease exists in a patient, do not investigate with needless and/or harmful diagnostic modalities Refer back to their primary care physician If you are suspecting factitious disorder by proxy, the safety of your patient should always be your first priority Core Questions What is a factitious disorder and what is malingering? List the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for factitious disorder imposed on self (FDIS) List the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA) List four characteristics of malingering
Sep 28, 2017 • 6min
EP 113 - Somatoform Disorders
This 113th episode of CRACKCast covers Rosen’s 9th edition, Chapter 103, Somatoform Disorders. The diagnosis of SSD is made when there are persistent and clinically significant physical complaints that are accompanied by excessive and disproportionate health-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviours regarding these symptoms. Recent publications refer to “medically unexplained physical or somatic symptoms,” rather than somatization.

Sep 25, 2017 • 7min
CRACKCast E112 – Anxiety Disorders
This episode covers Chapter 102 of Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (9th Ed.), Anxiety Disorders. Episode Overview Patients who present with predominant symptoms of anxiety may be suffering from medical disorders (think cardiac, resp, endocrine, neurologic), medication effects, or substance abuse or withdrawal. Anxiety may accompany the onset of serious medical disease, cause significant metabolic demands, and stress a marginally compensated organ system. Anxiety caused by physical illness is usually suggested by the patient’s physical findings but may require testing to further delineate the cause. Oral, intravenous, or intramuscular medication may be necessary for patients who are a significant threat to themselves or others and for anxious patients with significant medical illness. Limited benzodiazepine therapy may be helpful for select patients. SSRI’s are the go-to long term therapy. Core questions: List 5 predictors of anxiety caused by an underlying medical issue (box) List 10 organic diseases that may present with anxiety Name 10 characteristics of a panic attack (box) List characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (box) Define the following: Panic attack OCD GAD List ED management goals for patients with anxiety List 6 non-pharmacologic therapies for anxiety

Sep 21, 2017 • 9min
CRACKCast E111 – Mood Disorders
This episode of CRACKCast covers Rosen’s Chapter 101 (9th Ed.), mood disorders. The podcast will focus on the diagnosis and management of common mood disturbances. Episode Overview Patients with apparent mood disorders should be evaluated for medical disorders, medication effects, substance abuse or withdrawal because these conditions can mimic both depression and mania. Mood disorders should be suspected in patients with multiple, vague, nonspecific complaints and in patients who are frequent, heavy users of medical care. The differentiation of depression and dementia in elders can be difficult, but is important because depression often responds dramatically to treatment. Patients with mood disorders should be assessed for their suicide potential. Core questions: List the 3 neurotransmitters implicated in depression List the DSM V criteria for Major Depressive Episode (box) Define Seasonal Affective disorder, Dysthymic Disorder and Cyclothymic disorder Define Bipolar I and Bipolar II List the DSM V Criteria for a Manic Episode (box) List 8 general medical conditions and 8 medications that cause depression Describe first line medical therapy for depression and bipolar disorder List 4 criteria for hospitalization in an acute psychiatric episode Wisecracks 1. Mnemonics for symptoms of depression and mania
Sep 18, 2017 • 21min
CRACKCast E110 - Thought Disorders
This episode covers chapter 110 of Rosen's emergency medicine (100 in the 9th edition). Confused about thought disorders? We can set you thinking straight!
Sep 14, 2017 • 38min
CRACKCast E109 - CNS Infections
This episode of CRACKCast covers Rosen’s Chapter 109, CNS Infections. This chapter covers a differential diagnosis for CNS infections, including necessary workup and approaches to treatment.
Sep 14, 2017 • 25min
CRACKCast E108 - Neuromuscular Disroders
Are you confused by the NMJ? Good.... because we were too. This episode of CRACKCast covers Rosen’s Chapter 108, Neuromuscular Disorders. These disorders have a wide range of presentations and etiologies.
Sep 7, 2017 • 28min
CRACKCast E107 - Peripheral Nerve Disorders
This episode of CRACKCast covers Rosen’s Chapter 107, Peripheral Nerve Disorders. These disorders have a wide range of presentations and etiologies. This chapter includes a comprehensive classification system to help in the ED in recognizing the various disorders.
Sep 4, 2017 • 24min
CRACKCast E106 - Spinal Cord Disorders
This episode covers chapter 106 of Rosen's Emergency Medicine. Check out chapter 96 in the pretty new 9th edition. If you don't have it yet... you should. Ever wondered about how to get the spinal syndrome's straight? We've got that covered, and more of course!
Aug 31, 2017 • 22min
CRACKCast E105 - Brain & Cranial Nerve Disorders
This episode of CRACKCast covers Rosen’s Chapter 105, Brain and Cranial Nerve Disorders. These can be the weird and wonderful in the ED, but subtle hints can clue us in that further investigation is needed for our patients. Having a high suspicion for these diagnoses can help you make an appropriate care plan and follow up for patients with neurological disease.