The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine

Reference: Jessen et al. Pharmacological interventions for the acute treatment of hyperkalaemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Resuscitation 2025 Date: August 6, 2025 Guest Skeptic: William Toon is a paramedic who, this past May achieved over 50 years of continuous EMS certification. His professional path has taken him from front-line paramedic to national presenter, expert witness, flight […] The post SGEM#484: The Warrior – Pharmacological Interventions for the Acute Treatment of Hyperkalemia first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.

Date: August 11, 2025 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Gillian Schmitz is a board-certified Emergency Physician practicing at The Naval Medical Center in San Diego. She is also a former President of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). This SGEM Xtra is inspired by the 1992 film A League of Their Own. Unlike our previous pop culture references like Buffy […] The post SGEM Xtra: Now and Forever – A League of Their Own (Women in EM) first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.

Reference: Otterness et al. The Use of TENS for the Treatment of Back Pain in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial. AEM Aug 2025 Date: August 22, 2025 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Lauren Westafer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Baystate. She is the […] The post SGEM#483: Electricity – TENS Units for Treating Back Pain first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.

Reference:  Othman AA, et al. Combined ketamine and midazolam vs. midazolam alone for initial treatment of pediatric generalized convulsive status epilepticus (Ket-Mid study): A randomized controlled trial. Pediatric Neurology. June 2025 Date: May 27, 2025 Guest Skeptic: Dr. James Chamberlain is a pediatric emergency medicine attending physician at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC where […] The post SGEM#482: Seize the Day with Ketamine and Midazolam for Pediatric Status Epilepticus first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.

Timothy Caulfield, a Canadian law professor and health policy expert, dives deep into the complexities of science communication and misinformation. He discusses the power of language in vaccine debates, urging clarity over stigmatization. Intellectual humility is highlighted as a vital tool against misinformation. The conversation delves into evolving medical practices, the pitfalls of online opinions, and the cultural allure of UFOs. Caulfield emphasizes the urgent need for effective science communication to navigate today's challenges.

Reference: Kemal et al. Emergency department utilization by youth before and after firearm injury. AEM July 2025 Date: July 28, 2025 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Kirsty Challen is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine in the UK and an evidence-based medicine advocate. She’s a seasoned knowledge translator with her wonderful PaperinaPic infographics.   Case: Your non-US emergency […] The post SGEM#481: Shot Through the Chart And You’re to Blame – But Can We Intervene? first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.

Reference: Bourke EM, et al. PEAChY-O: Pharmacological Emergency Management of Agitation in Children and Young People: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Oral Medication. Annals of Emergency Medicine. Feb 2025 Date: April 29, 2025 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Brad Sobolewski, is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics at the University […] The post SGEM#480: In the End It Doesn’t Even Matter: Oral Olanzapine or Diazepam for Pediatric Agitation first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.

Date: July 9, 2025 Guest Skeptics: Dr. Cindy Bitter is an Associate Professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine at Saint Louis University. She has a Master’s in Bioethics, and she is passionate about EM capacity building and physician resilience, especially improving wellness through time in nature.    Dr. Amy Bi is a graduate from […] The post SGEM Xtra: Career Advice from Buffy the Vampire Slayer first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.

In this discussion, Dr. Sandi Angus, a passionate Paediatric and Adult Emergency Medicine Registrar, dives into the complexities of evaluating blunt abdominal trauma in children. They explore the critical balance between the risks of radiation from CT scans and the benefits of accurate diagnosis. The conversation highlights the PECARN rule for identifying low-risk patients and the challenges in interpreting injury risks from various symptoms. Join in as they uncover the intricacies of clinical decision-making in pediatric emergency care!

Reference: Solnick et al. Sex Disparities in Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Treatment in US Adult Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. AEM June 2025 Date: June 24, 2025 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Suchismita Datta. She is an Assistant Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the NYU Grossman Long Island Hospital […] The post SGEM#478: If I Were a Man: Sex-Based Disparities in the Treatment of STIs first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.