Robert P. Wahl

American Board of Emergency Medicine Report on Residency Training Information (2014-2015)

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) gathers extensive background information on emergency medicine residency programs and the residents in those programs. We present the 2015 annual report on the status of US emergency medicine training programs.

Physician Preparation for the American Board of Emergency Medicine ConCert Examination

OBJECTIVES To maintain certification by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), physicians are required to pass the Continuous Certification (ConCert) examination at least every 10 years. On the 2014 ConCert postexamination survey, ABEM sought to understand the manner in which ABEM diplomates prepared for the test and to identify associations between test preparation approaches and performance on the ConCert examination. METHODS This was a cross-sectional survey study. The survey was administered at the end of the 2014 ConCert examination. Analyses included chi-square and linear regression to determine the association of preparation methods with performance. RESULTS Of the 2,431 on-time test-takers, 2,338 (96.2%) were included. The most commonly used study approach was the review of written materials designed for test preparation (1,585; 67.8%), followed by an online training course (1,006; 43.0%). There were 758 (32.4%) physicians who took a single onsite board review course, while 41 (1.8%) took two or more onsite courses. Most physicians (1,611; 68.9%) spent over 35 hours preparing for the ConCert examination. The study method that was most associated with favorable test scores was the review of written materials designed for test preparation (p < 0.001). Attending an onsite preparation course was associated with poorer performance (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between no additional preparation and failing the examination (chi-square with Yates correction; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A substantial majority (97.8%) of physicians taking the 2014 ABEM ConCert examination prepared for it. The majority of physicians used written materials specifically designed for test preparation. Reviewing written materials designed for test preparation was associated with the highest performance.

American Board of Emergency Medicine Report on Residency Training Information (2012-2013), American Board of Emergency Medicine

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) gathers extensive background information on emergency medicine residency programs and the residents in those programs. We present the 2013 annual report on the status of US emergency medicine training programs.

Emergency medicine practice environment and impact on concert examination performance

Objective: The ABEM ConCert Examination is a summative examination that ABEM‐certified physicians are required to pass once in every 10‐year cycle to maintain certification. This study was undertaken to identify practice settings of emergency physicians, and to determine if there was a difference in performance on the 2017 ConCert between physicians of differing practice types and settings. Methods: This was a mixed methods cross sectional‐study, using a post‐examination survey and test performance data. All physicians taking the 2017 ConCert Examination who completed three survey questions pertaining to practice type, practice locations, and teaching were included. These three questions address different aspects of academia: self‐identification, an academic setting, and whether the physician teaches. Results: Among 2796 test administrations of the 2017 ConCert Examination, 2693 (96.3%) completed the three survey questions about practice environment. The majority (N = 2054; 76.3%) self‐identified as primarily being a community physician, 528 (19.6%) as academic, and 111 (4.1%) as other. The average ConCert Examination score for community physicians was 83.5 (95% CI, 83.3–83.8); the academic group was 84.8 (95% CI, 84.3–85.3); and the other group was 82.3 (95% CI, 81.1–83.6). After controlling for initial ability as measured by the Qualifying Examination score, there was no significant difference in performance between academic and community physicians (p = .10). Conclusions: Academic emergency physicians and community emergency physicians scored similarly on the ConCert. Working at a community teaching hospital was associated with higher examination performance. Teaching medical learners, especially non‐emergency medicine residents, was also associated with better examination performance.

Hypovitaminosis D Presenting as Diffuse Myalgia in a 22-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report

BACKGROUND Caused predominantly by insufficient conversion of vitamin D precursors by sunlight, hypovitaminosis D is an issue of increasing importance worldwide. Although it has been associated with a range of diseases, musculoskeletal effects dominate the clinical picture and can lead to significant physical debility, whether acute or chronic. Although diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency typically occurs in the outpatient setting, it is an easily treatable condition, and timely intervention can dramatically improve ones quality of life. As highlighted by this case report, hypovitaminosis D may be an important but underappreciated etiology of undifferentiated myalgia that, when present, warrants initiation of vitamin D repletion therapy even from the emergency department (ED). CASE REPORT A 22-year-old African-American female presented to our ED with diffuse myalgia for 4 months. She reported significant debility from these symptoms with difficulty ambulating and performing activities of daily living. There had been no upper respiratory infection symptoms. The patient had discussed all of this with her primary care physician who, despite an extensive laboratory work-up, had not identified a definitive etiology. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Chronic pain has stricken the ED patient population across the board. Studies demonstrate that the myalgia caused by hypovitaminosis D can have a profound and negative impact on an individuals lifestyle. Our patient was found to have hypovitaminosis D and had substantial improvement with her myalgia and quality of life after treatment. The purpose of this report is to help the emergency physician appreciate this disease and consider it when clinically appropriate.