Sepsis – Pathology

Pathophysiology Is a complication of any known infection that results in a systematic inflammatory response (SIRS) or organ dysfunction.  Its effects lie on a continuum of tissue injury.  The inflammatory… Read more »

Back pain – Assessment

Introduction This section refers to lumbar back pain rather than thoracic back pain Is a common primary care and emergency department presentation. The majority of causes are benign but there… Read more »

Back Pain – Non-MSK causes

Pain referred to the back can arise from any of the retroperitoneal structures. A useful mnemonic for the anatomically-challenged is SAD PUCKER S: suprarenal (adrenal) gland A: aorta/IVC D: duodenum (second and third part)… Read more »

Sacral cord segment function

  The sacral cord segments end at the L1/L2 vertebral level forming the conus medullaris whereupon descending spinal nerves continue on as the caudal equna below the level of L1/2 (one vertebrae lower in young… Read more »

MSK assessment

Any mobile joint including the neck and spine can be examined in a systematic manner Attention should be given to detailed palpation and movement The key aspects are Look –… Read more »

Context is Everything

“Evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” Dr. David Sackett, Original founder of EBM Even… Read more »

‘Chunks’

To avoid cognitive overload, I have deliberate limited the size of each article.  As the student masters each section, they can deepen their knowledge through the links and Further Reading… Read more »

Crisis Management

Introduction It has been recognised from lessons in the aviation industry that in critical and rapidly evolving scenarios, even superior clinical knowledge and skills can lead to poor outcomes if… Read more »