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Introduction to the Emergency Medicine Oral Presentation

Introductory statement (one-liner):

This is a (age) year old (male/female) with a past medical history of (only pertinent PMHx) who presents to the emergency department today with an (acute/chronic/# day history of) history of (worsening/improving) (chief complaint).

HPI

  • OPQRSTU
  • Describe if relevant
    • Stool
    • Cough
    • Urine
    • Pain
  • Include any pertinent positives or negatives within the HPI story (ROS).
    • Include any relevant family history (diabetes, ACS, etc.) here as well
    • Include any relevant prior surgeries here
    • Include medications, smoking history, alcohol history here if relevant
  • What happened that convinced the patient to come come to the emergency department today?
  • When did they first experience their CC?
  • From the first time they experienced the CC until now, what happened?
  • Have they been hospitalized in the past for issues related to CC? What happened then and what was the diagnosis?

Physical exam findings and investigations

  • Vital signs
  • Only pertinent physical exam findings
  • Only pertinent labs and imaging if any

Impression and plan

Repeat one-liner:

In summary, this is a (age) year old (male/female) with a past medical history of (only pertinent PMHx) who presents to the emergency department today with an (acute/chronic/# day history of) history of (worsening/improving) (chief complaint).

Include most relevant symptoms, results from labs and imaging (do not repeat everything you said above)

On the differential, the most harmful etiologies include (cause #1), (cause #2), (cause #3). #1 is possible because of the (your reasons), but is less likely because of (other reasons). #2 is possible because of the (your reasons), but is less likely because of (other reasons). #3 is possible because of the (your reasons), but is less likely because of (other reasons). In my view, the most likely cause is #4 because of (your reasons).

Diagnosis: The plan moving forward will be lab/imaging #1 to rule out/evaluate #1, lab/imaging #2 to rule out/evaluate #2, etc.

Symptom relief: In regards to his pain, I would like to give him (your plan for pain). In regards to his nausea, I would like to give him (your plan for nausea). In regards to (any other symptomatic issue), I would like to provide him (symptomatic relief while we investigate underlying cause).

Disposition: Finally, in regards to disposition, I would like to consult internal medicine (or another service) and get him admitted OR if the investigations are clear discharge him home