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
May 6, 2016 • 16min
CRACKCast E020 - Headache
This episode covers Chapter 20 of Rosen's Emergency Medicine. Episode overview: List 7 life threatening causes of headaches List 5 red flags on history for headaches When should you perform a CT before performing a LP? Describe 8 clinical findings indicative of elevated ICP Wisecracks: Describe 5 CT findings suggestive of elevated ICP List 7 non-life threatening causes of headache
Apr 29, 2016 • 31min
CRACKCast E019 - Dizziness and Vertigo
This episode covers Chapter 19 of Rosen's Emergency Medicine. Episode overview: Compare characteristics of peripheral and central vertigo What are risk factors for central causes of vertigo? List 4 vestibulotoxic drugs. Describe the Hallpike Maneuver and the Epley Maneuver List 5 causes of Peripheral Vertigo and describe features of illness List 5 causes of Central Vertigo and describe the features of illness Wisecracks: HINTS exam Pathophysiology stumper: Why does dizziness or vertigo lead to nausea, sweating, malaise? What is the barbecue roll?
Apr 25, 2016 • 23min
CRACKCast E018 - Seizures
This episode covers Chapter 18 of Rosen's Emergency Medicine. Episode Overview: Define status epilepticus List the doses of common medications used for status epilepticus List 10 differential diagnoses for seizures List 10 indications for head CT in new-onset seizure Wisecracks: How long does a driver in British Columbia require their driver's license be suspended after a seizure? What are the most common causes of status epilepticus? What are the "cannot miss" causes of seizure?
Apr 12, 2016 • 15min
CRACKCast E017 - Confusion
This episode covers Chapter 17 of Rosen's Emergency Medicine. Episode Overview: List the Major Categories for the differential diagnosis of Confusion Differentiate between organic and functional confusion. List the Critical and Emergent causes of Confusion Wise Cracks: Describe a quick assessment tool for screening for confusion
Apr 12, 2016 • 23min
CRACKCast E016 - Altered Level of Consciousness and Coma
A rapid tour through causes of altered consciousness using memorable mnemonics like DIMS and AEIOU-TIPS. Clear reviews of adult and pediatric GCS scoring and documentation. Practical demos of brainstem reflex testing, including doll's eyes and cold calorics. A concise checklist for initial assessment and age-specific common causes.
Apr 1, 2016 • 18min
CRACKCast E015 - Syncope
A focused dive into syncope: what defines it and why it puzzles clinicians. High‑risk groups and mechanisms behind fainting are highlighted. Lists of critical cardiac, vascular, neurologic and metabolic causes are discussed. Medications that can provoke syncope are reviewed. The San Francisco risk rule and clear red flags that warrant admission are explained.
5 snips
Mar 30, 2016 • 25min
CRACKCast E014 - Cyanosis
A focused run-through of cyanosis and how to tell its causes apart. Clear definitions of oxygen measures and the pathophysiology behind blue skin. A practical differential highlighting cardiopulmonary catastrophes and acquired hemoglobin disorders. Deep dive into methemoglobinemia causes, recognition with chocolate-brown blood, and when to use methylene blue. Explanation of the oxygen-hemoglobin curve and the hyperoxia test.
9 snips
Mar 14, 2016 • 16min
CRACKCast E013 - Weakness
They break down how to tell true weakness from mimics and localize problems to UMN, LMN, or the neuromuscular junction. Critical diagnoses like stroke, spinal cord compression, Guillain-Barré, and rhabdomyolysis get focused attention. They flag signs of impending respiratory failure and list common non-emergent neuropathy and systemic causes to watch for.
11 snips
Mar 14, 2016 • 20min
CRACKCast E012 - Fever
A focused dive into fever physiology and how prostaglandins and the hypothalamic set-point drive temperature changes. Practical vitals rules: how heart and respiratory rates change per 1°C. A structured emergency approach to infectious causes and high-risk infections you must not miss. Clear contrasts between fever and hyperthermia and a rundown of non-infectious causes and accurate core temperature measurement.
13 snips
Mar 3, 2016 • 25min
CRACKCast E011 - Neonatal Resuscitation
Essential gear and quick checks for newborns arriving in distress. Key questions to ask during imminent delivery and the basics of the initial assessment. When and how to use oxygen, suction, chest compressions, and intubation in the first minutes. Special considerations for preterm infants and a fast neonatal resuscitation algorithm. Short reviews of common congenital airway and abdominal anomalies.
