Blended learning in paediatric emergency medicine: preliminary analysis of a virtual learning environment.

Objectives: Paediatric emergency medicine (PEM) currently faces many competing educational challenges. Recent changes to the working patterns have made the delivery of effective teaching to trainees extremely difficult. We developed a virtual learning environment, on the basis of socioconstructivist principles, which allows learning to take place regardless of time or location.

Best evidence topic report. Anticoagulation before cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation in the emergency department.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether anticoagulation is indicated prior to emergency department cardioversion of a patient with acute onset atrial fibrillation. 54 papers were found using the reported search, of which none presented any evidence to answer the clinical question. It is concluded that there is no evidence available to answer this question.

Best evidence topic report. Anticoagulation post-cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation in the emergency department.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether anticoagulation is indicated after emergency department cardioversion of a patient with acute onset atrial fibrillation. 243 papers were found using the reported search, of which none presented any evidence to answer the clinical question. It is concluded that there is no evidence available to answer this question.

Best evidence topic report. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and exacerbations of asthma in children.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents cause exacerbations of asthma in children. Altogether 301 papers were found using the reported search, of which two presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated.

Best evidence topic reports. Plaster or collar and cuff after reducing dislocated elbow.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether an above elbow plaster cast was better than a collar and cuff sling after reduction of a dislocated elbow. No papers addressing this question were found using the reported search.