The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine
Hosted by emergency physician Dr. Ken Milne, The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine cuts through the noise of daily practice to examine the evidence behind common clinical decisions. This isn't about dry journal reviews; it's a practical, conversational look at the studies and guidelines that actually impact patient care in fast-paced environments. Each episode focuses on a specific topic, breaking down the latest research with a critical eye to separate compelling data from medical myth. You'll hear discussions on everything from trauma protocols to outpatient management, always with an emphasis on applying skepticism to improve outcomes. The goal is to move beyond the old "meet 'em, greet 'em, treat 'em and street 'em" mentality by fostering a more thoughtful, evidence-based approach. For clinicians who want to refine their practice and for anyone interested in the science of acute care, this podcast serves as a regular dose of reasoned analysis. Dr. Milne's experience provides a grounded perspective, making complex information accessible and immediately relevant. Tune in for a straightforward dialogue that challenges assumptions and aims to make medicine better, one examined claim at a time.
Episodes
SGEM #508: How Low Can You Go? Rethinking Lumbar Punctures in Well-Appearing Febrile Infants
Reference: Burstein B, et al. Prediction of Bacteremia and Bacterial Meningitis Among Febrile Infants Aged 28 Days or Younger. JAMA. Published online December 08, 2025. Date: April 3, 2026 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Margarita Ra…
SGEM#507: Till Everybody Got Delirious – Geriatric Patients in the Emergency Department
Date: April 2, 2026 Reference: Lee et al. GRADE-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Emergency Department Delirium Risk Stratification, Screening, and Brain Imaging in Older Patients With Suspected Delirium. AEM Feb 20…
SGEM Xtra: You You You Oughta Know – GED 2.0 Guidelines
Date: March 23, 2026 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Christina Shenvi is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, keynote speaker, coach, and academic leader. She is widely recognized for her work in geriatric emergency medic…
SGEM Xtra: This One Goes to 11 – ATLS 11th Edition
Date: March 26, 2026 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Robert Leeper is a trauma surgeon at the London Health Sciences Centre and an ATLS instructor who has helped train generations of physicians in trauma care. He has previously joine…
SGEM#506: Aww I’m Itchy…and I need a Second Generation Antihistamine
Reference: Wong KH, et al. Improving Use of Oral Antihistamines in a Children’s Hospital. Pediatrics. Feb 2026; Date: March 15, 2026 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Stephanie Kubala is an attending physician in the Division of Allerg…
SGEM#505: Close Enough for (ARF) Acute Respiratory Failure (HFNO vs NIV)
Date: March 11, 2026 Reference: RENOVATE Investigators and the BRICNet Authors; High-Flow Nasal Oxygen vs Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure: The RENOVATE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA M…