The LSUHSC New Orleans Emergency Medicine Interest Group Presents The Student Procedure Manual

Introduction

The Goal of the LSU Emergency Medicine Interest Group Procedure Manual is to create a stronger medical student. The first step in achieving this goal is to identify essential skills and effectively communicate these to medical students involved in the learning process. By no means does this procedure manual represent a definitive text on medical procedures, but rather an introduction to medical procedures and a quick reference guide to aid medical students. Our procedure manual is a perpetual work in progress and we welcome any feedback and suggestions, acknowledging there are multiple avenues leading to the same destination.

Ushered out are the days of, "See One, Do One, Teach One", or as some have commonly labeled the process, "See One, Do One, Screw One". We have emphasized in our procedure manual the importance of understanding the indications, contraindications and complications of procedures, prior to focusing on the manual aspects of a procedure. Mastering the information included in this procedure manual will not make you an expert proceduralist, nor will watching an eminent clinician increase a student's ability to perform a procedure. Red Auerbach, legendary coach of the Boston Celtics, offers sage advice that is applicable here, "practice does not make perfect...... perfect practice makes perfect".

This argues the need to first, understand the indications, contraindications, and complications prior to focusing on the technical mechanics of a procedure- "To Know One".

Second, to closely observe a clinician with expertise perform the procedure, breaking the technical steps down into their component parts - "To See One". Third, close observation of the student attempting the procedure with continuous feedback - "To Do One". The final stage is essential and typically requires repetition to acquire procedural competence - " To Do One Again And Again". We strongly encourage the "Know One, See One, Do One, Do One Again And Again" strategy for achieving procedural competency. The LSUHSCNO Emergency Medicine Interest Group Procedure Manual is the first phase of this instruction model.

Although this procedure manual emphasizes technical skill, we encourage health care providers to obtain consent from their patients, or patient families prior to attempting procedures, utilizing compassion and compulsion. Treat your patients as you, yourself would like to be treated, remembering that procedures are not required to be painful or anxiety provoking. Please feel free to use this text with generous dosages of common sense and empathy. The members of the LSUHSCNO Emergency Medicine Interest Group wish you well in your training.