Favorite YouTube Channel – JAMA Network

This YouTube channel is produced by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The JAMA Network has an excellent YouTube Channel that is both comprehensive, current and creative. The channel contains animated article summaries and whiteboard videos that are entertaining and informative.  Topics are carefully selected and relevant to patient care. Experts interviews give primary care providers, as well as specialists, useful information and pearls that are critical  for the practice of evidence based medicine. The JAMA Network YouTube channel also contains socially conscious videos that help providers remain focused on compassionate care. One of my favorite videos is Street Medicine. I wish there were more animated articles summaries and whiteboard videos, as I found these videos to be particularly engaging. It hardly feels like you are learning when watching

Favorite Internal Medicine Podcast – The Curbsiders

There is no surprises in this category. The Curbsiders has quickly become a favorite amongst medical professions across all disciplines. This podcast is humorous and engaging. The show is hosted by Chris Chiu, who also hosts Cribsiders, and Paul Williams. There are also guests hosts, such as medical students, that add to the laid back dynamic of the show.  Guest speakers are experts in their respective fields and have extensive experience in clinical practice, research, drafting guidelines and clinical practice. Each guest talks through a book recommendation and a practice pearl before starting the discussion. There are detailed show notes with links to articles and guidelines referenced in the show. The podcast site also contains useful infographics, which simply the work up and treatment of various conditions.  Not only is it possible to receive Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit for listening to the show, some episodes lead to Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credit with the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) through the American College of Physicians (ACP). This podcast showcases the practice of evidence based medicine at it best. One of the most impactful episodes is Homeless Healthcare.

Favorite Pediatric Medicine Podcast – The Cribsiders

The Cribsiders is the sister show to the Cursiders podcast.  The format is similar with guest speakers that are leaders in their respective fields as discussion centers on clinical guidelines, practice pearls and contemporary topic in pediatrics. The show is hosted by Chris Chui, who also hosts the Curbsiders podcast, and Justin Berk. There are also detailed show notes and infographics embedded within each show. The podcast website is colorful and easy to navigate. Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit is provided through the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health. Similar to Curbsiders, listeners can obtain Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credit with the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). For those who are trained in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, it is also possible to obtain MOC with the American Board of Internal Medicine with certain pediatric topics.  You cannot help but to walk away a better pediatrician after listening to this podcast. One of of my favorite episodes deals with De-mist-ifying Vaping.

Favorite Cancer Statistics Website – SEER Database

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) is powered the National Cancer Institute (HCI) and has an excellent database for cancer statistics. The statistics are up to date and presented in a clean easy to follow format. A complete range of cancer types are covered across adult and pediatric populations. News cases, survival statistics, trends in rates and disparities across ethnicities are laid out in easy to follow infographics. You can even explore additional statistics through the explorer function. This site is not only helpful for providers, but patients can easily follow the charts and diagrams. If you are looking for accurate and impact statistics that will help educate patients of the importance of cancer screening, look no further than the SEER database.

Favorite Journal Watch Service – ACP Journal Wise

It is important to have a commitment to keep up with the medical literature. The shear number of research articles and peer review summaries that are published in a year’s time makes it nearly impossible to filter and read the most essential articles on your own. Subscribing to a journal watch service is imperative to remain current on the most relevant articles over the course of the year. While there are a plethora of Journal Watch services, few are as clean and uncluttered as ACP Journal Wise. This service is free with an ACP membership. Articles are rated based on a 7 star system with respect to relevance and newsworthiness. After clicking on a link for an article of interest in your email, you are take to a ACP Journal Wise page with a detailed yet concise summary.  You can specify your email frequency and choose to receive articles within a certain specialty and relevance score. While I have found ACP Journal Wise useful, subscribing to one of the more popular journal watch services, such as the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Journal Watch and Evidence Alerts by McMaster University, is extraordinarily helpful. The type of journal watch service is less important than just the commitment to sign up for a service. There is usually a cost to these services, but it is well worth it.

Favorite Treatment Algorithm – HCV Guidance by the AASLD and IDSA

The treatment of hepatis C has changed dramatically over the past decade. There are more treatment options with improved side effect profiles. The treatment of hepatitis has shifted from the hands of the gastroenterologist to that of the primary care physician. You now longer need to be intimidated by the treatment of hepatitis C. The American Association for the Treatment of Liver Disease (AASLD) and the Infectious Disease Society of America have created a website to assist with the treatment of hepatitis C. Click on treatment naïve or treatment experienced in the top menu part. Next, you will select the genotype and then the presence or absence of cirrhosis. That’s it! You will then be lead to a page with medication recommendations, grade and a summary of the literature.  Do not forget to read the pages on simplified treatment regimens for the presence or absence of cirrhosis. This contain important information about the who does not qualify for simplified treatment as well as pre-treatment assessments and monitoring. It is apparent that a great deal of effort went into creating an easily accessible evidence based website that flows seamlessly and with simplicity. The HCV Guidance website powered by the AASLD and IDSA is a must have bookmark in your web browser. 

 Favorite iPhone/ Android App – Choosing Wisely

The Choosing Wisely campaign was initiated by the American Board of Internal Medicine and identifies unnecessary tests, procedures and treatments across specialties and medical societies. The Choosing Wisely campaign has become so popular and worthwhile that it has spread across too many disciplines and medical societies to list. Each society and medical group lists commonly ordered tests, procedures and/ or treatments that should not be used in practice of medicine as this leads to low value, high cost care, and at times, worsening outcomes. Within the app, one can filter by medical specialty or society. There is also a section for patients to learn about unnecessary care. There is no argument or debate with the principles and guidelines listed in the Choosing Wisely campaign. It shows providers the “low hanging fruit” that can be removed in the practice of medicine. Not adhering to the Choosing Wisely campaign flags a provider as practicing low value non-evidence based care. The Choosing Wisely app is more than essential, it is mandatory to practice effective medicine.

Favorite Pocket Handbook – Users’ Guides to the Medical Literature

The Users Guide to the Medical Literature is a must have pocket book for the practicing provider. This Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) user guide is created by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The scope of this book is also within reach for the resident who desires to aim for a discussion of the medical literature beyond the basics. The text is well designed, well organized and walks through the structure and pitfalls of various study types including therapy (Randomized and Non-inferiority Trials) and harms (Observational) studies. This pocket book covers the evidence based pyramid with clarity and detail. Confidence intervals, power, impact, and the process of systematic reviews and significance of peer reviews are also covered in detail. There is an excellent discussion around bias in study design. The books is littered with examples of landmark studies After reading this guide, you will no longer be carried away the opinions of your peers or mentors. You will be able to make critical and accurate decisions for yourself. You will be able to spot the faults in an article everyone is raving about. You will be able to use the medial literature to provide the tailored plan of care for your patients. I have used several EBM guides, but the Users’ Guide to the Medical Literature exceeds them all.