J Emerg Med
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Hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD) are the most common congenital coagulation factor deficiencies. Patients with these disorders who experience bleeding complications are often initially managed in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Emergency medicine providers must have an understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management strategies in order to optimally care for these complex patients.
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Shotguns represent a distinct form of ballistic injury because of projectile scatter and variable penetration. Due in part to their rarity, existing literature on shotgun injuries is scarce. ⋯ In the United States, shotgun wounds are an infrequent mechanism of injury. Shotgun wounds as a result of interpersonal violence far outweigh self-inflicted and accidental injuries. White men in their 20s in the southern parts of the country are most commonly affected and thereby delineate the high-risk patient population for injury by this mechanism at a national level.
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Emergency medicine is a profession that requires good leadership skills. Emergency physicians must be able to instill confidence in both the staff and patients, inspire the best in others, have the enthusiasm to take on a surplus of responsibilities, and maintain calmness during unexpected circumstances. ⋯ Although some people do have a predisposition to lead, leadership can be both learned and taught. In this article, we provide medical students with the tools that will help them acquire those qualities and thus make them more desirable by program directors.