Tools
- Blogs RSS feeds: Google reader (http://www.google.com/reader)
- Podcasts: Downcast app (www.downcastapp.com)
- Stay in touch, network, and have instant discussions: Twitter, Google+
The only way that the content in these resources are relevant to me is after having a good foundation with textbook reading and reading journal articles. This is Seth Trueger (@MDAware) take on the cautionary use of social media.
I used to listen to podcasts in my car mostly on the way to work and on the way back (Always pay attention to the road). I read new blog posts (especially the short ones) while on breaks, waiting in line, etc. I use freemergencytalks.net by Joe Lex for specific lectures, mostly on patient-centered topics to see how I can improve my practice.
I am very, very selective. My selection process:
- Who is the author?
- Is this up to date?
- Is this relevant to my practice?
- Is it relatively short?
If a posts is really long and it’s an essay on everything on that has to do with topic I don’t read it, I just go to the textbook. I love posts and podcasts that deal with a specific question, is conversational, casual, yet informative.
Other resources about filtering which are worth looking at
- Information overload (Life In The Fast Lane)- examples of failure to filter
- How to follow posts via RSS Feeds on the iPad (EMCrit)
- A med student’s take on EM blogs and podcasts (ShortCoatsInEM)
- A master list of EM blogs and podcasts (Life in the Fast Lane)
Here are some of the top resources that I filter through
- Academic Life in Emergency Medicine
- EMBasic
- EMCrit
- EM Literature of Note
- ERCast
- High Quality Medical Education (hqmeded)
- Life in the Fast Lane
- Prehospital Med
- Univ of Maryland EKG videos (ekgumem)
The key for me is I know where to go when I have a specific question that needs to be answered. I filter the information, make sure I have a good knowledge background, and have fun. I hope this helps.
_____________________________
Lisa B. Marshall on communication overload: Although she is commercially sponsored (I have no affiliation), I think she gives good, and succinct advice. (Part 1, Part 2)
Author information
The post Filter it: Keeping up with digital information overload appeared first on ALiEM.