Web Alert

Abstract

Closing the Gap www.lacerationrepair.com Description: This is a great educational resource for any health care professional who deals with wounds in an acute setting. Created by an emergency medicine physician, it contains information on a multitude of wound closure techniques, from basic suturing, to advanced suturing, to more complex closures and special cases. It touches on more advanced anesthesia techniques, burn care, and alternatives to usual suturing. The author has created a blog of interesting or educational cases with photos and thoughtful take-away points. There is a nice balance of text and instructional videos to make this a user-friendly, approachable resource. Anyone providing medical coverage on the sidelines of games or events should take a look at this site. Cost: Free Natural Running Center www.naturalrunningcenter.com Description: This is a comprehensive resource for runners. The Natural Running Center was created by three avid and accomplished runners, all with experience and a passion for natural running. Referred to as a virtual home for the “re-evolution” in running, it provides information on minimalist running, footwear, tips for injury prevention, and healthy running habits. There is a lot of text, but you can scroll through topics of interest to pick and choose what to read. Also available through this site is a library of articles and free e-books relevant to natural running. Cost: Free President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition www.fitness.gov Description: Produced by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, this is a government site with the goal of educating and motivating Americans to lead healthy and active lifestyles. The inception of the Council dates back to President Eisenhower’s creation of the President’s Council on Youth Fitness, and since then, every administration has tweaked and contributed to the Council’s mission, which has expanded to include all ages. The site is a great resource for health care professionals to point their patients for guidelines about physical activity and nutrition, and it offers helpful facts and resources for healthy lifestyles. Several of the Council’s members are well-known American figures who help promote this mission. Cost: Free BoxingScene www.boxingscene.com Description: This is a very busy site that is loaded with information for boxers and anyone who follows boxing. It features top boxing articles, schedules, videos, and a free forum. In the margin of the home page is a section titled “BoxingScene Extra,” which is rich in topics related to health, nutrition, fitness, and psychology. Most of the articles are written in a blog format and are written by enthusiasts who have a qualification to write and comment on the topic. Even if you are not a boxer, much of the information is universally helpful. Cost: Free Casting and Splinting www.med.uottawa.ca/procedures/cast Description: A site created by the University of Ottawa’s Department of Emergency Medicine for the purpose of rotating students’ clinical experience, it has great information for any health care professional treating patients for acute injuries requiring splinting or casting. It offers instructional videos for the application of most splints and casts. It is a valuable resource for a learner at any level or for someone needing a refresher on techniques. Skip over the information intended for the students about to do a clerkship in the department, and find the videos at the bottom of the page. Cost: Free