You’re sitting in the emergency department with a broken leg, waiting for your turn. You glance over at your doctor, who seems to be watching a YouTube video on how to cast a leg. At first, it’s a bit unsettling. But then you realize – it might not be as strange as it sounds.
Free Open Access Medical Education (FOAMed) is a growing movement in the medical community aimed at enhancing medical education through online resources. From podcasts to videos to interactive web modules, FOAMed has made medical knowledge more accessible than ever before. The basic principle of FOAMed is its role as a complementary resource to traditional medical education. It offers easily accessible content and information that is community-driven and available on local, national and global levels.
In an era in which information is just a click away, it’s only natural that medical education should evolve. But with this shift comes important considerations.
One of the most important is the quality and accuracy of the information available. While the internet is overflowing with educational content, not all of it is reliable or up to date. To address this, many advocate for using only peer-reviewed, evidence-based materials. Websites like CanadiEM, which fosters a community for Canadian emergency medicine physicians, exemplify this commitment to high-quality, curated content. Equally important is the need for content creators to disclose their credentials. This transparency ensures that medical decisions are rooted in solid expertise and appropriate context. Given the variability in clinical practice across regions and institutions, understanding the background of content providers is essential to appropriately contextualizing their advice.
Since its inception in the early 2000s, FOAMed has evolved from a handful of founders into a thriving global community. Naturally, there is variability in the information shared, reflecting differences in training and guidelines across regions. For medical learners, this can be confusing and overwhelming, especially as FOAMed content spans across dynamic formats like social media (e.g., X), blogs, videos and podcasts. However, this same diversity also creates valuable opportunities, allowing learners to explore unique cases, gain insight into multiple approaches to common medical challenges, and connect with renowned physicians.
“During my preclinical years, I relied on YouTube videos and other online tools to understand basic science concepts.”
Traditional medical literature often moves at a slower pace, with data collection, analysis and publication sometimes taking years. In contrast, FOAMed allows for real-time dissemination of key concepts, clinical cases and medical pearls, ensuring timely access to modern information. FOAMed’s rising popularity in fields like emergency medicine, critical care and internal medicine underscores its role as a key resource for staying up-to-date on clinical guidelines, identifying emerging issues in healthcare, and fostering a vibrant community for shared learning.
Another challenge is that many excellent resources are not free, which contrasts with FOAMed’s core principle of open access. While paid resources often offer high-quality materials, they can be a financial burden – especially for medical learners early in their career, who may already be facing significant student debt. In Canada, for instance, many residents are burdened with an average debt of $164,688, making the cost of educational resources a significant consideration.
FOAMed has widespread use across many specialties, but it has become particularly influential in emergency medicine, where Canadian doctors often work in remote or resource-limited settings and may need quick access to clinical guidance. There are also valuable resources in areas like general surgery, pediatrics and beyond. Says a family medicine resident at the University of Toronto, “Online resources have been critical in my learning process as a medical student and now a first-year resident. From watching procedural videos to online modules on topics like ECG interpretation, FOAMed continues to improve my day-to-day clinical practice.”
Similarly, a second-year medical student at McMaster University explains, “During my preclinical years, I relied on YouTube videos and other online tools to understand basic science concepts. Now, as I navigate clinical electives, I use videos and articles to learn procedural skills and listen to podcasts by other medical students and residents to gain insights into managing real-life clinical situations. These resources help me bridge the gap between theory and practice.”
Both experiences are far from unique; a study published in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine found that 98 percent of emergency medicine residents use online medical education tools for core learning.
So, we should feel reassured when we see our doctors watching a video or reading an article during our visit. As long as they are following the principles of FOAMed, this behaviour reflects a commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on the latest medical knowledge. Instead of going in blind or with any doubts, your doctor is taking the time to be fully prepared to provide the best care possible.
