Frequently Asked Questions

Case Upload


What is the size limit for files I want to upload?

No individual file may exceed 2MB. There is no limit to the number of files you can upload. If you have a larger, but important file that you feel is essential, please contact Voz.

 

What types of files are permitted?

In an effort to make it ridiculously easy to post your cases, almost any file format will be accepted for upload. Of course we'd prefer you at least take a stab at putting it into a file like the template.doc, but we are just as happy to have a scanned image of your note cards.


Please NOTE: Cases for peer review will need to conform to a more strict standard. Read more

 

ANY CASE MATERIAL WHICH EVEN REMOTELY APPEARS TO VIOLATE SOMEONES PRIVACY RIGHTS (HIPPA), COPYRIGHT, OR IS IN ANY WAY "NOT COOL" WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM THE SITE.


I WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR FILES.


The following formats have been permitted.
If you feel that something is missing, please contact Voz

File Type
Extension

Image

jpg, tif

Spreadsheet

xls

Microsoft Word

doc

Text

txt

Adobe

pdf

Movies

mov, wmv

Sounds

wav

Microsoft Powerpoint

ppt

 

METI and Laerdal format files (ahn, sce, tnd, hs6, hnd) files should be compressed and uploaded as zip files, since Windows security does not allow users to download those files from our server.

 

We are NOT supported by any particular company.


Peer Review

There are several tiers of review offered at the case library.

First Tier (all cases) Whenever a case is uploaded, I get an email informing me as such. In an effort to keep up with the web site, I will take a look and make sure that the "case" isn't a picture of someone's grandmother or other such nonsense. We love granny, but she doesn't help us train and evaluate medical folks.
As long as the "case" seems to conform to the mission of the IG, it stays, but unless a peer review was requested, it stands on its own merits.
All cases are subject to user review and rating. This is an informal feedback mechanism and is not considered a formal peer review.
Second Tier (a peer review is requested)

Authors may request a peer review by the Simulation Interest Group Editorial Board. This will require the author to give additional thought and effort to the case. There are many fields which are mandatory. Use of the IG template is not required, but STRONGLY advised. It may assist you in organizing your thoughts.

Cases can be moved from status to status (peer review to non peer review or vice versa) by contacting me.

Give careful consideration to the following:
If you request a peer review, it is possible that your case will not be eligible for publication by other means.
Its not my rule. I want you to get all of the credit possible for you academic efforts and would never wish to have you be disappointed or feel mislead. Journal editors may feel that this website constitutes "Prior publicaton." If asked I will go to bat for you, but please know that the journal editor will have the final say. The new simulation journal Simulation in Healthcare has a section for cases and scenarios. Please take a look at that as an outlet for your work too. Contact me with questions.

 

Third Tier (a submission to the AAMC MEDED PORTAL is requested)

We are working on this-- please contact me with questions. Ideally before you submit your cases.

Experimental path I am working on creating a wiki page so that a real collaborative effort is possible. I have no idea how this will pan out.

What is a "case" vs. a "supplement"?

The "case" is the main document, ideally a description of how a trainer sets the stage for the simulation, and the expected outcome of the case presentation. This file will tell others how to run the case and what to expect from the trainee. The case "belongs" to the person who uploads it. It may be revised by submitting a new version. Otherwise it remains unchanged/intact as a stand alone.

 

A "supplement" is a file that is uploaded by another interested party or the case author that could go with the case. This may include a suggested modification, setting change or stimulus. You may wish to suggest a way to make the case better. You may wish to simply provide an alternative ECG or X-ray to go with the case. Perhaps a sound file, or a movie of how you do it. These files are not really considered part of the case, just other ideas and alternatives. It's a great way to contribute your thoughts and ideas. If the author of the case wants to adopt your thoughts the two (or more) of you should communicate and author a new version.


What's with the ratings section?

The ability of the case user to review the cases was felt to be of real added value. The "grades" or numerical score allows those who are skimming through the cases to see what others though were the best cases.

 

A comment about comments:
Comments may be anonymous (for the lilly-livered) or identified by author. Comments are just that, comments. They give the users an opportunity to give feedback. Authors may wish to comment on their own work, or on other's comments. If the comments seem out of line or less than up to the professional standard of the group, I will delete or edit them.

 

What is a "simjockey"?

It's the guy or gal (tech) who runs the computer to make the case "go".

 

What is a WIKI?

Briefly, It's a free for all of ideas. Documents that are created in this manner are collaborative efforts. Take a look at the wikipedia.org

 

Where Can I find my files on the server?

This is an important question for anyone interested in documenting the exact location of their file. This would be necessary if you wanted to link your document to another location or for your CV.  (Note that if you uploaded a file prior to our site upgrade in October 2006, the original link to your file still works and will redirect users to its new location.)

 

1. Go to the case library main page and locate your case.

2. Select  "View Case", then copy the URL.

3. The "Download File" link in blue is the location of your original case file.

 

What if I want to edit my submission?

At this time you can't, so be very careful when uploading. If you have made modifications to your case and feel that it represents an improved version of your original case upload, please resubmit it and assign a new version number to your case.


Where can I get my other questions answered?

Contact John Vozenilek MD FACEP
simjockey@gmail.com