Main Topic

When a user first views a Topic, the MAIN TOPIC Field is displayed. The Main Topic contains essential introductory material including the following information:

1. Definition - describe precisely what the condition is, if appropriate
2. Classification or Categories - provide when appropriate
3. Clinical Presentation - Symptoms and Signs

SubTopics

Each Topic has SubTopic buttons down the right margin. After activation, the SubTopic appears as the primary window, and temporarily replaces the Main Topic until the user clicks the MAIN TOPIC button in the first "slot" at the top of the column of the right margin buttons.

Most Topics use a combination of the following SubTopics with specific functions which the Editor's should use where possible:

• Science/Etiology - Summarize basic science and cause.
• Epidemiology/Natural Hx - Provide general information.
• Diagnostic Studies - Includes important laboratory and imaging required to diagnose and work up the Topic.
• Differential Diagnosis - Present basic differential diagnosis.
• Treatment - Provide general and specialized treatment recommendations.
• Complications - Summarize known facts.
• Prognosis - Summarize known facts.
• Disposition - Recommendations about who can go home and who needs admission.
• Education/Prevention - Give facts for the general knowledge of the end-user (practitioner).
• Tips - Give 3 to 5 practice points for the practitioner.
• References - List 5 to 10 references from the evidence-based review.
• See Also - Links to related Topics and Minor Topics by shutting the current Topic and opening a new Topic to encourage users to navigate to related Topics no matter where they are located in PEMSoft.

 A total of 25 SubTopics may be associated with each Topic. Additional SubTopics may contain content associated with or relevant to the Topic.