The primary goal of LLSA is to promote continuous learning by diplomates. ABEM facilitates this learning by identifying an annual set of LLSA readings to guide diplomates in self-study of recent EM literature. The readings are designed as study tools and should be read critically. They are not intended to be all-inclusive and are not meant to define the standard of care for the clinical practice of EM.

One criterion for choosing articles is that they be easily available from a variety of sources, such as common Emergency Medicine texts, libraries, and Internet websites.  In addition, some publishers allow access to the articles directly from the ABEM public website, EMCC Online, or both by clicking on the underlined listings below:

• The Massachusetts Medical Society has provided full access to most readings selected for LLSA from the New England Journal of Medicine
• Elsevier, Inc. has provided Adobe Acrobat files to ABEM diplomates logged onto EMCC Online for readings from Academic Emergency Medicine selected for LLSA (Please note that Elsevier is no longer publishing Academic Emergency Medicine.  As a result, Adobe Acrobat files may be temporarily unavailable on EMCC Online for some articles from this journal.  ABEM is working with the new publisher to restore direct access to these articles.)
• Some publishers provide direct access to their website, possibly charging a fee or requiring login information to view the article
• Occasionally, as is the case for many book chapters, the publisher will not provide direct access or does not have Internet access to the article

Accesibility and fees are at the discretion of the publisher, and are not related to ABEM in any way.  ABEM sincerely appreciates the contributions of those publishers that have made the articles easily accessible to ABEM diplomates.  All questions regarding fees or login information required to access the readings should be directed to the publisher or organization that published the article.

06/25/08 ks