background

Clinical Pearls: Building a Knowledge-base

Published 14 days ago • 3 min read

This week's topic: Tips on Building a Knowledge-base

Like many in functional medicine, I always feel like I need to know more. I'm even behind on rewatching videos from conference from 2 years ago!

Sound familiar?

When I was seeing 8-12 patients a day at a previous functional medicine job, I realized I couldn't deliver efficient, high-quality care without organized support. So I created a "Knowledge-base" which I use for quick access, and link my notes from conferences to the knowledge-base (instead of keeping everything in one massive file).

Last year I started adding more scientific literature and clarifications to my Knowledge-base (I often share these in my weekly Wisdom Wednesdays in the FMC mentorship). For example, I wanted clarity on the MOA for common supplements we use for estrogen metabolism support (I3C, DIM, CDG, and sulforaphane). After researching this, I added it to my knowledge-base document (and shared my research in the mentorship).

In this email, I'm sharing tips for building your own Knowledge-base, plus my outline for MCAS (the topic I am currently updating and improving).

Overview of today's email:

  1. Resources & Tips for Building a Knowledge-base
  2. Example Outline for MCAS

Resources & Tips for Building a Knowledge-base

There are many resources we can use for note-taking...

  • Computer-based programs (e.g. Microsoft Excel or Word, Apple Numbers or Pages)
  • Cloud-based programs (e.g. DropBox, EverNote)
  • Apps (e.g. Notion)
  • Write directly on PowerPoints

When I am attending a class or course, I try to follow the steps below:

  1. Review the PowerPoints and use a modified SQ3R method
  2. Write out a brief outline of what to expect from the class or lecture
  3. Take notes (often per the Cornell Note-Taking Method)
  4. Finally, after the class, I re-review material and organize my notes by topic in DropBox so I can link them to my Knowledge-base in a Google document (I like having the ability to condense and expand each topic)

Example Outline for MCAS

The following is an outline for MCAS that I will be presenting for the mentorship in the beginning of March. At the end of 2 weeks, I will be showing how I insert this into my Knowledge-base (since I don't include all this information in the Knowledge-base).

  1. Introduction
    1. Big picture review of MCAS
    2. Key considerations
  2. The biology
    1. Mast cells
    2. Mediators released by mast cells
    3. Deeper dive into histamine
  3. Overview of mast cell-related disorders
    1. Symptoms
    2. Conditions where mast cells are likely involved
    3. Types of MCAS
    4. Genetics
    5. MCAS vs Histamine-Intolerance
  4. Triggers and Root Causes
    1. Health history
    2. Most common triggers
    3. Endogenous triggers
    4. Exogenous/environmental triggers
  5. Evaluation and testing
    1. Key findings from a comprehensive health history
    2. Commercial lab testing
    3. Non-traditional testing (functional testing, imaging)
    4. Questionnaires
    5. Challenges with testing
  6. Diagnosis
    1. Criteria for diagnosis
    2. Challenges with diagnosis
  7. Treatments
    1. Overview of options
    2. Foundations
    3. Preventing mast cell degranulation
    4. Pharmaceuticals
    5. Supplements
    6. Anti-histamines vs mast cell stabilizers
    7. "Inhibitory" treatments
    8. Miscellaneous support
  8. Clinical tips
    1. Setting expectations and goals with patients
    2. Methodical plan of care
    3. Follow ups
    4. Words of wisdom
  9. Resources and references

Interested in journeying through this outline, filling it in, and creating your own?

Join me for the 2-week MCAS Intensive "Workshop"!

Instead of passively watching lectures and taking notes, you'll collaborate with fellow clinicians to create a comprehensive, practical MCAS guide tailored for real-world clinical application (and with evidence-supported references).

What you'll get:

  • Expert guidance on MCAS diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management
  • Support for creating a complete, organized clinical reference document
  • Peer insights and discussions with other clinicians on managing MCAS
  • Leave with a resource you can actually use in clinic

Dates: March 1-14 (live recorded webinars Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 3pm MST)

Cost: $99

Hope to see you in a few weeks!

I hope this was clinically useful!

Meg

Additional resources that may be helpful:

New resource - A 2-page clinical reference document on Leaky Gut Syndrome ($49). Code LGS10 for $10 off through March! I am creating a series of these and have been calling them my "back up brain" (BUBs), but am professionally calling these Evidence Essentials :)

Every time one of you chooses to support me financially, it tells me my effort and words matter. It’s validation. It’s fuel.

Thank you for believing in this work — and in me.

Did you know my mentorship has two tiers: one with mentor calls, and one with platform and discussion access only? In this (intentionally) small collaborative community, I aim to get to know each member and their unique challenges as we navigate the nuances of real-world functional medicine. Click on one of the buttons below to learn more about the options at FMC and/or apply!

I do my best to share information you find helpful, but if it's not to your standards, please let me know what I can do better by replying directly to this email (it's my personal email). No worries, too, if you need to unsubscribe via the link below.

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​
background

Subscribe to Collaborative Medicine