CoROM cast. Wilderness, Austere, Remote and Resource-limited Medicine.

Aebhric O'Kelly discusses Tactical Medicine North's efforts to enhance casualty care in Ukraine, focusing on damage control resuscitation. They train combat medics and non-medics through various courses, emphasizing blood resuscitation and prolonged casualty care. The urgent need for updated training protocols is explored, considering the realities of conflict. Continuous education is highlighted as essential for adapting medical practices, ensuring combat personnel are well-prepared for emergencies. The collaboration with global initiatives aims to elevate medical standards in challenging environments.

This week, Aebhric talks with Dr Sean Keenan, one of the founders of the Prolonged Field Care Working Group. They discuss his background and the development of PFC. They talk about creating the Austere Emergency Care course, which brings the lessons of prolonged field care to the civilian environment. He emphasises the importance of providing relevant and practical training that sparks interest and fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals. The conversation covers the benefits of being a non-profit organisation, the importance of continuous learning and humility in austere environments, the role of professional organisations like SOMA in supporting special operations medics, and the value of connecting with like-minded individuals in the field. The guests advise new paramedics, SOCM medics, nurses, and doctors interested in working in austere environments. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:44 Formation of the Prolonged Field Care Working Group 30:20 The Creation of Specialized Medical Standards 40:16 The Benefits of Being a Non-profit Organisation 42:40 The Role of Professional Organizations in Supporting Special Operations Medics 45:04 Connecting with Like-Minded Individuals in the Field 49:02 Advice for new Paramedics, SOCMs, Nurses, and Doctors in working in austere environments   Takeaways The Prolonged Field Care Working Group was formed to address the need for extended medical care in austere environments by Sean Keenan, Paul Loos and Dennis Jarema. The group developed the Austere Emergency Care course to teach civilian remote medics the lessons of prolonged field care. The course is designed to provide relevant and practical training that sparks interest and fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals. Creating the Specialized Medical Standards non-profit organisation allows for the continued support and development of the Prolonged Field Care Working Group and the Austere Emergency Care course. A non-profit organisation can open doors and create opportunities in various fields, including medical and educational institutions. Continuous learning, humility, and being a team player are essential qualities for working in austere environments. Professional organisations like SOMA provide a platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and solving operational problems in special operations medicine. Connecting with like-minded individuals in the field can lead to valuable collaborations and sharing of knowledge and experiences. New paramedics, SOCMs, nurses, and doctors should focus on being excellent medical professionals, always learning, and acting in the best interests of their patients and teams.

This week, Aebhric O'Kelly talks with Rae Richburg, who attended almost three months of CoROM short courses this Spring term. Rae talks about her work as a registered nurse in prison psychiatric wards. She discussed her experiences spending three months in Pretty Bay, Malta, taking every CPD course on the schedule.

This week, Aebhric O'Kelly talks with Bobby Litton, a paramedic and teacher, and discusses his career and aspirations in pre-hospital medicine. He shares his experiences working in Iraq and the UK and his pursuit of advanced degrees and certifications. Bobby emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and surrounding oneself with knowledgeable and skilled individuals. He advises those interested in working in austere environments, including gaining experience through volunteering and investing in education.   Keywords paramedic, pre-hospital medicine, career, aspirations, experience, advanced degrees, certifications, learning, volunteering, education   Takeaways Continuous learning and self-improvement are essential in the field of pre-hospital medicine. To enhance your skills and knowledge, surround yourself with knowledgeable and skilled individuals. Gaining experience through volunteering and participating in expeditions can be valuable for working in austere environments. Investing in education and pursuing advanced degrees and certifications can open up opportunities for career advancement. Strive to be a better medic and constantly evaluate and improve your skills and knowledge.   Sound Bites "We all love trauma. It's all the primary care stuff that is our bread and butter." "The course is shifted to the environment with training paramedics to work in a pre-hospital condition that can provide the prolonged field care treatment in resource-poor environments without a lot of help."   Chapters  00:00 Introduction and Background 02:50 Paramedic Training and Challenges 07:52 Career Path and Future Plans 11:02 Working in the UK and Hospital Challenges 14:56 Transitioning to ACP and Specializations 25:08 Importance of Education and Continuous Learning 29:03 Teaching and Mentoring in Pre-hospital Medicine 32:00 Advice for New Paramedics and Healthcare Professionals

This week, Aebhric O’Kelly talks with Yvette Nunes, a cruise ship nurse, who shares her experience working on an expedition ship and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents. She discusses the expedition's mission: to take guests to new and remote areas and provide them with close-up nature experiences. Yvette explains the day-to-day life of a nurse on board, including managing the medical centre, accompanying the expedition team on landings, and being on call 24/7. She also highlights the importance of continuous professional development and her training in Malta. Yvette shares memorable cases she has dealt with, such as managing bleeding oesophageal varices and performing blood transfusions on board. She offers advice for healthcare professionals interested in working in austere environments.   Takeaways Embarking on a career as a nurse on an expedition ship is a unique journey filled with challenges and opportunities. It's a chance to experience remote areas and provide medical care in diverse environments, a prospect that is both thrilling and inspiring. In this field, continuous professional development is not just encouraged, it's a necessity. It's a commitment to enhancing your skills and knowledge in emergency and critical care medicine, a journey that will keep you motivated and always striving for more. The medical team on board must be prepared to handle various medical conditions and emergencies, from myocardial infarctions to anaphylaxis. Having telemedicine capabilities and access to specialists is crucial when working in remote areas with limited access to definitive care. Healthcare professionals interested in working in austere environments should take advantage of online learning opportunities and seek out companies that invest in training and development.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:31 The Mission of the Expedition Ship 09:11 Medical Challenges and Responsibilities 13:08 Importance of Continuous Professional Development 21:24 Daily Life on an Expedition Cruise Ship 26:20 Training and Qualifications for Shipboard Medical Staff 28:25 Memorable Medical Cases 31:27 Future Plans and Career Advancement 39:02 Advice for Healthcare Professionals in Austere Environments

Mike Turconi is a CoROM MSc student working as an advanced care paramedic in Canada with experience in austere medicine; he shares insights from his career and academic pursuits. He discusses his experiences in Canada, Ukraine, and Tanzania, highlighting the challenges and rewards of working in austere environments. Mike also provides advice for healthcare professionals interested in this field. Keywords austere medicine, paramedic, healthcare, clinical practice, academic pursuit, career advice, remote medicine, critical care, humanitarian work Takeaways Austere medicine requires a different mindset and approach to problem-solving because it requires more resources and diagnostic equipment. Clinical experience in austere environments provides valuable learning opportunities and requires a willingness to engage in all aspects of patient care. New healthcare professionals interested in austere medicine should open their minds, look at problems from different perspectives, and be prepared for unconventional solutions. Mike Turconi emphasises the importance of enjoying and excelling in one's current role rather than constantly seeking the next certification or degree. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mike Turconi and His Career 03:01 Transitioning to Austere Environments and Clinical Practice 12:57 Experiences in Tanzania and Lessons Learned 38:56 Advice for Healthcare Professionals Interested in Austere Medicine

This week, Aebhric O'Kelly talks with Eric Bauer, a pillar in the nursing and paramedic education community. They discuss his journey with FlightBridgeEd, his passion for medical education, and the impact of global healthcare. The conversation covers the founding of FlightBridg Ed, the importance of education in underserved areas, and the collaboration between FlightBridgeEd and the College. Eric shares insights on the future of medical education and the need for continuous learning and humility in the medical field. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Eric Bauer and FlightBridge Ed 08:53 The Founding of FlightBridge Ed and its Impact 33:32 The Future of Medical Education and Continuous Learning Takeaways The founding of FlightBridge Ed and its impact on advanced medical training The importance of education in underserved areas and the potential for a nonprofit arm of FlightBridgeEd The collaboration between FlightBridgeEd and the College, focusing on cross-pollination and strategic planning The future of medical education and the need for continuous learning and humility in the medical field

This week, Aebhric talks with Angela Jedlicka, who is the CoROM registrar. They discuss her passion for mentoring students, junior nurses and flight medics.

Dr Ella Corrick discusses her experiences at the Special Operations Medical Association's conference, her work in mountain rescue, and her insights from the AEC instructor development course. She also shares her experiences with traditional American food and her involvement in the CoROM doctoral programme.   Keywords Special Operations Medical Association, conference experiences, mountain rescue, AEC instructor development course, traditional American food, Coram doctoral program   Takeaways Cross-pollination of ideas and practices at the SOMA conference Challenges and experiences in mountain rescue operations Insights from the AEC instructor development course Exploring traditional American food experiences Overview of the CoROM doctoral program   Sound Bites "I enjoyed it so much more than I expected. I don't eat a lot of kind of fried food. I eat a lot of unhealthy food, don't get me wrong." "The doctoral programme that Coram offers is a taught doctorate, by which I mean there are several taught modules which cover aspects such as global health, medical ethics, academic writing, research methodology, and then there is a two -year period if you're full -time to work on your thesis exclusively, so there's still a very heavy researchcomponent."   Chapters 00:00 Insights from the SOMA Conference 05:00 Challenges in Mountain Rescue Operations 20:00 Exploring Traditional American Food 25:00 CoROM Doctoral Program Overview

This week, Aebhric O’Kelly talks with Eric Holmstrøm, who runs the mobile training team and short courses in Malta, and discusses his experiences and upcoming projects. He talks about his background in the Norwegian military and his involvement in training NATO Special Forces. Eric also mentions the success of the tactical paramedic exam and the need for more European representation in the exam. He highlights the popularity of the courses in Malta, such as the Austere and prehospital ultrasound course, the Tropical Travel and Expeditionary Medicine course, and the ICARE course. Eric also discusses upcoming MTTs in Ukraine and the importance of teaching proper tourniquet use. The conversation covers topics related to austere medicine and training in challenging environments. One key theme is using technology, such as the Medic Tool app, to improve documentation and patient care. The app provides alarms for tourniquet and medication timing and the ability to send digital patient information to the next level of care. They also discuss the importance of improvised medicine and the ability to manage critically ill patients with minimal equipment. The conversation also mentions upcoming courses in Sweden, Norway, and Germany and the potential for an Arctic AEC course. Takeaways Eric Holmstrom runs the mobile training team and short courses in Malta. He has a background in the Norwegian military and has trained NATO Special Forces. The tactical paramedic exam has been successful, but there is a need for more European representation. Courses in Malta, such as Austere and prehospital ultrasound, Tropical Travel and Expeditionary Medicine, and ICARE, are popular. Upcoming MTTs in Ukraine will focus on eye care and training instructors. Proper tourniquet use is important, as misuse can lead to amputations. The Medic Tool app provides alarms and documentation features to improve patient care in austere environments. Improvised medicine skills are crucial for managing critically ill patients with minimal equipment. Training courses in Sweden, Norway, and Germany offer opportunities to learn about austere medicine and general practitioner medicine in rural areas. The potential for an Arctic AEC course highlights the unique challenges of working in cold environments. Using technology in austere medicine can help lighten the load and provide better patient care. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:23 Experience at SOMA and the Success of the Tactical Paramedic Exam 08:57 Popular Courses in Malta 13:12 Upcoming MTTs in Ukraine 27:33 Enhancing Documentation and Nursing Care 31:18 Improving Information Sharing and Telemedicine 35:08 Upcoming Training Courses 42:35 The Importance of Improvised Medicine 45:26 Using Technology to Enhance Austere Medicine Keywords Eric Holmstrom, mobile training team, short courses, Malta, Norwegian military, NATO Special Forces, tactical paramedic exam, European representation, Austere and prehospital ultrasound, Tropical Travel and Expeditionary Medicine, ICARE, MTT, Ukraine, tourniquet use, austere medicine, training, technology, documentation, patient care, Medic Tool app, tourniquet, medication timing, improvised medicine, courses, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Arctic AEC course