The Critical Care Commute Podcast

Coping with dying and saying what needs to be heard: Elliot Sprague Introduction: In this emotional episode, Peter Brindley, Leon Byker, and Elliot Sprague revisit Elliot’s journey with metastatic cancer, a year after his initial appearance on the podcast, Elliot reflects on the impact of living with a terminal illness, sharing life lessons, and offering insights on how he continues to thrive despite a difficult prognosis. This episode Elliot talks about acceptance, gratitude, and the importance of living each moment fully. Topics Discussed: Elliot’s cancer journey since his last appearance. Transition from curative treatment to a palliative diagnosis. The emotional challenges of facing terminal illness. Acceptance of reality and choosing how to live each day. The role of gratitude in maintaining emotional well-being. Coping with the loss of professional identity. Legacy-building and leaving meaningful gifts for loved ones. The importance of honest conversations about death. Support systems: family, friends, and the medical community. Practical tools for mindfulness and mental well-being. Timeline: 00:00 - 01:30: Introduction and re-welcoming Elliot Sprague to the show. 01:31 - 05:20: Elliot updates on his cancer journey, including treatment successes and setbacks. 05:21 - 10:00: The shift from a curative approach to palliative care. 10:01 - 15:45: Acceptance, gratitude, and how Elliot thrives with his diagnosis. 15:46 - 20:55: Discussing HyPEC surgery and reflecting on end-of-life realities. 20:56 - 25:30: Legacy-building, gratitude practice, and leaving meaningful messages for loved ones. 25:31 - 30:10: Coping with family grief and how Elliot's wife Danielle plays a crucial role. 30:11 - 35:50: The power of mindfulness in Elliot’s journey and how it changed his outlook. 35:51 - 40:15: The role of humor and connection in facing terminal illness. 40:16 - 45:00: Final reflections, messages of gratitude, and an emotional conclusion. Thank you Elliot for joining us! https://www.gofundme.com/f/dr-elliott-sprague-and-family?attribution_id=sl:c52d4c83-2649-4ce0-a003-651776f01205&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_ft&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=email

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Damon Scales and Dr. Niall Ferguson at the Canadian Critical Care Forum. We dive into a little bit of ARDS and spend a whole lot of time talking about the evolving landscape of conferences and critical care research. Tune in for insights from two leaders in the field!

Join us as Prof. Stephen Lapinski answers our questions on Obstetric critical care. Stephen Lapinsky is Director of the Intensive Care Unit at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto and Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. His clinical practice includes general Critical Care Medicine and ambulatory Respirology. He has a clinical and research interest in critical illness and respiratory disease in the pregnant patient. He is an officer of the North American Society of Obstetric Medicine (NASOM) and is co-Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Obstetric Medicine.

Join us as we discuss ARDS, Research and balancing life as a researcher with Professor Charlotte summers, Director of the Heart and Lung Research Institute (HLRI).

Join James Downar Head of Palliative and End of Life Care and a Critical Care Doc in Ottawa. He has walked the walk on this topic since before its introduction in Canada. Nobody is better qualified to discuss this thorny topic. 

Brian Buchanan, an Associate Professor and ultrasound guru, shares his passion for revolutionizing ultrasound in medicine. He discusses the critical need for effective training and mentorship in critical care ultrasound programs. The conversation touches on the evolution of central line placement, highlighting how ultrasound reduces unnecessary x-rays. Innovations like machine learning and virtual reality are explored, aimed at enhancing ultrasound education. Buchanan emphasizes the importance of balancing traditional methods with cutting-edge technology to improve patient outcomes.

Thank you for your patience! After a short break, we are back with a delightful interview with Dr. Jeff Drazen, the esteemed former Editor-in-Chief of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). In this episode, we explore the critical journey of transforming medical research into practical, patient-and-family centered care. We emphasize the importance of bringing humanity back into healthcare and ensuring that scientific advancements translate into meaningful outcomes for patients and families, right at the bedside. Listen as we explore modern forms of knowledge translation, the challenges they pose, and how healthcare professionals can navigate these complexities to enhance patient care. With a distinguished career at the helm of one of the world's leading medical journals, Dr. Drazen's episode is one that you don't want to miss!

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Dan Howes, a Professor in Critical Care Medicine and founder of the Kingston Resuscitation Institute, shares his expertise on simulation in medical training and its revolutionary impact. He draws parallels with aviation training, emphasizing teamwork and cognitive bandwidth under pressure. The discussion delves into stoicism as a tool for resilience, exploring its modern applications in high-stress environments. Dr. Howes also examines cognitive complexity and how emotional regulation can enhance decision-making in critical care.

Dr. Eddy Fan, ECMO specialist, discusses patient-centric approaches to ECMO. They cover patient selection, equity in access to ECMO treatment, transport teams for ECMO patients, and strategies for special populations during the pandemic.

We take a quick break from our Canada Critical Care Forum series, for a special episode. We had the privilege of hosting Dr. Rob Fowler, visiting professor at the University of Alberta as part of the Dr. Noel Gibney lecture series. Dr. Fowler is a critical care physician and Tory Trauma Program Chief at Sunnybrook Hospital and Chair of the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. Rob’s academic interests include access and outcomes of care for critically ill patients and those near the end of life – in a global context. He has assisted or worked with national and international health care organizations during SARS, pandemic and avian influenza, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Ebola and COVID-19. Dr. Fowler shared invaluable insights into the concept of "Critical Care Without Borders," emphasizing the universal principles and challenges inherent in critical care medicine. Throughout the episode, Dr. Fowler's passion for improving patient care and his commitment to advancing critical care education and research were evident. Tune in to this enlightening conversation as we explore the boundless possibilities and inherent responsibilities of providing Critical Care Without Borders.