The Critical Care Commute Podcast

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.

In this episode, join us for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Andrew Baker, as he reflects on his time as the incident Commander of the Ontario Critical Care COVID Command Centre, during the COVID pandemic. Dr. Baker offers a firsthand account of the establishment and operation of this crucial hub in the battle against the pandemic, highlighting the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders. Dr. Andrew Baker is the Chief of the Departments of Critical Care and of Anesthesia, and the Medical Director of the Surgery and Critical Care Program at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto. Tune in as we uncover the dedication, innovation, and resilience driving our collective response to this unprecedented crisis.

Welcome to our latest episode, recorded live at the Critical Care Forum in Canada. We're joined by Dr. Stephanie Sibley and Dr. Michal Cwhalek, a Critical Care Trainee, to discuss Atrial Fibrillation, the most commonly sustained cardiac arrhythmia in critical care. Dr Stephanie Sibley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Queens University, Kingston, Canada. Her research interests include new onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients where she is developing methods for better quantifying atrial fibrillation burden using electronic monitoring, prevention and treatment strategies and determination of long-term atrial fibrillation outcomes.  Join us as we delve into the clinical importance, management approaches, and potential complications of AF in critically ill patients.

Welcome to the 2nd episode in our Critical Care Forum Canada 2023 podcast series, where we interview leading Canadian experts. In this episode, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and critical care medicine with Dr. Shelly Dev and David Maslove, recorded after a panel discussion held at the Conference in Toronto. Dr Dev is no stranger to our podcast and is a staff intensivist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada, where she serves as the director of education for Critical Care Medicine. Dr Maslove is a Clinician Scientist and Intensivist at Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada. His research focuses on the use of physiologic and genomic data to advance precision medicine in the ICU.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of our podcast series, recorded live at the Critical Care Canada Forum meeting of 2023. In our first episode, we are again joined by the esteemed Dr. Hannah Wunsch, expert in critical care medicine with a keen interest in the historical lessons we can glean from medical breakthroughs of the past. Today, we will continue exploring the lessons from the fight against polio and they shaped modern critical care practices. This is just the beginning, so buckle up and get ready to be inspired as we interview Dr. Hannah Wunsch and many more Canadian Critical Care luminaries, recorded live at the Critical Care Canada Forum meeting of 2023.