Episodes
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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
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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!
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Missing episodes?
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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.
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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).
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Join Brian Buchanan, Associate Professor and ultrasound guru, for a dose of iconoclasm and provocation. Recorded at the Critical Care Canada Forum in Toronto, and following a 2024 JICS publication by Brindley et al.
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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!
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Welcome to the Critical Care Commute Podcast! In this episode, we have the honor of hosting Dr. Dan Howes. Dr. Howes is a Professor in the Departments of Critical Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine. He is the founder and director of the Kingston Resuscitation Institute and initiated the first Fellowship in Resuscitation and Reanimation through the Department of Emergency Medicine at Queen’s.
Join us as we explore how simulation in medical training is revolutionizing the way healthcare professionals prepare for high-stakes scenarios. We'll also dive into the principles of stoicism and how this ancient philosophy can enhance resilience and decision-making under pressure. Finally, we'll discuss the latest insights from cognitive science and how they can be applied to improve performance and outcomes in critical care settings.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, a student, or simply curious about these compelling topics, this episode promises to be an enlightening journey into the cutting-edge strategies that are shaping the future of medical practice.
Stay tuned, and let's get started!
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We return to our Canadian Critical Care Forum series with this episode.
In this episode, we delve into the world of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) with Dr. Eddy Fan, a leading expert in critical care and ECMO specialist.
Eddy Fan is an associate professor in the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine and the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation at the University of Toronto and a staff intensivist at the University Health Network/Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Fan received his undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto, his medical degree from the University of Western Ontario, and a PhD in Clinical Investigation from Johns Hopkins University. He is currently the Medical Director of the Extracorporeal Life Support Program at the Toronto General Hospital, and the Director of Critical Care Research at the University Health Network/Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Fan’s research has focused on advanced life support for acute respiratory failure and patient outcomes from critical illness. These include investigations on the epidemiology and use of mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal life support in patients with ARDS, as well as on the development of ICU-acquired weakness, early rehabilitation in ICU patients, and long-term outcomes in survivors of critical illness.Join us as we take on this huge topic.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Welcome to our first episode of season three! We are kicking off with what is probably one of the most important topics to be discussed in modern medicine today: The rational use of antibiotics.
In this episode, we have the honor of hosting Dame Sally Davies, a renowned figure in global public health and former Chief Medical Officer for England. Dame Sally has been a leading voice in advocating for the rational use of antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance. Join us as we sit down with Dame Sally Davies to explore the intricacies of antibiotic stewardship and the urgent need for global action.
Throughout our conversation, we'll delve into the complexities surrounding antibiotic use, discussing the challenges of over prescribing, the rise of drug-resistant infections, and the implications for both human and animal health. This is a conversation you won't want to miss.
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In our latest episode, we sat down with Dr. Neil Spenceley, pediatric intensivist and Safety expert.
Listen as Dr. Spenceley unpacks safety and proposes a shift from a binary safety approach (safety 1 and safety 2) to resilient engineering and system performance. Dr. Neil emphasizes the holistic view encompassing efficiency, efficacy, safety, and staff well-being.
Drawing from incidents like Three Mile Island, he emphasizes the role of human factors in identifying and resolving issues, understanding work as work is done and the importance of understanding frontline work realities to bridge gaps between protocols and real-world scenarios, advocating for system redesign to reduce complexity.
We hope you enjoy this episode!
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Welcome to our next episode! In this episode, we again delve into the world of neuroprognostication with none other than Dr. Julie Kromm. Dr Kromm is a neurointensivist, who brings a wealth of expertise to the table and was one of the authors on the Canadian Position Statement for Neuro Prognostication after cardiac arrest.
Neuroprognostication is a field that combines the precision of neurology with the nuances of predicting outcomes in patients with severe neurological injury after cardiac arrest. Join us as Dr. Kromm guides us through looking behind the fog, using the physical examination appropriately and what to make of special testing.
Further Reading: 1. Neuroprognostication in the Post Cardiac Arrest Patient: A Canadian Cardiovascular Society Position Statemen. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjca.2022.12.014
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Welcome to another episode of "The Critical Care Commute" podcast! In this episode, Peter Brindley and Leon Byker sit down with special guest Elliot Sprague.
Elliot Sprague is an internist known for his unique perspective on healthcare and his remarkable journey through a recent health challenge.
In this episode, Elliot reflects on the shock of being diagnosed with a metastatic malignancy and how it changed his life. He discusses the impact of being present, engaged, and honest with patients, and how it has positively influenced his own well-being.
Elliot also delves into the emotional side of life, sharing how he encourages his son to express and deal with his feelings, describes the importance of naming and acknowledging emotions thus fostering a healthy approach to fear and anxiety.
Tune in to this episode for a profound conversation about life, medicine, and finding joy in the face of adversity. Elliot Sprague's unique perspective serves as an inspiration to both healthcare professionals and listeners navigating their own journeys.
Thank you for joining "The Critical Care Commute" podcast!
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Welcome to the Critical Care Commute Podcast, as we delve into the world of healthcare communication with one of the most esteemed voices in the field – Andre Picard.
Andre Picard, a renowned health columnist for The Globe and Mail, brings his wealth of knowledge and experience, providing insights into the vital role that effective communication plays in the world of healthcare. From doctor-patient interactions to public health messaging, Picard offers a unique perspective on how communication shapes our understanding of health issues and influences decision-making at both individual and societal levels.
In this episode, we explore the impact of media on healthcare perceptions, the role of social media in shaping health narratives, and the challenges of conveying accurate information in an era of misinformation. Join us for a thoughtful exploration of the nuances in healthcare communication, as we seek to enhance our understanding of the crucial link between effective communication and the overall well-being of individuals and communities.
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Welcome back to our second podcast from sunny San Diego! Stay classy, San Diego! Peter and Leon are again joined by Matteo, Jarrod, and Calvin for rapid fire cases! In this episode they discuss approaches to:
Rapid Fire Scenario 1 - Tracheostomy tube displacement.
Rapid Fire Scenario 2 - Hypoxemic patient going into Cardiac arrest
Topicalization Techniques
Handling the Soiled Airway - Video Laryngoscopy vs. Direct Laryngoscopy.
Join us as the team reflects on the benefits of spending time immersed in difficult airway scenarios. Airway management goes beyond mere intubation and involves cognitive skills, team management, and situational awareness. The Difficult Airway Course is a valuable experience for those interested in enhancing their airway management skills.
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