Episodes
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In today’s episode I cover the ‘Past Saqs’ from ‘Applied Cardiac Physiology.” The first SAQ looks at the consequence of tourniquet release after two hours (01:23) followed by the process’s that cause oliguria in hypovolemic shock (09:45). Then I go through the model answers for CVS responses in severe blood loss (14:39), the effects of infusing Hartmann’s solution (16:51) and briefly the impact of IPPV (21:52). Finally, the remaining SAQs look at the effects of a central neuraxial blockade (22:44), the effects of a pneumoperitoneum (27:01) and the effects of ageing and obesity (30:57). Good luck to all the viva sitters this week and thanks for listening! As always if you have any feedback let me know
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Today I'm doing a 'Live Practice Viva'. Thanks to Celia for doing this!! I hope you get some technical and non-technical skills from the video. The two topics were: Immune System and Neurophysiology. Topic 1 starts (02:32) with 1 minute thinking time and Topic 2 starts (07:33). We then go through some feedback. Thanks for watching! As always if you have any feedback let me know at [email protected]
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Missing episodes?
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Today I cover the topic ‘Applied Cardiac Physiology.” This is the biggest topic so far in our cardiology series and I had to divide it into 2 parts. Today I look at the LO’s starting first with the CVS effects of pneumoperitoneum (01:19) and the effects that occur with changes in patient position (06:13). Then I discuss the cardiovascular responses to exercise (12:45), Valsalva (16:58) and positive pressure ventilation (22:30). Then we go into depth examining the changes that occur with ageing (28:42) and obesity (32:35). The final LO for today is multiple LO’s in one and a very deep dive looking into all aspects of shock (37:13). In Part 2 of this topic, I will go through the SAQs. Thanks for listening! As always if you have any feedback let me know
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Today I cover the topic ‘Regional Circulation.” This has one very big learning objective that looks at the factors that govern blood pressure. To understand this, we have to first understand how the systemic circulation works (02:29) and second the physics which control blood flow (08:42), together this helps us to understand the factors that make blood pressure (18:07). I then take a deeper look at total peripheral vascular resistance (19:55) and microcirculation (24:49). The BIG topic for today is understanding the control arc of blood pressure (32:04) and this includes talking about the baroreceptor reflex. Finally, we look at some past SAQs (42:06). Next episode I will go through ‘Applied Cardiac Physiology.’ Thanks for listening! As always if you have any feedback let me know
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Today I cover a huge topic ‘Control of Cardiac Output & Pressure.” This used to be one big learning objective with 4 subsections that I will go through today. Frist I define and describe the classic terms of preload, afterload and contractility (01:19). Then I delve into the frank starling mechanism (12:34). Followed by a long look at the Guyton Curves (16:02) and the LV Pressure-Volume Loop (28:38). At the end I have some time to look at the past SAQs (34:04). This is a very diagram heavy topic and I highly recommend reviewing these diagrams in detail in preparation for the exam. Next episode I will go through ‘Regional Circulation.’ Thanks for listening! As always if you have any feedback let me know
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Today I cover the ‘Myocardial Oxygen Supply and Demand.' This topic has 2 main learning objectives, first I cover the anatomy of the heart including the coronary vessels (0:55) and then take a more in depth look at the factors that affect supply and demand (12:54). As always, I end with reviewing the past SAQs, today I have some from the ANZCA and the CICM exams (27:10). Next episode I will go through ‘Control of Cardia Output and Pressure.’ Thanks for listening! As always if you have any feedback let me know
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Today I’m back with the first topic for Cardiac Physiology – ‘Electrophysiology.’ This is a huge first topic despite only covering two learning objects. I start by covering the ionic basis of automaticity (01:22) then look at the normal and abnormal process of cardiac excitation (04:02). I briefly then cover the basis of an ECG (12:58), the factors that affect cardiac electrical activity along with the pathway of electrical activity generation in the heart (17:55). Finally, to finish this first mammoth learning objective I describe the mechanical events of the cardiac cycle (21:51). The second learning objective for today cover the process of excitation contraction coupling (28:42) which is favourite of some examiners by linking it to cardiac pharmacology. As always, I end with reviewing the past SAQs, today I have some from the ANZCA and the CICM exams (36:33). Next episode I will go through ‘Myocardial O2 Supply and Demand.’ Thanks for listening! As always if you have any feedback let me know
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I'm back for season 3, in this season I'm going to cover cardiac physiology with the aim to finish this topic before the next primary written sitting. I also have a few announcements including a viva boot camp. If you are interested send me a email: [email protected]
Thank as always for listening!
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Happy New Year listeners! Today’s "MiniPod" is sadly my last for a few months as I take a break to sit my part 2 exam. I have put a lot in this pod and it’s not really that “mini.” I first start by discussing the foetal circulation and the shunts that help this circulation with the transition from foetal to neonatal circulation (01:30). Then I look at the differences in the anatomy of neonatal airway and the clinical implications of this (09:48). Finally, we look that physiological difference between a neonate and adult (15:44). As always we look at the past SAQS (23:48) and opening viva stem (38:38). Hope you guys enjoy the pod and thank you for your support, see you in a few months! If you have any questions please email me! As always thank you for listening!
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Today’s "MiniPod" reviewed the physiological changes that occur in pregnancy with a focus on the cardiorespiratory systems. I initially give a brief overview of the factors that cause these changes (00:40) followed by first looking at the cardiovascular system changes (02:40) and then the respiratory system (09:42). With these topics it's key to have a structure, describing pregnancy by trimesters and having broad subheadings allow you to get breadth of knowledge across. I utilise this approach as we look at the past SAQs (15:18) and then the past opening viva stems (23:45). I hope you enjoy the Podcast and next time we complete our maternal minipod section by talking about the foetal circulation and comparing and contrasting the neonatal and adult respiratory system. If you have any questions please email me! As always thank you for listening!
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Today I'm back with another practice Viva. Thanks to Abe for doing this!! I hope you get some technical and non-technical skills from the video. The two topics were: General Anaesthesia/Sleep and Blood glucose/Insulin. Topic 1 starts (01:55) with 1 minute thinking time and Topic 2 starts (07:50). We then go through some feedback. Thanks for watching! As always if you have any feedback let me know at [email protected]
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Today I'm back with another practice Viva. Thanks to Ben for doing this!! I hope you get some technical and non-technical skills from the video. The two topics were: Oxygen supply to the Anaesthetic Machine and Oxytocin. Topic 1 starts (02:00) with 1 minute thinking time and Topic 2 starts (08:00). We then go through some feedback. Thanks for watching! As always if you have any feedback let me know at [email protected]
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My first ever reaction pod! The 2023.2 primary exam was unexpected in many ways and I think is the biggest hint so far that the primary exam is changing! I share my big takeaways and don’t worry because I have some tips on how you can succeed with future sittings. I quickly recap the 15 saqs (01:26) and the discuss my first takeaway (05:21) which is that saqs are now more about understanding and clinical application rather than facts. I give my tips on what this means on how you should approach study and then discuss my second takeaway (18:01). Then I have two more takeaways (24:18) and (28:12) which you will have to listen to find out! I hope you enjoy this pod and remember this is my opioin, it doesn’t represent the view of ANZCA or anyone else!
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Today’s "MiniPod" discussion went a bit longer than expected and I covered the Neuromuscular Junction and Suxamethonium. I broke the NMJ physiology into three sections, firstly looking at acetylcholine itself, then the pathway of the action potential across the NMJ and lastly the types of ACH receptors (01:19). Then for the first time on this pod we discuss the pharmacology of a drug, looking at the pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of Sux (14:59). After covering these core topics, I look at the past SAQs with a big focus on the adverse effects of Sux (23:03). As always, we finish by reviewing some opening viva stems with today’s focus being broad opening answers (31:30). I hope you enjoy the Podcast and if you have any questions please email me! As always thank you for listening!
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I'm back today with another "MiniPod" where we discuss the principles of Pulse Oximetry and sources of error. This is a core clinical measurement topic and an examiner favourite with a low SAQ pass rate. I first start off with the basic principles of how the device works (00:40) and then talk about the common sources of error (08:19). Then I look at the past SAQ's, lucky there is only two options on what can be asked (12:52). Finally, we look at the past viva opening stems and discuss some weird questions that can be asked (16:49). I hope you enjoy the Podcast and if you have any questions please email me! As always thank you for listening!
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Today is the first "MiniPod" where we discuss the ionic basis of automaticity the normal and abnormal processes of cardiac excitation. In other words the Slow response Action Potential vs Fast response Action Potential. I have divided these episodes into three sections: facts and knowledge, past SAQs and reviewing viva opening stems. I start with a basic review of pacemaker cells in the heart (01:48), then compare the fast vs slow AP (06:56). We look at a model answer for past SAQs (15:42) and then look at the viva stems with links to other concepts (23:09). I hope you enjoy this new structure for the Podcast and if you have any questions please email me! As always thank you for listening!
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We are back with the official launch of Season 2!! This is an amazing episode where I am joined by 3 candidates that have just passed the Primary Exam in 2023.1. Nathan, San-Rene and Elliot are so open and honest about the real struggles of sitting the Primary Exam and share their journey from the contemplative phase and study planning to the written exam and then finally the viva's. We explore some real challenges such as how to study for the exam while maintaining a normal family life and what it's like to bounce back and re-sit the exam. Confidence is a big theme in today’s episode for success. At the end of the day this is just an exam, it’s not bigger than life and that perspective should not be forgotten. I will be back in two weeks with our first ‘mini-pod’ covering 'Cardiac Action Potentials'. Thanks for listening! As always if you have any feedback let me know!
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Another Practice VIVA we recorded during the 2022.2 sitting. Sound quality isn't the best because I was new to recording back then. Thanks to Peter for doing this practice viva!! I hope you get some technical and non-technical skills from the video. The two topics were: Propofol bolus and Heparins. Topic 1 starts (00:59) with 1 minute thinking time and Topic 2 starts (07:00). We then go through some feedback. Thanks for watching! As always if you have any feedback let me know at [email protected]
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We recorded this viva during the 2022.2 sitting. It has been uploaded on the website and Youtube and I am re-sharing it as it gets close to the 2023 viva. Sound quality isn't the best because I was new to recording back then. Thanks to Justin for doing this practice viva!! I hope you get some technical and non-technical skills from the video. The two topics were: Anaphylaxis and Pulse Oximeter. Topic 1 starts (01:49) with 1 minute thinking time and Topic 2 starts (07:54). We then go through some feedback. Thanks for watching! As always if you have any feedback let me know at [email protected]
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Today we come to the end of the Respiratory Physiology Topic and finish with ‘Respiratory Measurement.’ This is a nice way to finish a huge section of the curriculum and there are only two LO’s to cover. First I look at respiratory acidosis (02:56) and then I look at various methods to measure to respiratory function (i.e Flow-Volume Loops) (09:29). As always, we finish by going over the past SAQ’s from the ANZCA and CICM exam (20:41). Now this episode marks the end of our normal format for a short period as I study for the Part 2 exam, we will change and only cover one LO at a time going forward so please send in your request to [email protected] Thanks for listening! As always if you have any feedback let me know!
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