This week, Aebhric talks with Mark Lopshire, who shares his extensive experience in humanitarian medical support, particularly in crisis zones. He discusses the challenges faced in providing medical care in conflict areas, the innovative solutions developed in austere environments, and the importance of training in wilderness medicine. Mark emphasises the need for flexibility and cultural understanding when working in diverse settings, and he highlights the role of organisations like the Wilderness Medical Society in advancing the field of wilderness medicine.

Takeaways

Mark Lopshire has a diverse background in the military and medical fields.

He is involved with an NGO that provides medical support in crisis situations.

The organisation deploys quickly to areas affected by disasters or conflict.

Medical care in austere environments requires improvisation and innovation.

Local economies are supported by purchasing supplies locally when possible.

Flexibility and patience are crucial for medical professionals in crisis zones.

Wilderness medicine training is essential for effective practice in remote areas.

Cultural understanding is vital when working with diverse populations.

The Wilderness Medical Society offers valuable resources for practitioners.

Mark encourages new practitioners to embrace challenges and learn from experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mark Lopshire and His Background

03:09 Wilderness Medical Society's Role in Crisis Response

05:50 Experiences in Ukraine and International Medical Support

08:59 Challenges of Providing Medical Care in Conflict Zones

11:40 Innovative Solutions in Austere Environments

14:09 Haiti: Lessons from a Major Earthquake Response

16:54 Getting Involved in Humanitarian Medical Efforts

19:50 The Wilderness Medical Society and Its Importance

22:48 Fellowship in Wilderness Medicine: Benefits and Opportunities

25:42 Future Aspirations and Advice for New Medical Professionals

32:36 Advice for newly qualified

This week, Aebhric O’Kelly talks with Dr. Andrew Blaikie and Dr Helena Feasey, from St Andrews University in Scotland. They discuss the ArcLight device, a revolutionary tool designed for eye and ear examinations in low-resource settings. They share insights into the device's features, its development journey, and its potential impact on global health. The discussion highlights the importance of training healthcare workers, the device's telemedicine capabilities, and ongoing research aimed at reducing preventable blindness and deafness in communities worldwide.

Takeaways

The ArcLight device is a portable eye and ear examination tool.

It uses solar power and is designed for low-resource settings.

The device has been in development for over a decade.

It allows healthcare workers to perform comprehensive examinations.

The device is robust and can withstand harsh conditions.

Telemedicine capabilities enhance its utility in remote areas.

Research shows it is clinically equivalent to traditional devices.

Training programs are essential for effective implementation.

Future research aims to reduce preventable blindness and deafness.

The ArcLight project collaborates with various NGOs globally.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to ArcLight and Its Creators

03:32 The ArcLight Device: Features and Benefits

08:49 Clinical Applications and Telemedicine Potential

14:06 Research and Development of ArcLight

18:58 Future Directions and Community Impact

This week, Aebhric O’Kelly talks with Tim Cranton, who shares his experiences as an offshore medic, detailing a challenging patient case involving dental pain and the complexities of providing care in a remote setting. He discusses the importance of proper patient management, the challenges of medication availability, and the need for improved training in offshore medical practice. Tim emphasises the significance of networking and continuous education for aspiring offshore medics, as well as the potential for developing specialised courses in dental care for medics working in remote environments.

Takeaways

Tim Cranton is an experienced offshore medic with a background in global health.

Managing patients in remote settings requires careful observation and assessment.

Antibiotic stewardship is crucial in offshore medical practice.

Pain management is a key aspect of treating dental emergencies.

Communication with topside medical services is essential for patient care.

Remote healthcare often involves waiting for transport due to weather conditions.

Continuous education and training are vital for offshore medics.

Networking is important for career advancement in offshore medicine.

There is a need for more specialised training in dental care for medics.

Tim advocates for the development of a dedicated offshore medics course.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Offshore Medicine

26:37 Challenges in Remote Healthcare

35:19 Future of Offshore Medic Training

This week, Aebhric O’Kelly talks with James Brogan, a UK paramedic and lecturer at Robert Gordon University, who discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in paramedicine, particularly in rural and remote areas of Scotland. He emphasises the importance of practice-based learning, the role of paramedics in public health, and the evolution of paramedic education towards a more academic and professionalised approach. Brogan also highlights the significance of decision-making skills in austere environments and offers advice for new paramedics entering the field.

Takeaways

James Brogan is a principal lecturer of paramedicine at Robert Gordon University.

The university focuses on rural and remote paramedicine education.

Practice-based learning is crucial for paramedic training.

Paramedics play a significant role in public health initiatives.

Austere medicine requires unique skills and decision-making abilities.

The evolution of paramedic education has led to a more academic approach.

Professionalisation of paramedics is essential for adapting to healthcare needs.

Future paramedics will need to be versatile in various environments.

Decision-making is more critical than just technical skills.

New paramedics should focus on evidence-based practice and holistic care.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Paramedicine in Scotland

02:22 The Unique Challenges of Rural and Remote Paramedicine

04:56 Practice-Based Learning and Its Importance

07:54 The Role of Paramedics in Public Health

10:13 Austere Medicine and Prolonged Field Care

13:05 The Evolution of Paramedic Education

15:32 The Professionalisation of Paramedicine

18:17 The Future of Paramedicine

20:55 Advice for New Paramedics

23:29 Conclusion and Reflections on Paramedicine

This week, we have another presentation from the Medicine in the Mediterranean conference from January 2025. Dr Matt Moront is a pediatric surgeon who provides an in-depth exploration of pediatric trauma care, emphasising the unique anatomical and physiological differences in children compared to adults. The speaker discusses common pediatric injuries, particularly in urban settings, and highlights the importance of airway management, weight estimation for medication dosing, and recognising signs of shock. Techniques for intubation and intravenous access in children are also covered, along with concerns regarding radiation exposure in pediatric imaging. The session concludes with key takeaways for healthcare providers working with pediatric patients.

Takeaways

Airway management is critical in pediatric patients.

Children are not just smaller adults; they have unique anatomical differences.

Most pediatric trauma cases involve motor vehicle accidents and falls.

Weight estimation is crucial for medication dosing in children.

Children can maintain blood pressure until a significant volume of blood is lost.

Intubation in children requires specific techniques and considerations.

Radiation exposure in children should be minimised due to their sensitivity.

Pediatric patients often present differently than adults in shock situations.

Using the right size equipment is essential for pediatric care.

Clinical indicators of shock in children are often visual rather than reliant on technology.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pediatric Trauma Care

02:40 Understanding Pediatric Injuries in Urban Settings

05:23 Anatomical and Physiological Differences in Children

08:34 Airway Management in Pediatric Patients

11:21 Weight Estimation and Medication Dosing for Children

14:12 Assessing Pediatric Vital Signs and Shock Indicators

16:54 Intubation Techniques and Considerations for Children

20:08 Practical Tips for Pediatric Emergency Care

25:55 Intubation Techniques for Pediatric Patients

29:00 Medications in Pediatric Intubation

33:57 IV Access in Children

40:00 Radiation Considerations in Pediatric Care

This week, Aebhric O’Kelly talks with CoROM student Dmitry Vosnyak, who shares his experiences as a remote paramedic student currently completing clinical placements in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. He discusses his background in emergency medicine, the challenges faced in chaotic environments, and the importance of practical training alongside theoretical knowledge. Dmitry reflects on a mass casualty incident he encountered, emphasising the need for effective pre-hospital care and communication. He also shares insights on how to prepare for such situations and his aspirations for further education in critical care.

Takeaways

Dmitry has extensive experience as a paramedic in various settings.

Studying alongside practical experience enhances learning.

The chaotic environment in emergency medicine requires adaptability.

Mass casualty incidents highlight the need for pre-hospital care.

Preparation and communication are crucial in emergencies.

Dmitry emphasises the importance of hands-on training.

He values the connections made with local medical teams.

Continuous learning is essential for paramedics.

Dmitry aims to improve his skills in critical care.

He encourages new paramedics to study and gain practical experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dmitry Vosnyak's Journey

04:50 The Importance of Practical Training

10:53 Clinical Placements and Skill Development

17:35 Mass Casualty Incident Experience

23:55 Reflections on Improvement and Preparation

30:37 Future Aspirations in Critical Care

43:03 Advice for new paramedics

This week, Dr. Slaven Bajic we have another presentation from our Medicine in the Mediterreanean conference from January 2025. In this lecture, Slaven discusses the importance of ultrasound in pre-hospital settings, its advantages, limitations, and a case study demonstrating its application in trauma care. The discussion emphasises the need for clinical judgment alongside ultrasound findings and the growing role of ultrasound in modern emergency medicine.

Takeaways

Focused ultrasound is revolutionising emergency medicine.

The FAST protocol is essential for trauma assessment.

Ultrasound can be more effective than traditional methods.

Rapid identification of unstable patients is critical.

FAST exams must be repeated to ensure accuracy.

Ultrasound is a non-invasive and portable technology suitable for field use.

Clinical judgment is crucial when interpreting FAST results.

Ultrasound can facilitate prompt decision-making in emergency situations.

Training and practice are vital for effective ultrasound use.

Ultrasound technology is becoming indispensable in emergency settings.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Focused Ultrasound in Emergency Medicine

02:27 Understanding the FAST Protocol

04:40 Advantages of FAST in Pre-Hospital Settings

07:28 Limitations and Challenges of FAST

09:49 Case Study: Application of FAST in Trauma

17:32 Conclusion and Future of Ultrasound in Emergency Medicine

This week, Aebhric O’Kelly talks with Bryony Palmer, who shares her unique journey as a nurse who transitioned to sailing and humanitarian work. She discusses her experiences in offshore medicine, the challenges of providing medical care at sea, and her efforts to improve training and safety within the sailing community. Bryony also recounts a harrowing incident involving her husband's dislocated shoulder during a storm, highlighting the importance of preparation and adaptability in emergency situations. Throughout the discussion, she emphasises the need for better training and resources for sailors, as well as the value of thinking outside the box in medical practice.

Takeaways

Bryony Palmer is a nurse specialising in offshore and wilderness medicine.

She aims to improve medical training in the sailing community.

Bryony coordinated a humanitarian response with 65 sailing vessels after a hurricane.

She emphasises the importance of preparation and training for sailors.

Dealing with medical emergencies at sea requires adaptability and quick thinking.

Bryony faced a challenging situation when her husband dislocated his shoulder at sea.

She highlights the need for better medical resources on sailing vessels.

Training for medical emergencies should include context-specific scenarios.

Bryony encourages future sailors to practice solo sailing before embarking on long journeys.

She believes in thinking outside the box to improve healthcare delivery.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bryony Palmer and Her Journey

02:48 Background in Nursing and Transition to Sailing

06:41 Coordinating Humanitarian Aid in Disaster Response

08:56 Training and Preparation for Sailing

13:42 Dealing with Medical Emergencies at Sea

36:59 Lessons Learned and Advice for Future Sailors