Anaesthesia on Air

In this podcast, Dr Gemma Phillips and Dr Yogita Chikermane discuss the impact of parenting on anaesthetic training.

They share their own experiences, talk about how things might have changed since then (or not), and what still needs to change to help anaesthetists navigate the often competing demands of anaesthetic training and parenting.

Related information:

Returning to work in anaesthesia course (RCoA)

Returning to work after a period of absence (RCoA/FPM)

A guide to parenting during anaesthesia training (Association of Anaesthetists) 

Future Proof: the impact of parental and caring responsibilities on surgical careers (Nuffield Trust)

Guide to Anaesthetics Training - The management of maternity, paternity, shared parental or parental leave and sickness absences (RCoA)

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of neonatal resuscitation, which some listeners may find sensitive or distressing.

In Episode 13 and the season 2 finale, Eoin and Duncan welcome Dr. Esther Godfrey, co-founder of the SuPPORT project, to share her personal experience of neonatal resuscitation with her own daughter Juno, along with the project's origins. 

Together, they explore the role of effective communication with patients during neonatal resuscitation and how to compassionately provide support in such critical moments.

References 

The SuPPORT Project (Website) - Supporting Parents and Professionals through neOnatal Resuscitation in Theatre 

Quick Reference Handbook for Obstetric Emergencies - Page 9 - Debrief

In this Episode of the Heritage Series, Dr Maria Rollin talks to Dr Debbie Nolan and Kevin Storey about the move from Russell Square to Churchill House and what that meant to the specialty

Eoin and Duncan are joined by former RCoA Vice President Dr Helgi Johannsson. Together they cover many topics in the realm of obstetric anaesthetics including the importance of communication, what makes a good obs anaesthetist and some tips and tricks for epidurals! Why should you involve the partner? How can you bring order to chaotic situations? What is on Helgi's obs playlist? Listen to find out! 

References 

The Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association (OAA) events  

Eoin and Rosie are joined by Susanna Stanford, a patient advocate, to talk through how to the importance of the prevention and management of pain during C-section. We discuss how to avoid pitfalls when testing neuraxial anaesthesia and how to manage problems under regional anaesthesia, then go on to talk about the criticality of patient communication and human factors when facing problems with neuraxial blockade.

References
-        Prevention and management of intra-operative pain during caesarean section under neuraxial anaesthesia: a technical and interpersonal approach
-        What is ‘genuine’ failure of neuraxial anaesthesia?
-        You test because you cannot make assumptions

Episode 10 the Postpartum Visit! Eoin & Rosie dive into how to approach, structure the postpartum visit and why we as a speciality should do it! We will cover everything from postpartum headache to what red flags to look for with nerve injury. 

Our good friend and anaesthetic registrar colleague Rahul returns to defend his undisputed title as 'NovPod champion'. This time Eoin and Rahul go head to head with their knowledge of anaesthetic drugs used on the labour ward, competing for the glory of winning the golden Tuohy needle. 

References 

Anaesthesia (e-LA) -> Core Training - Basic Sciences -> e-LA Module 07c - Pharmacology

Guideline on anaesthesia and sedation in breastfeeding women 

We are joined by the fantastic Dr Damien Hughes - an anaesthetic consultant and OAA council member - to discuss how we manage pain on the labour ward. We discuss the physiology of pain in labour and the management options we are able to deliver as anaesthetists, as well as how we can positively impact maternal health outcomes and our patients' birth experience. 

Anaesthesia (e-LA) -> Core Training - Clinical -> e-LA Module 04a - Obstetrics -> 04 Regional analgesia & anaesthesia

Anaesthesia (e-LA) -> Core Training - Clinical -> e-LA Module 04a - Obstetrics -> 03 Labour analgesia

In Episode 7, Eoin and Rosie sit down with our fantastic guest Dr Kirsty Maclennan - an anaesthetic consultant and OAA board member - to talk through the anaesthetic emergencies that we encounter on the labour ward. With expert advice from the lead editor of the recently released obstetric anaesthetic quick reference handbook - this is not an episode to miss!

References - 
-        OAA obstetric quick reference handbook
-        Anaesthesia (e-LA) -> Core Training - Clinical -> e-LA Module 04a - Obstetrics -> 07 Serious problems in obstetric anaesthesia
-        WOMAN trial
-        TEG interpretation - Life in the fast lane
-        Load n Bread for feedback
-        DAS and OAA Airway Guidance

For Episode 6 - a 2 part special! - we are joined by our friend and obstetric registrar colleague, Miss Chiara Petrosellini, to talk through common obstetric emergencies and how Anaesthetists are involved in their management. Chiara gives us some great advice about working in high pressure situations and dealing with emergencies as part of the wider obstetric team.

References
OAA obstetric quick reference handbook