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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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]

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]

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!

Today we have a special podcast with ‘Written Exam Tips.’ I have broken up my experience of sitting the primary exam into 4 sections heading into the last 2 weeks before the written exam. Firstly, I explain how to plan and set a study schedule for the last two weeks (01:35). Then I explain what I did the night before the exam and how to get yourself ready for the big day (10:16). Then we look at what to expect on the day of the exam itself and all the little details so you don’t get stressed out (13:07). Finally, I explain what it’s like after the exam and how to get some kind of normal back in your life (18:48). What I share today is just my experience, please understand that it won’t be suited for every individual, but I hope to give you an insight into these last 2 weeks. Thanks for listening and good luck to all the candidates! As always if you have any feedback let me know!

Today we look at ‘Applied Respiratory Physiology!’ This is another big topic and it’s the culmination of all our other episodes. We start by discussing the fundamental basis for preoxygenation which is a must know LO (01:09). Then we assess how anaesthesia and different patient positions effect the respiratory system (07:18). I then go over what the effects of IPPV are and how PEEP is used to mitigate this (12:14). The next LO covered breaks down the changes that occur with ageing, morbid obesity, exercise and altitude on the respiratory system (17:20). The last LO for today switches focuses and here I outline the causes of hypoxemia and hypoxia (25:54). Now there are a lot of key SAQ’s for this episode and that takes up a big chunk of this episode (31:19). This is the second last episode for respiratory physiology and we will finish with ‘Respiratory Measurement.’ Thanks for listening! As always if you have any feedback let me know!