Episodes

  • Creativity and clinical practice

    Creativity and clinical practice
    May 30 2025
    In this episode of Anaesthesia on Air, past president of the RCoA Dr Fiona Donald talks to Dr James Nickells about his career in anaesthesia and critical care, and his rich hinterland in medical illustration, portrait art, and more, and how James has combined his clinical and outside interests over his career.

    Related information:

    • www.globalportraitproject.com
    • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg7pz7xq87o
    • http://www.instagram.com/globalportraitproject
    • The Global Portrait Project - YouTube
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    44 mins
  • The benefits of cold water swimming - re-published

    The benefits of cold water swimming - re-published
    Apr 30 2025
    In this episode of Anaesthesia on Air, we are re-publishing an archived episode by Dr Toni Brunning and Dr Lucinda Williams as they discuss clinician wellbeing with a focus on open-water and cold-water swimming, including the physical and emotional benefits. The podcast explores how cold-water swimming can enhance circulation, boost the immune system, and increase endorphin production, leading to improved physical health. It delves into the mental health advantages, such as reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, and a sense of accomplishment associated with regular cold-water swimming. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-care among healthcare professionals and how engaging in activities like cold water swimming can contribute to overall well-being.

    Related information:

    • CHILL – not for profit organisation who run cold water sessions across the country
    • Outdoor Swimming Society – organisation supporting safe outdoor swimming
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    17 mins
  • Diagnosing death

    Diagnosing death
    Apr 16 2025
    In this special podcast episode, produced jointly with the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, Dr Danny Bryden, Dr Dale Gardiner and Dr Ian Thomas discuss when and how to diagnose death for the purposes of organ donation, and the implications of recent changes to guidance issued by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges for anaesthetists and intensivists.

    Related information:

    • 2025 Code of Practice for the diagnosis and confirmation of death
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    37 mins
  • Shared decision making - a joint CPOC/RCoA podcast, part 2

    Shared decision making - a joint CPOC/RCoA podcast, part 2
    Mar 13 2025
    In the second of a two-part podcast from the Centre for Perioperative Care and the Royal College of Anaesthetists former CPOC Fellow Dr Sam Moore and Dr Stuart Connal explore shared decision making - its definitions, usage, and many nuances in the interaction between clinicians and patients.

    This podcast features guests Dr Sam Finnikin, Dr Gemma Hughes, and Leila Finikarides, and is split into two separate episodes. Sam, Gemma, and Leila share their personal and professional perspectives on shared decision-making - its importance in the patient-clinician relationship, language, and even when the idea of a shared decision may be counterproductive.

    For ideas to benefit your own clinical practice, and for insights into the latest research and practices in this area, make sure you listen to both parts of this fascinating conversation.
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    30 mins
  • Shared decision making - a joint CPOC/RCoA podcast, part 1

    Shared decision making - a joint CPOC/RCoA podcast, part 1
    Mar 6 2025
    In this first of a two-part podcast from the Centre for Perioperative Care and the Royal College of Anaesthetists former CPOC Fellow Dr Sam Moore and Dr Stuart Connal explore shared decision making - its definitions, usage, and many nuances in the interaction between clinicians and patients.

    This podcast features guests Dr Sam Finnikin, Dr Gemma Hughes, and Leila Finikarides, and is split into two separate episodes. Sam, Gemma, and Leila share their personal and professional perspectives on shared decision-making - its importance in the patient-clinician relationship, language, and even when the idea of a shared decision may be counterproductive.

    For ideas to benefit your own clinical practice, and for insights into the latest research and practices in this area, make sure you listen to both parts of this fascinating conversation. Listen out for the second episode which will be released the following week.

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    31 mins
  • Obesity metabolic syndrome - woolly mammoths and diabetes

    Obesity metabolic syndrome - woolly mammoths and diabetes
    Feb 21 2025
    Following his presentation at our 2024 Winter Symposium, Professor Ketan Dhatariya discusses Obesity Metabolic Syndrome and diabetes in an engaging and wide-ranging conversation.

    In this podcast Ketan reflects on the possible false economy of limiting access to GLP-1 agonists, the need for a non-judgmental view of patients presenting with obesity, how an evolutionary viewpoint can usefully inform modern medicine, and just how tasty the woolly mammoths of Red Lion Square were.

    Related information:

    • Perioperative Care of People with Diabetes Undergoing Surgery (The Centre for Perioperative Care)
    • Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity, The Lancet
    • Anaesthesia for the obese patient, BJA Education
    • For more on this topic, listen to Ketan's academic collaborator Kariem El-Boghdadly discussing GLP-1 agonists in our recent podcast interview with him.
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    37 mins
  • Parenting and the impact on training

    Parenting and the impact on training
    Jan 8 2025
    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)
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    41 mins
  • NovPod - Season 2, Episode 13: The Support Project: Communication during Neonatal Resuscitation

    NovPod - Season 2, Episode 13: The Support Project: Communication during Neonatal Resuscitation
    Dec 16 2024
    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

    • European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2015: Section 7. Resuscitation and support of transition of babies at birth
    • Understanding psychological traumatic birth experiences: A literature review
    • The SuPPORT Project (Website) - Supporting Parents and Professionals through neOnatal Resuscitation in Theatre
    • SuPPORT Project abstract - International journal of obstetric anaesthesia
    • Quick Reference Handbook for Obstetric Emergencies - Page 9 - Debrief
    • RCOA Wellbeing Hub
    • BMA Wellbeing Support
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    1 hr and 9 mins