Episodes

  • Artificial Intelligence for the Clinician Ep. 3: Natural Language Processing and Large Language Models

    Artificial Intelligence for the Clinician Ep. 3: Natural Language Processing and Large Language Models
    Jun 2 2025
    Welcome back to our series on AI for the clinician! Large language models, like ChatGPT, have been taking the world by storm, and healthcare is no exception to that rule – your institution may already be using them! In this episode we’ll tackle the fundamentals of how they work and their applications and limitations to keep you up to date on this fast-moving, exciting technology.

    Hosts:
    Ayman Ali, MD
    Ayman Ali is a Behind the Knife fellow and general surgery PGY-3 at Duke Hospital in his academic development time where he focuses on data science, artificial intelligence, and surgery.

    Ruchi Thanawala, MD: @Ruchi_TJ
    Ruchi Thanawala is an Assistant Professor of Informatics and Thoracic Surgery at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and founder of Firefly, an AI-driven platform that is built for competency-based medical education. In addition, she directs the Surgical Data and Decision Sciences Lab for the Department of Surgery at OHSU.

    Phillip Jenkins, MD: @PhilJenkinsMD
    Phil Jenkins is a general surgery PGY-3 at Oregon Health and Science University and a National Library of Medicine Post-Doctoral fellow pursuing a master’s in clinical informatics.

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    45 mins
  • 10 Consult Commandments to Dominate the Day

    10 Consult Commandments to Dominate the Day
    May 29 2025
    Mastering the surgical consult is a true milestone in every young surgeon’s career. But it’s not easy! It is a difficult transition from lowly data gatherer to mighty data synthesizer. It is, in many ways, an art form. Is there anything more beautiful than breaking down a complex, convoluted patient presentation into an immaculate assessment and plan? Something so bullet proof that the attending surgeon has been left speechless. Perhaps not! Join Drs. Joey Lew and Patrick Georgoff as they review 10 CONSULT COMMANDMENTS TO DOMINATE THE DAY:
    1. Have a System
    2. Trust No One, Expect Sabotage
    3. Always Ask at Least One Why
    4. Always Look at the Imaging Yourself
    5. Don’t Worry Alone
    6. Don’t Bury the Lead
    7. Never Lie
    8. Include a Real Assessment and Plan in Your Note
    9. Goals of care are important and individual
    10. Over-communicate
    Hosts:
    • Dr. Joey Lew, MD, MFA, PGY2, Duke University (@LewActually)
    • Dr. Patrick Georgoff, MD, Duke University (@georgoff)
    Insensible Losses – Poems by Joey Lew: https://www.amazon.com/Insensible-Losses-Joey-Lew/dp/B0D773LSHL

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    15 mins
  • The Silent Partner: Ambient listening AI in Outpatient Clinics, Inpatient Wards, and the Operating Room

    The Silent Partner: Ambient listening AI in Outpatient Clinics, Inpatient Wards, and the Operating Room
    May 26 2025
    In this episode, we dive into the rapidly evolving world of ambient listening AI in healthcare. From outpatient clinics to inpatient wards and operating rooms, this technology is reshaping how care is delivered, documented, and experienced.

    We explore how ambient listening AI is improving clinic flow by streamlining documentation and reducing interruptions, allowing clinicians to stay more present with their patients. The technology is increasingly adaptive to individual provider styles, learning preferences and workflows to deliver more personalized support. Plus, we share practical tips for new users to get the most out of their ambient listening AI systems from day one.

    Join us as we hear from experts on the front lines and debate the future of ambient listening AI in medicine—where the walls really do have ears, but for all the right reasons.

    Host:
    - Nicole Petcka, MD – General Surgery Resident, Emory University, @npetcka2022

    Guests:
    - Samuel R. Torres Landa Fernández, MD – Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellow, Emory University
    - Anastasios Nikolaos (Nick​) Panagopoulos, MD – Internal Medicine Resident, Emory University
    - Joe Sharma, MD - McGarity Chair in Endocrine Surgery and Professor of Surgery, Vice-chair for Patient Safety, Quality and Innovation, Emory University
    Resources:

    Enhancing Accuracy of Operative Reports with Automated Artificial Intelligence Analysis of Surgical Video

    Khanna A, Wolf T, Frank I, Krueger A, Shah P, Sharma V, Gettman MT, Boorjian SA, Asselmann D, Tollefson MK. Enhancing Accuracy of Operative Reports with Automated Artificial Intelligence Analysis of Surgical Video. J Am Coll Surg. 2025 May 1;240(5):739-746. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001352. Epub 2025 Apr 16. PMID: 39918224.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39918224/

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    32 mins
  • Journal Review and Clinical Challenges in Surgical Palliative Care: Assessing Decision-Making Capacity

    Journal Review and Clinical Challenges in Surgical Palliative Care: Assessing Decision-Making Capacity
    May 22 2025
    Join the University of Washington Surgical Palliative Care Team for their final episode of this series — a dual journal review and clinical challenges discussion on assessing medical decision-making capacity. Using Dr. Paul Applebaum’s foundational framework, the team outlines the four key criteria for evaluating capacity and brings the topic to life through two contrasting standardized patient scenarios. This episode highlights why capacity assessment is not only relevant but essential for surgeons navigating complex, high-stakes decisions.

    Hosts:
    Dr. Katie O’Connell (@katmo15) is an associate professor of surgery at the University of Washington. She is a trauma surgeon, palliative care physician, director of surgical palliative care, and founder of the Advance Care Planning for Surgery clinic at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA.

    Dr. Ali Haruta is an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Washington. She is a trauma and emergency general surgeon and palliative care physician. Ali recently completed fellowships in palliative care at the University of Washington and Trauma and Critical Care at Parkland.

    Dr. Lindsay Dickerson (@lindsdickerson1) is a PGY6 general surgery resident at the University of Washington with an interest in surgical oncology.

    Dr. Virginia Wang is a PGY3 general surgery resident at the University of Washington.

    Learning Objectives:
    1. Decipher the distinction between the terms “capacity” and “competence”.

    2. Describe the four criteria for assessing medical decision-making capacity presented in Dr. Paul Applebaum’s article “Assessment of Patients’ Competence to Consent to Treatment.”

    3. Apply the capacity assessment framework to real-world clinical scenarios in surgical practice.

    References:
    1. Applebaum, PS. Assessment of Patients’ Competence to Consent to Treatment. New England Journal of Medicine 2007; 357(18):1834-1840. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17978292/

    2. Special thank you to Mr. Mark Fox for his acting contribution to this episode.

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    26 mins
  • Journal Review in Hernia Surgery: Quality Improvement in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

    Journal Review in Hernia Surgery: Quality Improvement in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
    May 19 2025
    In their last Behind the Knife episode, the Hernia Content Team from Carolinas Medical Center discusses quality improvement in abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). The complexity of AWR patients makes this discipline a perfect match for quality improvement efforts. The group review two papers published by their group: one that tracks patient outcomes over time and then another that reviews a specific quality improvement initiative (penicillin allergy protocol).

    Hosts:
    · Dr. Sullivan “Sully” Ayuso, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Endeavor Health (Evanston, IL), @SAyusoMD (Twitter)
    · Dr. Monica Polcz, Assistant Professor, University of South Florida (Tampa, FL)
    · Dr. Vedra Augenstein, Professor of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte, NC), @VedraAugenstein (Twitter)
    · Dr. Todd Heniford, Chief of GI & MIS, Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte, NC), @THeniford (Twitter)

    Learning Objectives:
    - Define Quality Improvement and its Importance in Surgical Practice
    - Identify Key Strategies and Examples of Quality Improvement Initiatives in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
    - Explain the Process of Implementing and Evaluating a Quality Improvement Project
    - Recognize the Value of Multidisciplinary Collaboration in Quality Improvement

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    25 mins
  • Journal Review in Artificial Intelligence: Applications of AI in Surgery

    Journal Review in Artificial Intelligence: Applications of AI in Surgery
    May 15 2025
    Welcome to our new series – the AI Journal Club! In this series, we’ll cover some interesting studies and evidence-based applications of artificial intelligence in surgery in a case-based format. Surely AI can find a DVT by now … or can it? Stay tuned and find out!
    Hosts:
    - Ayman Ali, MD
    Ayman Ali is a Behind the Knife fellow and general surgery PGY-3 at Duke Hospital in his academic development time where he focuses on data science, artificial intelligence, and surgery.
    - Ruchi Thanawala, MD: @Ruchi_TJ
    Ruchi Thanawala is an Assistant Professor of Informatics and Thoracic Surgery at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and founder of Firefly, an AI-driven platform that is built for competency-based medical education. In addition, she directs the Surgical Data and Decision Sciences Lab for the Department of Surgery at OHSU.
    - Marisa Sewell, MD: @MarisaSewell
    Marisa Sewell is a general surgery PGY-4 at Oregon Health and Science University.

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    13 mins
  • Clinical Challenges in Emergency General Surgery: The Abdominal Wall – Friend or Foe?

    Clinical Challenges in Emergency General Surgery: The Abdominal Wall – Friend or Foe?
    May 12 2025
    It is the final episode of our Challenging Cases in Emergency General Surgery series and we’re diving into another dreaded topic: the complex abdominal wall. This structure is a daily partner to the general surgeon—but when things go wrong, it can quickly become our biggest challenge. In this episode, we’ll walk through the emergency presentation of a patient with multiple prior hernia repairs and mesh placements, and how these complicate diagnosis and management. From imaging pearls to OR decision-making and post-op dilemmas, this episode covers it all. We round things off with a fun game (as always!) and some hot takes on abdominal wall strategies in emergency general surgery. Whether you’re an EGS surgeon, trainee, or surgical enthusiast, this episode is packed with practical insights, decision-making frameworks, and real-world nuance.

    Hosts:
    - Dr. Ashlie Nadler
    - Dr. Jordan Nantais
    - Dr. Graham Skelhorne-Gross

    Learning Objectives:
    - Identify key factors to assess in patients presenting with complex abdominal wall problems, including detailed surgical history, hernia characteristics, and signs of complications.
    - Discuss the role of imaging, particularly CT scans, in evaluating patients with ventral hernias and bowel obstruction, with a focus on identifying transition points and signs of strangulation.
    - Outline the surgical approach to incarcerated incisional ventral hernias, including pre-operative considerations, operative techniques, and management of threatened bowel.
    - Recognize the importance of patient-specific factors and interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of complex abdominal wall cases, including the role of pre-habilitation and hernia specialists.

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    34 mins
  • Let's Talk Diverticulitis

    Let's Talk Diverticulitis
    May 8 2025
    We got the gang together (minus John, who is on mission). Today, we are talking about diverticulitis with super expert Scott Steele. Scott walks Jason, Patrick, and Kevin through the nuances of modern-day management of diverticulitis. We cover laparoscopic lavage, review decision making for surgical resection after drainage, and discuss the evolving role of antibiotics in uncomplicated cases. Surgical techniques, including resection boundaries and the consideration of diverting ostomies in emergent situations, are also reviewed. DOMINATE THE COLON!

    Hosts
    Scott Steele, MD: @ScottRSteeleMD
    Scott is the Rupert B. Turnbull MD Endowed Chair in Colorectal Surgery and Chairman of Colorectal Surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he was an active duty Army officer for over 20 years, serving as the Chief of Colorectal Surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center. He also received his MBA from Case Western University Weatherhead School of Business and Management.

    Patrick Georgoff, MD: @georgoff
    Patrick Georgoff is an Acute Care Surgeon at Duke University. He went to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, completed General Surgery residency and Surgical Critical Care fellowship at the University of Michigan, and a Trauma Surgery fellowship at the University of Texas in Houston. His clinical practice includes the full spectrum of Acute Care Surgery in addition to elective hernia surgery. Patrick is the Associate Program of the General Surgery Residency and associate Trauma Medical Director at Duke.

    Kevin Kniery, MD: @Kniery_Bird
    Kevin is a vascular surgeon at Brooke Army Medical Center. He completed his undergraduate degree at the United States Military Academy in West Point, medical school at Tulane University, general surgery residency at Madigan Army Medical Center, and vascular fellowship at Cornell and Columbia.

    Jason Bingham, MD: @BinghamMd
    Jason is a general and bariatric surgeon at Madigan Army Medical Center. He also serves as the Director of Research and Associate Program Director for the general surgery residency program. He received his undergraduate degree from New York University and medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He is a medical officer in the US Army with several combat deployments under his belt. Jason’s research efforts focus on the management of hemorrhagic shock, trauma induced coagulopathy, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    55 mins