Review of the 2025 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting in Cairns
TopMedTalk
In this piece, we recap the last five days at the ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting. We visit highlights from the plenary speaker presentations by Chris Connor, Alana Flexman, Ramani Moonesinghe, Kevin Fong and Eugenie Kayak. We talk about the original research presented at the meeting including the breaking trials session. Then we review the great discussions we had with journal editors at the meeting. Finally we reflect on the great social events at the meeting, that foster fellowship and collegiality among anaesthetists. Go to our app or website to hear great podcasts recorded during the...
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Breaking trial results
TopMedTalk
In this piece we discuss breaking trial results with Chris Bain, a consultant anaesthetist and researcher, and Luke Perry, a trainee anaesthetist and PhD student*, both from Melbourne, Australia. We explore the effects of tissue trauma on inflammation and immune responses, and new results about the modifying effect of genetic expression with glucocorticoids. Then we delve into a pilot study on pulmonary artery catheters and cardiac surgery: one of the big questions in our specialty. The pilot study showed that a large randomised trial is feasible and has equipoise. Presented by Andy Cumpstey...
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Journals in focus, The BJA and Anesthesiology
TopMedTalk
In this piece we discuss the latest news in medical publishing with Hugh Hemmings, editor-in-chief of the British Journal of Anaesthesia and Laszlo Vutskits, editor of Anesthesiology. We discuss the increasing volume of manuscripts being received by journals; the challenges of peer review, and initiatives to find and support new reviewers. Then we delve into the use of AI by authors and journals, and how this might influence publishing in the future. Presented by Andy Cumpstey and Kate Leslie on location at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of...
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Unconscious bias, bullying, harassment, and discrimination
TopMedTalk
In this piece we discuss perioperative medicine with Alana Flexman, an anaesthetist and researcher from Vancouver, Canada, and Maryanne Balkin, an anaesthetist and law graduate from Melbourne, Australia. We explore our guests’ career journeys, and gender and equity issues, including unconscious bias and bullying, harassment, and discrimination, in the workplace. Finally we talk about the craziness and joy of continued learning and enquiry. Presented by Andy Cumpstey and Kate Leslie on location at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and...
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TopMedTalks to … Kevin Fong
TopMedTalk
In this piece we discuss risk in medicine with Kevin Fong, a consultant anaesthetist, retrieval medicine specialist, and broadcaster. In a wide-ranging conversation we talk about risk in anaesthesia, the effect of adverse events on individual practitioners and teams, and workforce issues in health. Presented by Andy Cumpstey and Kate Leslie on location at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Faculty of Pain Medicine in Cairns, Australia, with Professor Kevin Fong, Consultant Anaesthetist and Anaesthetic Lead for Major Incident...
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Understanding the processed EEG in anaesthesia
TopMedTalk
In this piece we discuss all things EEG with Chris Connor, an anesthesiologist and researcher from Boston, USA, and Jamie Sleigh, an anesthesiologist and researcher from Hamilton, New Zealand. We start by discussing the engineering behind the BIS algorithm, then move to interpreting the raw EEG, the spectrogram and burst suppression. Finally we discuss the ‘titration paradox’ and how it might influence research and AI. Presented by Andy Cumpstey and Kate Leslie on location at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Faculty of Pain...
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Haemorrhage associated with trauma and major surgery
TopMedTalk
In this piece we discuss blood management in emergency and elective surgery with Matthew Wiles, an anaesthetist from Sheffield, UK, and editor of the journal Anaesthesia, and Catherine Downs, an anaesthetist from Sydney, Australia. The episode delves into haemorrhage associated with trauma and major surgery, and the benefits of point of care testing. We also took the opportunity to discuss authorship of scholarly work and the need to support emerging researchers and site collaborators. Presented by Andy Cumpstey and Kate Leslie on location at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and...
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Improving sustainability and reducing operating room waste
TopMedTalk
In this piece we discuss sustainability in healthcare with Eugenie Kayak, an anaesthetist from Melbourne, Australia, and Dan Lazzari, an anaesthetist from Cairns, Australia. The episode delves into Eugenie’s journey with Doctors for the Environment Australia and her work as an educator in sustainability. We discuss national and international solutions, and local initiatives by Dan and his colleagues to improve sustainability and reduce operating room waste in Cairns. Presented by Andy Cumpstey and Kate Leslie on location at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand...
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Perioperative medicine, the challenges, the rewards and the future
TopMedTalk
In this piece we discuss perioperative medicine with Ramani Moonesinghe, an anaesthetist and intensive care specialist from London, England, and Phuong Markman, an anaesthetist from Cairns, Australia. We explore access to and outcomes from surgery, particularly in relation to remoteness and socioeconomic deprivation. Then we talk about specific interventions to improve the patient experience, such as Sip til Send, and the challenges of implementing the program and demonstrating that it’s safe with respect to aspiration. Finally we discuss whether AI and robotics can assist patients in the...
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Management of neuropathic and paediatric pain
TopMedTalk
In this piece we discuss pain medicine with Nadine Attal, a neurologist and pain medicine specialist from France, and Allen Finley, an anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist from Canada. The episode delves into neuropathic pain and the need to personalize its management, and efforts to standardize the management of paediatric pain in Canada. We talk about the ICD-11 which recognizes chronic pain as a disease, and ChildKind.org which nurtures holistic and responsive support for children or all ages and abilities. Presented by Andy Cumpstey and Kate Leslie on location at the Annual...
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