This podcast is designed to have engaging and inspirational conversations with some of the worlds leading experts in or relating to pre-hospital care. We hope y...
Physician-led Interprofessional Teams with Mike Christian
In this episode, we discuss the role of interprofessional teams within pre-hospital care and examine the latest research published on this topic. Over the past three decades, the role of physicians in pre-hospital care has grown significantly. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Mike Christian. Beginning his career as a paramedic, Mike is now a critical care physician, researcher, and educator in PHEM. He specialises in interprofessional team care for critically ill patients in Canada. He has held leadership positions in PHEM and hospital systems in the UK and in Canada.
Mike’s research demonstrates the transformative impact of inter-professional teams, which bring together physicians, paramedics, and other specialists to enhance care delivery and improve patient outcomes. This episode explores the evidence behind these teams, shedding light on their ability to reduce mortality and improve survival for critically ill and injured patients. We’ll discuss the benefits, challenges, and future potential of these teams, touching on the training, logistical, and systemic considerations that shape their implementation. The research can be found here:
Benefits of targeted deployment of physician-led interprofessional pre-hospital teams on the care of critically Ill and injured patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13049-024-01298-8
Interprofessional Learning in Multidisciplinary Healthcare Teams Is Associated With Reduced Patient Mortality: A Quantitative Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37921751/
A link to the Canadian Critical Care Conference presentation mentioned by Mike in the interview can be found here: https://youtu.be/MVDHaYaZRSI.
This podcast is sponsored by PAX.
Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range please click here:
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51:20
Managing Complex Legal Scenarios. Medico legal aspects of PHC Part 2 - with Mark Faulkner
In this episode, we dive into the intricate legal landscape that pre-hospital care providers must navigate daily. From understanding fundamental duty of care to managing mandatory reporting requirements, we explore how every decision in the field carries legal weight.
Our discussion covers essential scenarios pre-hospital teams frequently encounter, including suspected abuse cases, mass casualty incidents, and maintaining patient confidentiality at crime scenes. We break down practical strategies for balancing legal obligations with optimal patient care, offering actionable insights for providers at all levels.
Key topics include protecting yourself from negligence claims, understanding when and how to report suspected abuse, and maintaining professional boundaries while collaborating with law enforcement. Whether you're a seasoned paramedic or new to pre-hospital care, this episode provides crucial knowledge for managing legal risks while delivering excellence in patient care. The link mentioned in the episode to the NARU document can be found here:
https://naru.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/03212218/DutyofCareBreifingNoteApril21.pdf
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47:57
Is NATO ready for war? With Tim Hodgetts
In this episode, we delve into NATO’s medical readiness for large-scale conflicts, addressing pressing questions about preparedness and challenges in the face of hybrid and cyber threats. Also, how NATO adapts its strategies to meet these complex needs of contemporary warfare.
We’ll address lessons from recent conflicts—Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Iraq—and how these experiences have shaped NATO’s unified approach to combat medicine. From mass casualty management to the integration of cutting-edge innovations like telemedicine, robotics, and AI, we discuss the systems and technologies that underpin NATO's ability to respond effectively. The importance of collaboration and interoperability takes centre stage as we explore how NATO trains medics and aligns medical equipment across diverse member nations. Additionally, we examine how NATO balances military medical readiness with supporting civilian populations in conflict zones, leveraging partnerships with civilian healthcare systems to enhance preparedness.
Finally, we tackle ethical and humanitarian considerations, shedding light on psychological resilience, the mental health of medical teams, and the challenges of providing care to both allies and adversaries.
To do this I have Tim Hodgetts with me. Tim was the recently serving Surgeon General of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, the Master General of the Army Medical Services, and the elected Chair of the Committee of Chiefs of Military Medical Services in NATO. His clinical background is a Professor of Emergency Medicine amongst many other hats.
Links that Tim mentions in the episode can be found here:
Transferable military medical lessons from the Russo-Ukraine war
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37402486/
The novel 8Ds approach to demand management in Mass Casualty and other situations of extreme demand/capacity mismatch
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374617576_A_simple_research_framework_will_improve_Mass_Casualty_responses
Frontlines and Lifelines: Collected Poems from an Army Doctor in Crisis and War (English Edition)
https://www.amazon.com/Frontlines-Lifelines-Collected-Doctor-Crisis-ebook/dp/B0DCS1DFMH
This podcast is sponsored by PAX.
Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range please click here:
https://www.pax-bags.com/en/
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37:58
Documentation and Communication. Medico-legal aspects of Care Part 1 - with Mark Faulkner.
In this episode, we’re diving into a critical topic for all
pre-hospital providers: Documentation and Communication—Protecting Patients and Providers.
In the increasingly complex world of pre-hospital care, accurate documentation and effective communication are more than just administrative tasks—they are key to ensuring patient safety, defending clinical decisions, and protecting providers from legal challenges. Every action and decision made in the field must be carefully recorded, as inadequate documentation can expose providers to significant legal risk and impact patient care.
In this episode, we’ll explore best practices for pre-hospital record-keeping, the legal implications of incomplete or inaccurate documentation, and how clear communication during handovers to hospital teams can make or break a case. We’ll also examine real-world case studies, highlighting situations where discrepancies in documentation or poor
communication led to legal issues or adverse outcomes.
This podcast is sponsored by PAX.
Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range please click here:
https://www.pax-bags.com/en/
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59:19
The Anatomy of Decision Making Under High Pressure Situations
In this episode of the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast, we explore why decision-making is a cornerstone of effective pre-hospital care. Using a compelling case study from a high-pressure environment, we examine how clinicians navigate complex decisions and decisions within decisions.
We dive into key theories of decision-making, including Miller’s Magic Number 7, which highlights the limits of working memory, and heuristics, the mental shortcuts we use under pressure. We also discuss inattention bias—how critical details can be overlooked—and the importance of metacognition in reflecting on and improving decisions.
Discover common pitfalls, such as over-reliance on intuition or cognitive overload, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence as a supportive tool in pre-hospital care decision-making. With AI's potential to analyse data rapidly and provide guidance, how can it complement the human element of judgment and compassion?
Finally, we share practical tools and strategies to navigate decision-making challenges, and how clinicians can make sound, timely, and patient-focused choices in dynamic situations. Join us for this insightful episode as we break down the anatomy of decision-making in pre-hospital care.
More information on the case study of Dan Richards can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=649646908762720
This podcast is sponsored by PAX.
Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range please click here:
https://www.pax-bags.com/en/
This podcast is designed to have engaging and inspirational conversations with some of the worlds leading experts in or relating to pre-hospital care. We hope you take a lot from the conversations both from a technical and non-technical perspective. Please rate and review the show as feedback helps ensure that the best information gets back to you throughout the project.
Ireland