The Host Response: A FirstcallID Podcast

FirstcallID
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The Host Response is a clinically focused, practical podcast exploring Infectious Diseases and critical topics in medical practice. Designed for learners at all stages—from students to seasoned clinicians—it offers concise, high-yield insights and pearls that extend beyond infectious diseases, touching all fields of medicine. Whether you're practicing on the front lines or simply passionate about medical science, The Host Response delivers essential knowledge in a clear and approachable way.

  1. Episode 26 - Liars Who Lie: Why Infectious Diseases depends on verifying the story

    2D AGO

    Episode 26 - Liars Who Lie: Why Infectious Diseases depends on verifying the story

    In this episode of The Host Response, Dr. Paul Bunce explores a deceptively simple problem in infectious diseases: the clinical story you’re given isn’t always the story you need. From “CSF was clear” to “ALL of the hardware is out,” small assumptions, missing details, and imprecise language can quietly shape major management decisions. In a field where treatment depends heavily on context, verifying the fundamentals matters. Through real examples and practical reflections, this episode focuses on how to approach clinical information with a more critical eye: checking key details, asking more precise questions, and recognizing when something doesn’t quite fit. This is not about mistrust. It’s about clinical responsibility. Whether you’re an infectious diseases physician, trainee, or any clinician involved in complex care, this episode offers practical strategies to improve diagnostic clarity and decision-making. More episodes and teaching resources are available at firstcallid.ca

    5 min
  2. Episode 25 - Don’t Mistake Silence for Ignorance: Clinical Reasoning and Timing in Infectious Diseases

    APR 5

    Episode 25 - Don’t Mistake Silence for Ignorance: Clinical Reasoning and Timing in Infectious Diseases

    When should you say everything you’re thinking...and when should you hold back? In this episode of The Host Response, Dr. Paul Bunce explores a subtle but important aspect of clinical reasoning in infectious diseases: timing. Consultants often carry multiple working diagnoses, contingencies, and “next steps” in mind, but not all of these need to be voiced immediately. Knowing what to share, when to share it, and what to hold in reserve is a skill that develops over time. Topics explored include: Why not every thought needs to be documented or discussed upfront The concept of the “tomorrow thought” in evolving clinical casesHow stepwise decision-making can reduce confusion and improve clarityThe risks of being perceived as having “missed something”Real-world examples of pacing investigations and treatmentThis episode is a reflection on how experienced clinicians balance transparency, uncertainty, and timing…and why silence is not the same as inaction. 🎓 More infectious diseases teaching resources: FirstCallID.ca

    5 min
  3. Episode 24 - Definitive Antibiotic Therapy: Balancing Options in Infectious Diseases

    MAR 22

    Episode 24 - Definitive Antibiotic Therapy: Balancing Options in Infectious Diseases

    How do you choose the “right” antibiotic once cultures are finalized? In this episode of The Host Response, Dr. Paul Bunce walks through one of the most deceptively complex steps in infectious diseases: selecting definitive (or “destination”) antibiotic therapy. While it may feel like the easy part of the case, this decision involves balancing multiple competing factors and not just picking the narrowest drug on the susceptibility report. Considerations include: Antimicrobial spectrum and when “narrower” isn’t always betterIV vs oral therapy and when PO options are appropriateDosing frequency and real-world feasibilityDrug penetration, bioavailability, and site of infectionDrug interactions and toxicity considerationsPatient-specific factors (renal function, comorbidities, pregnancy)Cost, access, and healthcare system constraintsWhy efficacy still matters most — even when we may forget to prioritize itThrough practical examples and common clinical dilemmas, this episode highlights why there is often more than one “right” answer, and how to approach these decisions thoughtfully. Whether you’re a trainee or a practicing clinician, this episode will help you build a structured, repeatable approach to antibiotic selection. 🎓 More infectious diseases teaching resources available at FirstCallID.ca

    7 min
  4. Episode 23 – Tribute to the Puswhisperer, Mark Crislip, the Puscast, and Gobbet o’ Pus

    MAR 8

    Episode 23 – Tribute to the Puswhisperer, Mark Crislip, the Puscast, and Gobbet o’ Pus

    In this episode of The Host Response, Dr Paul Bunce reflectson the lasting influence of Mark Crislip, known to many as the Puswhisperer, and his infectious diseases podcasts Persiflager’s Infectious Diseases Puscast and Gobbet o’ Pus. From 2007 to 2021, the Puscast offered a biweekly review ofthe infectious diseases literature, combining sharp critical appraisal with practical clinical insight. For many trainees and practicing ID physicians, it became essential listening and a way to stay current before infectious diseases had much presence on social media. Gobbet o’ Pus delivered more than 1400 short clinical pearlscovering Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, candidemia, HSV detected in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, immunodeficiency screening in invasive pneumococcal disease, and much more. Many of these lessons remain deeply relevant despite evolving guidelines. In this tribute episode, we revisit several classic Gobbetsand reflect on recurring themes that shaped a generation of infectious diseases clinicians, including the limits of anecdote, the perils of spiraling empiricism in antibiotic therapy, and the intellectual breadth required of ID consultants. If you trained in infectious diseases in the late 2000s or2010s, this episode may feel familiar. If you did not, consider it an introduction to one of the foundational voices in digital ID education. The Host Response is a FirstCallID podcast focused onclinical reasoning and practical infectious diseases teaching.

    7 min
  5. Episode 22 - WWJD: Mentally crowdsourcing Infectious Diseases conundrums

    FEB 22

    Episode 22 - WWJD: Mentally crowdsourcing Infectious Diseases conundrums

    In this episode of The Host Response, Dr. Paul Bunce explores a deceptively simple but powerful skill in medicine: using the insights of your colleagues when facing challenging cases. Drawing on a real life blastomycosis case and strategies for spotting blind spots in your own reasoning, Paul shows how mentally asking “WWJD?” what would your experienced peers do can guide decisions, clarify uncertainty, and improve patient care. This episode is ideal for infectious diseases physicians, trainees, and any clinician navigating complex cases. It highlights the value of humility, collaboration, and integrating diverse expertise into your thinking. Coomes EA, Bunce PE. Sickle Cough: A Case of Nonresolving Pneumonia. Am J Med. 2018 Sep;131(9):e369-e370. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29660349/

    4 min
  6. Episode 21 - Why Reading the Radiology Report Isn’t Enough in Infectious Diseases

    FEB 8

    Episode 21 - Why Reading the Radiology Report Isn’t Enough in Infectious Diseases

    In infectious diseases, reading the radiology report is not enough. In this episode, Dr. Paul Bunce explains why looking at imaging yourself is a core part of a thoughtful ID consultation. From abscesses that sound impressive on paper but are not actually drainable, to pleural effusions, pneumonias, postoperative collections, and liver abscesses, this episode explores how reviewing the images changes clinical decisions. We discuss how imaging helps assess severity, feasibility of intervention, trajectory of response, and realistic expectations for both procedures and antibiotic duration. This episode is for trainees and clinicians who want to sharpen their consult skills, avoid overconfident recommendations, and understand why experienced ID physicians insist on opening the images rather than relying solely on the report.

    6 min
  7. Episode 20 - Bundles 3.0

    JAN 25

    Episode 20 - Bundles 3.0

    Dr. Paul Bunce and Dr. Brooke Fraser (newly minted Adult IDspecialist), bring you the third episode in our “Bundles” series with fourquick-hitting topics blending infectious diseases and beyond. Resources & Highlights: Sunnybrook Antimicrobial Stewardship AppA practical, user-friendly tool for antibiotic guidance, dosing, and special situations like pregnancy.Online TST/IGRA Interpreter (TSTin3D). Estimates individualized TB progression risk and helps guide preventive therapy decisions. https://www.tstin3d.com/Updated IDSA UTI Guidelines (2025)New criteria for complicated vs. uncomplicated UTIs and clear recommendations on empiric and step down antibiotic therapy.IV Iron During Infection – ASH 2025 Abstract: Challenging the dogma: IV iron may be safe and beneficial even during acute bacterial infections.  Safe Space: Antibiotic-associated rash in infectious mononucleosis: immune-mediated and usually transient.Kingella kingae as a stealth cause of pediatric bone and joint infections. https://communicable.transistor.fm/episodes/communicable-e44-top clinical-microbiology-papers-in-2025 https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jcm.00986-25

    28 min
  8. Episode 19 - Shaking the Snow Globe: Why Patients Crash After Starting Antibiotics

    JAN 11

    Episode 19 - Shaking the Snow Globe: Why Patients Crash After Starting Antibiotics

    Why do some patients worsen after starting the right antibiotics? In this episode, Dr. Paul Bunce breaks down the post antibiotic inflammatory crash, why it happens, how to recognize it, and how to manage deterioration without reflexively broadening therapy. A must listen for trainees facing the unnerving moment when treatment appears to make things worse.

    5 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Host Response is a clinically focused, practical podcast exploring Infectious Diseases and critical topics in medical practice. Designed for learners at all stages—from students to seasoned clinicians—it offers concise, high-yield insights and pearls that extend beyond infectious diseases, touching all fields of medicine. Whether you're practicing on the front lines or simply passionate about medical science, The Host Response delivers essential knowledge in a clear and approachable way.

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