The Critical Care Commute Podcast

Critical Care Commute
  • 4.6 (7)
  • MEDICINE

The Critical Care Commute Podcast is grateful for your ears, insights and feedback. In return its hosts- Peter Brindley and Leon Byker, two ICU doctors in Alberta, Canada- offer up knowledge and debate with some of the most qualified, interesting, enlightened and provocative folks in Critical Care Medicine, and beyond. We strive to keep it practical and concise. Like you, our overriding goal is to get better, do better and feel better.

  1. Steroids, Fluids, Interleukins, COVID 19 and lots of Professorial Wisdom with Prof. John Myburgh

    FEB 10

    Steroids, Fluids, Interleukins, COVID 19 and lots of Professorial Wisdom with Prof. John Myburgh

    In this discussion at the College of Intensive Care meeting in Tasmania 2025, Peter Brindley and Leon Byker engage with Prof. John Myburgh, who talks about his long-standing involvement in critical care research and the annual college meeting. John discusses the significance of the grad ceremony and highlights the impact of his research group at the George Institute. He reflects on the contributions of late colleague Ronaldo and praises current leading figures. The conversation delves deep into the ongoing research on steroids in critical care, focusing on genetic endotypes and precision medicine. Other topics covered include interleukin treatments, the evolution of fluid management in treating conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis, and the adaptive platform trials in sepsis. The discussion concludes with reflections on the Queensland Covid-19 vaccine and the broad implications of science, social forces, and politics in critical care advancements.00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:32 John's Involvement with the College01:47 Research and Collaborations03:29 Steroids in Critical Care04:49 Genomic Studies and Future Trials07:18 Challenges in Measuring Outcomes13:27 Interleukins and Sepsis14:18 Fluid Management in Critical Care19:31 COVID-19 and the Queensland Vaccine23:49 Closing Remarks

    25 min
  2. Are Emergency Rooms in Crisis? With Dr Paul Parks.

    JAN 26

    Are Emergency Rooms in Crisis? With Dr Paul Parks.

    In this episode of the Critical Care Commute, hosts Peter Brindley and Leon Byker engage in a compelling discussion with Dr. Paul Parks, a prominent emergency physician and advocate for healthcare reform. Dr. Parks shares his insights on the current state of emergency room care in Alberta, emphasizing the systemic issues that have led to a crisis in emergency services. He describes the overwhelming pressures faced by emergency departments, and highlight the dire need for government acknowledgment and action to address the crisis. He also articulates the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, where patients often wait for hours or even days for care, and advocates for a coordinated response to improve patient outcomes. Takeaways 'Emerge owns the sins of the system.''We are right now in a state of crisis.''It's inhumane the conditions that we're seeing.''We need a command and control structure.''We must move back to being data-driven in our decisions.''We have to have the ability to speak truth to power.''Patients are waiting for hours, even days, for care.''The system is chaotic and disorganized.''We need to advocate for transparency and accountability.'

    34 min
  3. Complaints, Courtrooms and Keeping Calm while Carrying on.

    JAN 13

    Complaints, Courtrooms and Keeping Calm while Carrying on.

    In this conversation, Dr. Marcus Peck shares his harrowing experience of being involved in a medical case that led to a coronial inquest and subsequent investigation by the GMC. He discusses the emotional toll of moral distress, the challenges of navigating legal scrutiny in the medical field, and the importance of community support. The conversation highlights the complexities of patient care, the impact of loss on healthcare professionals, and the lessons learned from difficult experiences in critical care. Dr Marcus Peck is a consultant in anesthesia and intensive care at Hampshire Hospitals NHS trust, and Network Lead of the Intensive Care Society's Focused Ultrasound for Intensive Care (FUSIC) committee and is joined by Dr Jonny Wilkinson, Consultant in ICU and Anesthesia from North Hampton. Takeaways: Loss is a universal experience in the medical community.Moral distress can significantly impact healthcare professionals.Legal challenges can arise from complex medical cases.Documentation is crucial in protecting healthcare providers.Emotional responses to patient outcomes are valid and important.Support from colleagues and community is essential during tough times.Investigations can feel isolating and shameful for medical professionals.Resilience is key in overcoming professional challenges.Learning from past experiences can improve future practice.Open conversations about these issues can help reduce stigma.

    38 min
  4. Acknowledgement of Country with Dr Lewis Campbell

    12/17/2025

    Acknowledgement of Country with Dr Lewis Campbell

    In this short thoughtful episode, we highlight an important Australian tradition: the Acknowledgement of Country. This brief statement, often given at the start of meetings, gatherings, and public events, recognizes the Traditional Custodians of the land, honors their enduring cultural connection to it, and shows respect for Elders past and present. It’s a simple but meaningful way Australians acknowledge history, presence, and identity, and it reflects a national commitment to reconciliation and cultural respect. In today’s episode, we introduce Dr. Lewis Campbell, a critical care physician from Alice Springs, south of Darwin. Dr. Campbell brings his Northern Territory perspective to our clinical conversation, offering insights shaped by the unique geography, culture, and healthcare challenges of Australia’s Top End. A concise, engaging listen for your commute.

    19 min
  5. MedPod Learn: A New Era in Medical Podcasts.

    12/02/2025

    MedPod Learn: A New Era in Medical Podcasts.

    In this conversation, Iain discusses the launch of MedPod Learn, a platform offering a searchable database of curated medical podcasts. He shares insights on the pricing strategy, including user perceptions about value and affordability, and the decision to offer a free trial to encourage subscriptions. Takeaways MedPod Learn offers a searchable database of medical podcasts. The platform is available on both App Store and Google Play. User perceptions of pricing can vary significantly. Some users believe lower prices may lead to undervaluation. Iain's approach includes a free trial for new users. The subscription fee is set at £2.99 after the trial. Market research revealed surprising insights about pricing expectations. The founder's model aims to attract early adopters. Engagement strategies are crucial for subscription services. Understanding user psychology is key to pricing decisions. https://t.co/Jw9XUrA5nh Download MedPod Learn from Google Play Store or Apple Store

    32 min
  6. The Obesity Paradox with Dr Rob Bevan

    11/12/2025

    The Obesity Paradox with Dr Rob Bevan

    In this episode, Peter Brindley interviews Dr. Rob Bevan, past president of the CICM, about the obesity paradox in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). They discuss the surprising observation that overweight ICU patients often show better survival rates than those underweight, despite obesity's known health risks. Dr. Bevan dives into the history and the limitations of BMI as a metric and various biases that could influence the perceived obesity paradox. He also explains how classification bias, selection bias, confounding, and collider bias might skew these outcomes. The discussion touches on the importance of separating patients who are critically ill and happen to be obese from those who are in ICU primarily because of obesity-related diseases. The conversation is rooted in the upcoming textbook chapter authored by Dr. Bevan and explores obesity's broader health implications globally.

    18 min
  7. Precision Medicine - It may be easier than you think!

    10/29/2025

    Precision Medicine - It may be easier than you think!

    In this episode, Peter and Leon, recording at the College of Intensive Care Medicine's Conference in Tasmania, Australia, discuss advancements in precision medicine with Dr. Pratik Sinha from Washington University in St. Louis. Dr Pratik trained in both Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, but only works clinically as an intensivist. He runs a research program that seeks to change the way we identify and classify critically ill patients, by using a combination of novel biological measurements and state of the art data science approaches. The conversation delves into how critical care medicine currently operates, emphasizing the need to shift from supportive care to more personalized approaches using biological measuring systems, big data, and novel data science techniques. They discuss identifying patient subgroups using machine learning algorithms and protein biomarkers, revealing phenotypes like hyper and hypo-inflammatory responses. The discussion covers the practical challenges of implementing these technologies, the importance of rigorous testing, and the future implications for intensive care. The speakers highlight the necessity of prospective clinical trials and broader accessibility of these advanced diagnostic tools to improve patient outcomes. 00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks 00:34 Diving into Precision Medicine 01:35 Elevator Pitch for Medical Research 02:10 Understanding Patient Complexity 04:12 Biological Measurements and Data Science 10:37 Challenges in Modern Medicine 17:08 Future of Medical Research and AI 21:20 Concluding Thoughts and Future Prospects

    31 min
  8. Mystery Guest - Dr Smith and the future of Critical Care Medicine.

    10/14/2025

    Mystery Guest - Dr Smith and the future of Critical Care Medicine.

    In this episode of the Critical Care Commute podcast, Dr. Smith discusses the multifaceted future of critical care medicine, touching on economic, political, and technological challenges. The conversation delves into the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing healthcare, the importance of clinician well-being, and the need for a human touch in medicine. The discussion also explores personal interests, travel experiences, and the ethical implications of AI in clinical practice, emphasizing the balance between technology and human interaction. Guests: Drs Marcus Peck and Jonny Wilkinson. Chapters 00:00 The Future of Critical Care Medicine 02:40 Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare 05:38 Human Factors and Clinician Well-being 08:22 Economic Challenges in Healthcare 11:09 The Role of Politics in Healthcare 14:13 The Turing Test and AI's Evolution 16:41 Personal Interests and Travel Experiences 19:57 AI's Impact on Clinical Practice 22:38 Ethical Considerations of AI in Medicine 25:19 The Future of AI and Human Interaction

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Critical Care Commute Podcast is grateful for your ears, insights and feedback. In return its hosts- Peter Brindley and Leon Byker, two ICU doctors in Alberta, Canada- offer up knowledge and debate with some of the most qualified, interesting, enlightened and provocative folks in Critical Care Medicine, and beyond. We strive to keep it practical and concise. Like you, our overriding goal is to get better, do better and feel better.

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