Australian Anaesthesia

Australian Society of Anaesthetists
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The Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) was formed in 1934 as a not-for-profit member organisation dedicated to supporting and connecting anaesthetists in Australia. Join Dr Suzi Nou as she talks about all things relevant to anaesthesia in Australia with experts, peers and members of the ASA. These conversations serve to inform, challenge and inspire you to be the best and safest throughout your career. Send your ideas and feedback to podcast@asa.org.au

  1. 6D AGO

    Ep116. Mastering Emergencies - Inside the New Anaesthetic Crisis Manual with Dr David Borshoff

    I chat with Dr David Borshoff about the latest edition of the Anaesthetic Crisis Manual. This edition includes a new 'Prevention' section, collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and comes out in 2 versions: International and North American. As an ASA member, you are eligible for a FREE(!) or discounted Manual. Contact asa@asa.org.au for more details. Not a member? Find out about more benefits of being a member here: https://asa.org.au/types-of-membership Key Takeaways Cognitive aids like the Anesthetic Crisis Manual reduce cognitive load and anxiety during crises by providing systematic reassurance rather than replacing clinical judgment. Simplicity in crisis management protocols requires substantial effort— Dr Borshoff spent nine months updating the fourth edition with fellowship-level study commitment to distill information to essential directives. Team communication and psychological safety are critical; the anaesthetic technician's willingness to speak up during Dr Borshoff's front-of-neck access directly contributed to patient survival. Passion projects and creative outlets in medicine maintain professional engagement and curiosity, preventing burnout while advancing patient safety and departmental culture. Accessibility matters: offering manuals free to trainees and discounted to members embeds cognitive aid culture into the profession from early career stages. Quotable Moments "None of us are infallible 100% of the time." "When you're cognitively loaded, you want to be making as few decisions as possible so that you can stick to the big stuff." "The crisis manual is there to support the clinical acumen and the decision making of the doctor. It's not the other way around." "If you've got something that you're passionate about, then you're prepared to do the work and you don't realise how many hours are ticking away while you're doing it." "Why don't you just do it properly, doc?" — The anaesthetic technician's intervention that broke Borshoff's fixation error during emergency front-of-neck access. Some other episodes you might enjoy: Ep25. The Anaesthetic Crisis Manual with Dr David Borshoff Ep78. AMAX4 - a cognitive aid for anaphylaxis with Dr Ben McKenzie Find the Anaesthetic Crisis Manual and other Crisis Manuals here: https://leeuwinpress.com.au/ We welcome any feedback: podcast@asa.org.au

    37 min

  2. FEB 22

    Ep115. How the ASA Cares for You - Wellbeing Resources with Dr Lan-Hoa Le

    We have a new wellbeing webpage! In this episode I chat with Dr Lan-Hoa Le, Chair of the ASA's Wellbeing Advocates Committee. She has been busy curating a webpage with a tonne of useful resources from crisis helplines, peer support programs and mindfulness training. There is something there for everyone, whether you or a colleague would appreciate some confidential support, you are interested in supporting others or you already have a well established interest and role in developing wellbeing in the workplace. We welcome all anaesthetists and those that support us to visit the webpage, regardless of your ASA membership status. You can find it here. Everymind's guide to language and suicide Ep33. Substance use disorder: A personal perspective with Dr Colin Baird Ep84. Ahpra with AMA Policy Manager Nick Elmitt Donate to or seek assistance from the ASA Benevolent Fund.

    27 min

  3. FEB 8

    Ep114. Laughing Gas, Serious Waste: Measuring Nitrous Wastage with Dr Ethan Fitzclarence

    Who likes the idea of excessive waste in healthcare? Especially when it is something that can impact our colleagues and has negative climate effects? In this episode I chat with Dr Ethan Fitzclarence, from Perth, Western Australia about an audit he conducted as part of his anaesthetic training. He discovered an astounding amount of nitrous oxide was being leaked to the atmosphere. We discuss his methodology, the health impacts of nitrous oxide waste and the growing movement to toward decommissioning pipeline systems in favour of cylinder-based delivery. Read our Joint Statement on decommissioning nitrous oxide medical gas pipeline systems. For this work, Dr Fitzclarence won the Nerida Dilworth prize - congratulations! Find more information about this and other ASA research prizes here. The accompanying poster to the podcast can be found in the March 2026 edition of Australian Anaesthetist. The September 2022 edition is all about environmental sustainability and where you can read more about this and other initiatives undertaken by anaesthetists. Both are available on the ASA website. Learn more about other ways to get involved in an audit as a trainee: Ep69. Talking TRA2SH - trainee led research into sustainability in healthcare with Dr Jess Davies

    31 min

  4. FEB 4

    Ep113. Airway, Breathing, Calm - ABCs of Yoga and Anaesthesia with Dr Andrea Binks

    Welcome to 2026! In this episode I chat with Dr Andrea Binks, an anaesthetist and accomplished yoga facilitator from Wollongong, NSW. Dr. Binks shares her unconventional journey into anaesthesia, transitioning from physician and cardiology training in the UK to intensive care and eventually anaesthesia. I learn how yoga has been a constant in her life since childhood, evolving from a personal practice to teaching qualification, and how it now informs her approach to patient care. We explore the intersection of trauma-informed yoga practices and anaesthetic practice, the use of invitational language, and the importance of patient autonomy, and creating safe spaces for vulnerable patients. Episodes you may want to enjoy after this one: Ep98. Coaching for Doctors with Dr Anne Frankl Ep83. The Women's Empowerment and Leadership Initiative (WELI) with Prof Nina Deutsch & A/Prof Larry Schwartz Ep106. Anaesthesia Unlocked: Fast-tracking IMGs in Australia with Prof David Story Find out more about the Australian and New Zealand chapter of WELI - Women's Empowerment and Leadership Initiative We welcome new members and any feedback. https://asa.org.au/types-of-membership/how-to-join/ podcast@asa.org.au

    44 min

  5. 12/21/2025

    Ep112: Success, Safety and Risk in Anaesthesia with Professor Tim Cook

    I catch up with Professor Tim Cook, of the UK National Audit Projects live at the Australian Society of Anaesthetists' National Scientific Congress (NSC). We discuss his incredible work, his ideas of success and what risk in anaesthesia mean to him. ASA branded scrubs are here! Only available to ASA members. Get your discounted scrubs with free embroidery here. https://asa.org.au/your-asa-advantage-program#scrubs Professor Cook's talk from the NSC is available to be viewed on demand. If you haven't already registered, you can do so here: https://asansc.com.au/registration/ 3 other episodes to listen to: Ep54: webAIRS with Prof Martin Culwick Ep79: webAIRS: jaw dislocation Ep111: The GLP-1 Revolution: What it Means for Anaesthesia with Dr Doug Hacking Want to access more resources? Become an ASA member! We welcome any feedback. podcast@asa.org.au

    27 min

  6. 12/07/2025

    Ep111. The GLP-1 Revolution: What it Means for Anaesthesia with Dr Doug Hacking

    In this episode: The last of my thought bubble talks on how to introduce yourself with confidence and claritySome tips on balancing an academic research career and clinical medicineChanging from one medical specialty (e.g. paediatrics) to another (e.g anaesthesia) I'm chatting with Dr Doug Hacking, paediatrician, anaesthetist, researcher. We are discussing GLP-1 receptor agonists and what they mean for anaesthesia. This is based on his editorial in the September 2025 edition of the scientific journal, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. ASA Members! Are you interested in learning more about gastric POCUS? At the end of the podcast I share with you an exclusive offer that will save you hundreds of dollars. Link to Prof Dariush Mozaffarian podcast on the health harms of unprocessed foods and ralated policies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaiGzkKIgbc The exclusive ASA gastric POCUS offer: https://www.asahq.org/education-and-career/educational-and-cme-offerings/gastric-pocus Become an ASA member to access these resources and more: https://asa.org.au/types-of-membership/how-to-join/ We welcome any feedback: podcast@asa.org.au

    36 min

  7. 11/23/2025

    Ep110. Tips for Aspiring Anaesthetists: A Conversation with Prof Ed Mariano

    In this episode I hand the mic over to Dr Tom Neal-Williams, an anaesthetic trainee and hard working member of the ASA Communications Committee to be a guest host on the podcast. He is talking with Professor Ed Mariano, regional anaesthesia guru, researcher, leader and educator and gaining tips on how he navigates his career. I also share some thoughts on vocal fry. This episode was recorded live at the ASA's National Scientific Congress in Canberra. If you want to watch Professor Mariano's talks from the Congress (and I suggest you do), you can register for access here: https://asansc.com.au/registration/ Join the ASA to have access to more great educational content: https://asa.org.au/types-of-membership/how-to-join/ We welcome any feedback. Email us ! podcast@asa.org.au

    18 min

  8. 11/09/2025

    Ep109. The Secret Thoughts of Presidents: Dr Bob Hare

    An oldie but a goodie - literally! I'm chatting with Dr Bob Hare, President of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) from 1980-82. and the earliest surviving President of the ASA. We also recorded this conversation a few years ago, prior to the ASA turning 90. We compare various anaesthetic techniques and innovations, from ether masks to glass cannulas that have occurred across the generations. Dr. Hare shares invaluable insights about the fight to elevate the status of anaesthetists in Australia, the importance of the preoperative consultation, and advances in postoperative pain management., We also dive into the changes in our role as anaesthetists as well as some of the important work he and the ASA has done to raise the status of anaesthetists here in Australia.  I also share some thoughts on how to introduce yourself, or more particularly, how to say your name (you'd be surprised how often I hear people don't do it well). Some other episodes of interest: Ep90. Our special 90th birthday episode. https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/7eec4b11-e5d5-484b-b396-ab2e701e8318/EP90-Happy-90th-birthday-AAP-V2-converted.mp3 Ep85 and Ep86. Conversations with ASA Past President Dr Don Maxwell https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/b94ca3a2-cbc9-407c-a29b-a579ac16c34d/EP85-Dr-Don-Maxwell-Part-1-AAP-converted.mp3 https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/5325f0ca-7402-4092-bc0b-0ae8c08c27a7/EP86-Dr-Don-Maxwell-Part-2-AAP-V1-converted.mp3 Join the ASA in advancing anaesthesia excellence https://asa.org.au/ As always, I welcome feedback and ideas: podcast@asa.org.au

    50 min
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About

The Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) was formed in 1934 as a not-for-profit member organisation dedicated to supporting and connecting anaesthetists in Australia. Join Dr Suzi Nou as she talks about all things relevant to anaesthesia in Australia with experts, peers and members of the ASA. These conversations serve to inform, challenge and inspire you to be the best and safest throughout your career. Send your ideas and feedback to podcast@asa.org.au

Information

  • Creator
    Australian Society of Anaesthetists
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    119
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Australian Society of Anaesthetists
  • Show Website
    Australian Anaesthesia

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