The Learning Curve

Irtaza Asar

Welcome to The Learning Curve, a podcast where we celebrate educators in medicine, amplify fresh voices, and explore the unique niches that make teaching as much an art as it is a science.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 27 - AI in Medical Education: Smarter Training or Dangerous Shortcut? featuring Dr. Jesse Pines

    Summary: In this episode of The Learning Curve, host Dr. Irtaza Asar is joined by Dr. Jesse Pines for a conversation about the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in medical education and how these technologies are beginning to reshape the way clinicians learn, teach, and make decisions. Dr. Pines explores the opportunities AI offers for personalized learning, clinical reasoning, knowledge synthesis, feedback, and curriculum development, while also addressing the limitations and potential risks of relying too heavily on these tools. The discussion highlights practical ways educators and learners can thoughtfully integrate AI into their everyday workflows, from generating educational content and accelerating literature review to supporting clinical decision-making and creating more individualized learning experiences. Ultimately, the conversation moves beyond the hype to examine how AI can be used responsibly—not as a replacement for physicians or educators, but as a powerful tool to augment learning, improve efficiency, enhance teaching, and help shape the future of medical education.   Key Takeaways: AI is shifting medical education from memorization to judgment AI works best when used for edge cases, not just routine ones Just-in-time learning is more powerful than after-the-fact studying The biggest risk is not wrong answers, but missing information AI use is already happening, so education must focus on literacy, not prohibition Prompting is becoming a real clinical skill AI can make teaching more adaptive and personalized Dr. Pines podcast: Healthcare AI Pioneers

  2. Jul 20

    TSN5 - Structural Bias: When the System Shapes the Outcome with Dr. Ryan McLoughlin

    Structural bias can shape patient outcomes through barriers such as delayed interpreter access, limited resources, inconsistent protocols, and unequal access to care. In this episode of TSN 5, Dr. Ryan McLoughlin explains how clinicians can recognize these system-level gaps, respond in real time, and use small, intentional actions to create more equitable care.

  3. Jul 6

    TSN 5 - Cognitive Bias: Why Smart Clinicians Still Miss Things with Dr. Ryan McLoughlin

    In this episode of Teach Me Something New in Under 5 Minutes, Dr. Ryan McLoughlin breaks down cognitive bias in emergency medicine — the thinking traps that can lead even smart, experienced clinicians toward diagnostic error. From anchoring and premature closure to availability bias, this episode highlights how bias shows up during real ED decision-making and offers a simple framework to slow down, ask “What else could this be?”, and catch potential misses before they impact patient care.

  4. Jun 24

    TSN 5 - Implicit Bias: The Hidden Driver of Clinical Decisions with Dr. Ryan McLoughlin

    Summary: In this TSN5 episode, Dr. Ryan McLoughlin breaks down a practical, real-time approach to recognizing implicit bias in the ED. He walks through how unconscious assumptions can influence clinical reasoning, pain management, diagnosis, and disposition — especially when we’re busy, stressed, and moving fast. Most importantly, he explains how a simple pause, a second diagnosis, and one key question can help interrupt bias before it impacts patient care.

  5. Jun 10

    Episode 26 - Lets Talk About ECMO featuring Dr. Hitesh Gidwani

    Summary: What do you do when the vent is maxed, the pressors are climbing, and your usual resuscitation playbook is no longer enough? In this episode of The Learning Curve, Dr. Irtaza Asar sits down with ECMO expert Dr. Hitesh Gidwani to break down one of critical care’s most powerful rescue tools: ECMO. Together, they unpack when to start thinking about ECMO, how to tell the difference between VV and VA ECMO, and how to recognize the patient who may benefit before it is too late. Dr. Gidwani shares practical decision-making frameworks, common pitfalls to avoid, and lessons from over a decade of ECMO experience. From crashing patients to limb ischemia to the big-picture question of whether ECMO is truly the right bridge, this episode makes a complex topic feel practical, approachable, and clinically relevant. A must-listen for anyone who takes care of sick patients and wants to better understand what happens when conventional resuscitation isn’t enough.

  6. May 29

    TSN 5 - The Aortic Dissection Dilemma with Dr. Kenny Chang

    Summary: In this TSN5 episode, Dr. Kenny Chang breaks down a practical, high-yield approach to recognizing aortic dissection in the ED. He walks through key bedside clues — sudden severe pain, pulse or perfusion deficits, and neurologic red flags — while emphasizing why this diagnosis can masquerade as ACS. Most importantly, he explains why pausing before anticoagulation or cath lab activation can be the decision that saves a life.

  7. May 14

    TSN 5 - Nec Fasc: Time Is Tissue with Dr. Irtaza Asar

    Summary: “Just cellulitis” … until the patient crashes. Necrotizing soft tissue infections are rare, deadly, and EASY to miss early. In this episode of TSN5, we break down the red flags that should make you stop and think: Pain out of proportion Rapid progression Crepitus, bullae, skin changes The “sicker than they look” patient Because in nec fasc… time is tissue.

  8. Apr 29

    TSN 5 – Syncope Approach in the ED with Dr. Emily F.

    Summary: In the emergency department, most syncope is benign—but the cases you miss can be life-threatening. In this TSN5 episode, Dr. Emily F. shares a simple framework to rapidly identify high-risk patients, grounded in core essentials like the ECG, glucose, and pregnancy test. Instead of relying on complex scoring systems, this practical approach helps clinicians confirm true syncope, recognize red flags using the ABCDE LEFT RIGHT rule, and stratify risk based on history and key findings. The result: faster, clearer decision-making—so you can confidently determine who needs further workup and who can be safely discharged.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Learning Curve, a podcast where we celebrate educators in medicine, amplify fresh voices, and explore the unique niches that make teaching as much an art as it is a science.

Information

  • Creator
    Irtaza Asar
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Learning Curve