Anaesthesia Compass

Here is the introduction to the first ever course on Anaesthesia for Developing countries, featuring Sir Robert Macintosh recounting the development of Draw-over anaesthesia.

The DWA and ADC courses should soon be back as real events in the flesh where you can meet and network with like-minded anaesthetists. Details here...

Why is there a big gap between western anaesthesia and much of the rest of the world. How can we bridge it? See also Hans Rosling on YouTube “Hans Rosling's 200 countries, 200 years, 4 minutes”

Keith Thomson talks about how he first went to Africa, about Mercy Ships and a variety of land-based life changing missions.

Dr Eric Vreede has spent most of his professional life working overseas. He talks to Mike about his experiences and aims.

Mike and Steve Pickering talk about the hospital where Mike gave his first anaesthetic in 1968, and where Steve now works.

Rachel Freedman, course director of the RCoA Developing World Anaesthesia course, tells you why you should join in.

Ray Towey describes his experience of this terrifying and complex disease.

Dr Rachel Freedman tells us about the Lifebox project, and her time as a Lifebox fellow in Mbarara, Uganda

Dr Naomi Shamambo talks about her experiences as a trainee in both Zambia and UK, and the different roles of doctor, nurse and clinical officer anaesthetist.

Professor Vojka Neskovic talks about her experiences as an anaesthetist in Belgrade.

Anaesthesia Compass is having a break over Easter and will resume on Friday April 16th

Mike Dobson reviews how anaesthesia has developed in the west since 1970, and how some of those developments have impacted on the rest of the world

Karen Leyden is a UK consultant anaesthetist who spent her infancy in Gulu, Uganda, worked as a teacher in Honduras, and is now the lead in planning the anaesthesia service in a brand new hospital. She talks about the choices that have to be made.

Mark Newton tells about some of the people who have impressed and encouraged him at Kijabe hospital.

Mark Newton talks about his 23 years working in Kijabe Hospital, Kenya.

Tom Bashford talks to Lucy Guile about developing a systems approach to improving anaesthetic care in low income settings, and outlines some pros and cons of combining academic and clinical training.

Mike and Bill continue their discussion about generators, PVAs ( photovoltaic arrays), batteries, and future developments to improve availability of good quality electrical power.

Reliable electrical power is vital in the hospital and operating theatre. World expert Bill Wright talks about the things that often go wrong, and how to keep your electro medical equipment from being damaged.

Dr ElHassan Dhatti from Kano tells us about life as one of 300 specialist anaesthetists in a country of 208 million people

Laurie Marks tells us how anaesthesia, and hospitals in Zimbabwe have coped with 20 turbulent years, and with Paul Fenton recalls the life and contribution of the late and much loved Ruth Hutchinson.

Nick Boyd, consultant paediatric anaesthetist talks about the particular challenges of anaesthetising children where resources are limited

A look back at where we've been with the podcast since it started in June, and where we're heading in the new year.

Thanks to our listeners, and maybe a way to express your own thanks.

Jeanne tells us about working with the Red Cross, MSF and PTC, and about the possibilities for improvising n both clinical work and teaching.

Lucy interviews Dr Hilary Edgcombe about her route into global medicine and anaesthesia

Wayne Morris, President-elect of WFSA, talks about the challenges of supporting anaesthetists in some of the most isolated places on earth.

Lucy Guile reviews an important new book from OUP, and Mike concludes his interview with Robert Neighbour

Robert Neighbour explains why sending western anaesthetic equipment overseas may cause more problems than it solves

Charles Clayton tells us about how PTC courses work, and how you could get involved.

Charles Clayton, CEO of the Primary Trauma Care Foundation, talks to Mike Dobson about the needs of patients with severe injuries in LMIC's

Michelle White tells us of some of the clinical challenges you might meet as a Mercy Ships anaesthetist working in Africa.

Dr Michelle White in conversation about the work of Mercy Ships in Africa

Paul Fenton recounts the convolutions of aid and development planning and finance. You'll enjoy it more than you expect...

Paul Fenton recounts from his memoirs how Presidential hypoxaemia was turned into anaesthetic opportunity.

Caesarean section is the commonest major operation in the world, but patients, indications and infrastructure in LMICs should make us think whether our western approach to anaesthesia there is the right one.

In his second interview, Ray Towey explains the strategy and practicalities of building up the sort of ICU that can make a huge difference to critically ill people.

In the first of two interviews with Ray Towey, he talks about the clinical side of rural intensive care. Who are the patient who can most benefit? Does it have to cost a fortune? Join us to find out.

This is an area where our practice depends on the laboratory and critical infrastructure as well as clinical acumen. Can you manage with two out of three ? Or maybe just one....

It's a scary thought for most anaesthetists that you might have to fix your own equipment. In this podcast I explain how to go about it. It's really not harder than bicycle maintenance!

Getting the right equipment, keeping it in good shape, and getting trained technical help are vital parts of infrastructure. Tim and Mike discuss the work of Medaid in support.

Ernest Nshom concludes the account of his training and brings us up to date.

In an interview with Mike Dobson, Ernest Nshom tells us how a boy born in a village in Cameroon started on the path to becoming a specialist anaesthetist

Continuing the interview with Ben Gupta about his MSF experiences, this time focusing on anaesthetic techniques and drugs.

Ben Gupta, consultant anaesthetist in Bristol, reflects on life as a member of a medical team in two very different places - rural Papua New Guinea, and treating victims of the Syrian war in a border hospital in Jordan.

How to operate, troubleshoot and look after an oxygen concentrator, and use your precious oxygen in the most effective and economical way

Why is there a shortage of oxygen in so many countries? What are the possible technical solutions

In our first episode, we analyse the things that make anaesthesia different in countries with limited resources- the world bank lists 143 of them. The PAKD compass will help you find your way.