The Wilderness Medic Podcast

In this episode I am joined by Dr Simon Latham, direct from his clinic on board one of the Mercy Ships boats which is docked in Freetown Sierra Leone. We discuss how he has carved this unique career path and how Mercy Ships work collaboratively with local governments to provide life changing surgery and sustainable healthcare outcomes. Find out more: www.mercyships.org.uk

In today's episode I am joined by Donna Finnis, an expedition medic with a passion for adventure and medical care provision in remote and challenging environments. She has supported expeditions from the dizzy heights of Kilimanjaro, to the frozen northwest of Mongolia, which is what we are discussing today! When she's not out on expedition, Donna can be found working frontline as a paramedic, teaching medicine in remote environments, volunteering her time as a coastguard.

Season 3 Episode 7: David Tamale-Sali Medic SOS and Shame in Medicine In this episode I am joined by David Tamale-Sali where we discuss shame within medicine and how this lead him to develop his Medic SOS project. In the spring of 2003, David found himself kicked out of Medical School at the start of resitting his third year. He spent the next two decades off the beaten path, working in various jobs and even returned to medical school, but he kept encountering distressed and frustrated Medics from around the world . After encouraging a Doctor in distress on Facebook, he felt inspired to put together a book that gathers encouragement, insights, and strategies for overcoming burnout from over 100 doctors, to raise money for: Doctors in Distress, You Okay Doc? The Lorna Breen Foundation, Physicians Anonymous and Practitioner Health. Medic SOS E-book https://www.okaydoctor.net/

In this latest episode I am joined by Dr Sophie Redlin who is a GP, expedition doctor and anthropologist. We explore the topic of moral injury and discuss the moral injury partnership that she has co-founded. Find out more: https://www.churchillfellowship.org/news-views/blogs/moral-injury-and-the-current-crisis-in-healthcare/

Incivility has been shown to reduce team functioning, clinical decision making and patient outcomes. In this latest episode I am joined by Dr Chris Turner, an emergency medicine consultant, and the founder of "Civility Saves Lives," to discuss the importance of civility and how this can help us be better clinicians, leaders and people, whether in the hospital, community or whilst out on an expedition. Links from this episode www.civilitysaveslives.com www.learningfromexcellence.com

Season 3: Episode 4 Jacob Val Myers: Youngest to the Pole Project In this latest episode, I chat with Jacob "Val" Myers, an outdoor professional from Appalachia who is attempting to be the youngest person in human history to ski solo and unsupported to the Geographic South Pole! We met out in the Canadian Yukon, whilst he was participating in the Montane Yukon Artic Ultra race, and we chat about this and some of his other adventures, as well as how to prepare for an unsupported trek to the South Pole. You do not want to miss this one... https://www.valhallahikes.com/ @youngesttopoleproject

In today's episode I am joined by Dr Matt Lee, the head of sustainability for the Doctors Association UK. We chat about the climate crisis- investigating what exactly this means, why we should be worried but not "doomists" and what we can do to help make positive change. Listen to find out more... Sign the letter to Steve Barclay: ⁠https://www.zerohour.uk/health-letter/⁠ Links from the episode How green is your bank: https://bank.green/ Doctors Association UK: https://www.dauk.org/

Season 3 Episode 2: Kevin Grange- Managing a Mass Casualty Incident in the Wilderness In today's episode Kevin Grange returns to the podcast to discuss the management of MCI's in the wilderness, using a case study he was involved with, in which multiple hot air balloons crashed in the national park where he works. We also discuss some of the latest literature on defining and managing MCI's and explore the importance of training and debriefing. Links for this episode: Evidence-based principles of time, triage and treatment: Refining the initial medical response to massive casualty incidents https://www.kevingrange.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kevin.m.grange/

Join me as I chat to Luke Stevens, a Specialist Neuro and Critical Care Physiotherapist working in the Northeast of England, to find out how he has developed a career in global health. Find out about his work out in Gaza, his role with the Faculty of Remote, Rural and Humanitarian Healthcare and how you can follow in his footsteps! Some of the links from this episode: Twitter @LukeStevens_93 Insta @justpassingthrough_93 Adapt: Physiotherapists for Global Health Adapt twitter: @ADAPT_CSP Faculty of Remote and Rural Healthcare: Introduction to Humanitarian Healthcare Online Course

In this latest episode I am joined by Dr Matt Creed, a Consultant in Anaesthetics, Major Trauma and Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine based in Cardiff. Matt has been active in pre-hospital care for over a decade, having worked with a number of different services in both England and Wales. In this episode we discuss how to get involved in pre-hospital care, the history of the BASICS scheme and some of the latest PHEM research, exploring how it can be applied in wilderness and austere settings. Links from the episode: https://www.basics.org.uk/ https://www.medservewales.org/ Diploma in Immediate Care References: Resuscitation with blood products in patients with trauma-related haemorrhagic shock receiving prehospital care (RePHILL): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled,phase 3 trial; Crombie, Nicholas et al; The Lancet Haematology, Volume 9, Issue 4, e250 - e261. Pharmacokinetics of intramuscular tranexamic acid in bleeding trauma patients: a clinical trial; Grassin-Delyle, Stanislas et al; British Journal of Anaesthesia, Volume 126, Issue 1, 201 - 209

In Episode 8, I am joined by Dr Christy Hehir, an environmental psychologist, conservationist, polar alien hunter and lecturer within the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Surrey. We discuss the delicate balance between tourism, our psychology and the environment, which could not be more relevant given the climate emergency that we face currently. Christy is one of a few polar tourism researchers with experience at both poles having travelled to Antarctica with Students on Ice and subsequently to Svalbard on an expedition by the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). Listen to find out more...

In this latest episode I am joined by Negussie Beyene from the charity APOPO, which trains rats and dogs to detect TB, landmines and more. We discuss some of the initiatives that APOPO have started and I learn what a Giant Pouched Rat's favourite treat is (Spoiler alert- it is not cheese!) Around 60 countries are still contaminated with hidden landmines and other explosive remnants of war, that cause tragic accidents and hamper communities from developing their productive land. Meanwhile, slow and inaccurate detection methods make tuberculosis the world's most deadly infectious disease. 10 million new people contract TB every year, 3 million go undiagnosed, and 1.8 million die from the disease. APOPO show us how we can work together with animals to find novel solutions that can help address these issues... Links: https://www.apopo.org/

Join me as I chat to Dr Klara Weaver, who is the overwintering Doctor for Winter 2021 at Rothera Research base. She will spend a total of 18 months down south supporting field science and logistics for the British Antarctic Survey! We discuss what her role involves, how she prepared for it and her advice on how to get involved... Prior to her time in Antarctica, Klara is a keen mountaineer, having bagged first ascents in Kyrgyzstan and time at altitude across Europe. She has also undertaken medical expeditions to Panama, Nepal and spent time with the search and rescue teams in Iceland. In her spare time she prefers to be in the mountains, but has also recently taken up crochet… Instagram: @drweaverexplores

In Episode 5 I chat with Kevin Grange a paramedic and firefighter, who has worked in Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks, and is now based in Wyoming. We discuss his role, experiences and journey as well as his awesome book "Wild Rescues" which you can purchase through the links below. Links from this Episode Find out more and order "Wild Rescues" from www.kevingrange.com or from Amazon Find out more about the WEM Expo 2021 that we discussed on this episode: click here

Join me as I chat with Dr Marcus Stevens, a GP trainee in Bath, about some of his most exciting trips so far in his career. Marcus has spent time providing medical care to communities in the Simien Mountains, worked as a doctor in the gold mines of Mali with Critical Care International, and incredibly ended up as the medic at the world's highest dinner party at 7050m above sea level. Listen to find out more.... Links from this Episode: Simien Mountains Mobile Medical Service Critical Care International Majesty and Misery: Dinner on the North Col

Season 2 Episode 3: Mountain Rescue with Jamie Pattison In today's episode I talk to Jamie Pattison, the deputy leader and medical officer of Northumberland Mountain Rescue Team, about his experiences and what drew him to start volunteering with mountain rescue over 10 years ago. We also discuss his work as a paramedic, the challenges that COVID has posed for mountain rescue, and reflect on the importance of psychological resilience when working in austere environments. Listen to find out more... You can follow Jamie or get in touch via his instagram @jcxplore or twitter @jcxplore Click here to find out more about getting involved with Mountain Rescue and here to discover World Extreme Medicine's expedition medicine courses that we both teach on.

In this latest episode I am joined by Dr Shawna Pandya, physician, astronaut-candidate and aquanaut, to talk about space medicine, the recent mars landing, the future of commercial space flight and much more... Find out more about what Dr Pandya gets up to by following her on social media: @shawnapandya (Instagram and Twitter) or visit shawnapandya.com Some links from the episode: International Institute of Astronautical Sciences Space Medicine Group and Project PoSSUM International Astronautical Congress Aerospace Medicine Association Association of Spaceflight Professionals Some Papers for those who want to know more: Space Medicine in the Era of Civilian Spaceflight, NEJM Red Risks for a Journey to the Red Planet, Nature An Overview of Space Medicine, British Journal of Anesthesia

Episode 1: Dive Medicine with Dr Megan Evans Welcome to Season 2: in this first episode I am joined by Dr Megan Evans to discuss her work with the DDRC as a dive medic. We discuss common diving-related medical conditions, what you need to know as an expedition medic working on a diving trip, and the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat disease... Here are some links to the courses discussed in the episode: DDRC Course RCS Edinburgh Modules If you have enjoyed this episode- please subscribe for more content or check out the previous 10 episodes in season 1!

Episode 10: OneMedicine in 2020 with the Humanimal Trust Join me as I talk to Dr Ben Marshall and Professor Roberto La Ragione about the importance of OneMedicine in 2020! We talk COVID-19 and zoonotic diseases, the growing threat of antibiotic resistance and how human and animal medicine can collaborate moving into a new decade of scientific discovery. Find out more by visiting: https://www.humanimaltrust.org.uk/

Episode 9: Polar Medicine and Hypothermia with Dr Naomi Dodds In Episode 9 I am joined by Dr Naomi Dodds, an anaesthetics trainee and expedition medic, who is also heavily involved in mountain rescue and outdoor instructing up in Scotland. In this episode we chat about her experiences in cold and polar regions, the management of hypothermia and the risks closer to home in Scotland. Listen to find out more, and don't forget to subscribe!

UPDATE: - Since recording this episode, you will probably be aware that sadly Moria camp has burnt down. - The camp residents have lost everything once again - Doctors like Lotte and Lizzie are having to work harder than ever to provide care for these vulnerable people Please visit https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/moriafirecrisis2020 and donate what you can to help! Thank you. ________________________________________________________________________________________ In this latest episode I am joined by Dr Lotte Quereshi and Dr Lizzie Wilson, two junior doctors, who are volunteering with with Kitrinos Healthcare to provide vital healthcare for the population of Moria Refugee camp, on the island of Lesvos. The camp was initially set up to house 3,000 people and numbers have now reached over 15,000. Currently there have been no cases of COVID-19 within the camp, but how do you socially distance in such a crowded camp? what about W.A.S.H? what is it like to work there? Listen to find out more.... If you are keen to volunteer (both medical and non-medical roles are available) please click here or to make a donation click here

Episode 7: Ebola in Sierra Leone: Lessons for COVID 19 with Dr Mohamed Boie Jalloh In this latest episode, which is slightly longer than usual, I am joined by Dr Mohamed Boie Jalloh, who was a junior doctor, fresh out of medical school, when the Ebola outbreak arrived in Freetown in 2014. We discuss his experiences and how we can use these to improve our response to COVID-19 on both an individual and population level. There are some issues with pauses during this episode due to a latency problem that we were having whilst recording remotely, so I apologise about this in advance, however I hope you will be able to listen to this episode, which personally I feel is very inspiring and important for us all. As we mention towards the end of the episode, if you feel that you need support during this pandemic, please make sure that you see your GP or access some of the resources below: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/ https://www.bps.org.uk/coronavirus-resources https://www.supporttheworkers.org/

In this two part special I join Mr Huw Jones to find out more about the Virtual Doctors, a UK based telemedicine charity that provides remote medical advice to rural health centres in Zambia and Malawi. In part 2 we explore the current COVID 19 pandemic and the challenges faced in Zambia, looking at how the Virtual Doctors charity is aiming to support the Zambian Ministry of Health through WASH and developing an online education portal. If you missed part 1 you can listen to it here If you want to get involved with the charity and are a GMC registered doctor with CCT, or if you are approaching CCT and have passed the DTMH or have similar experience of working in low and middle income countries, please get in touch via the Wilderness Medic Facebook page Links www.virtualdoctors.org https://vdrforums.org.uk/covid19/

In this two part special I join Mr Huw Jones to find out more about the Virtual Doctors, a UK based telemedicine charity that provides remote medical advice to rural health centres in Zambia and Malawi. In part one we discuss the origins of the charity and look at how it has evolved from having 1 volunteer doctor, consulting via Sat phone in New York, to providing telemedical support to 140 rural health centres within Zambia, which cover a population of over 2 million people. If you want to get involved with the charity and are a GMC registered doctor with CCT, or if you are approaching CCT and have passed the DTMH or have similar experience of working in low and middle income countries, please get in touch via the Wilderness Medic Facebook page In part 2 we explore the current COVID 19 pandemic and the challenges faced in Zambia, looking at how the Virtual Doctors charity is aiming to support the Zambian Ministry of Health through WASH and developing an online education portal. Links www.virtualdoctors.org

Episode 4: Psychology in Extremis: I join Dr Nathan Smith to discuss how his research with NASA and teams in the Antarctic can be applied to the Covid 19 pandemic. In this episode we discuss the current Covid 19 pandemic, and how strategies used in extreme and austere environments can be used to help us prepare, cope and even thrive over the coming weeks and months. Dr Nathan Smith is a researcher interested in the psychology of performance and health in challenging and demanding settings. His work includes both theoretical and applied research on topics related to: individual differences including personality, values and motivation; stress, coping, emotion and mental health; and transition, adjustment and reintegration follow exposure to extreme settings. Links: Support the Workers: https://www.supporttheworkers.org/ British Psychological Society: https://www.bps.org.uk/responding-coronavirus Intensive Care Society: Wellbeing Resource Library: https://www.ics.ac.uk/ICS/ICS/Wellbeing.aspx In Extremis online: courses to support people living and working in challenging and demanding environments: https://inextremis.teachable.com/ DriFT: An evidence-based digital support system to train and optimise behaviour, performance and health in extreme environments: https://www.driftextremes.com/

In Episode 3 I catch up with Mr Burj Langdana, Wilderness and Expedition Dentist, to discuss all things dental, including the management of dental trauma, infections, jaw dislocations and much more. Plus find out about working in the Antarctic, what you should put in your expedition dental kit, and who wins in toothbrush vs toothpaste! Burj was previously a consultant dentist for the British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit and is a faculty member at World Extreme Medicine as well as being a tutor for the International Diploma in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He also teaches on the MSc in Extreme Medicine at Exeter University and is the resident expedition dentist for AdventureMedic . He is also excited to be contributing to the new edition of the Oxford Handbook of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine, which if you don't already know is an invaluable companion to have when out on expedition! Links from Episode 3 Wilderness Expedition Dentistry Homepage Video Library What to Put in Your Dental Kit Pre-expedition Screening

Join me for a chat with Dr Beth Moos, GP registrar, expedition medic and snake-bite researcher as we discuss how to manage snake bites in the field, her latest research and what not to do with half a chicken! If you have enjoyed listening, please check out episode 1 and subscribe for more episodes coming soon in 2020! Links from Episode 2 Beth's Project- Blog WHO Snake Bite Strategy David Warrell Bio WHO Snake Bite Management Guidelines Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and thanks for the support! Daniel x

Join me for a chat with Dr Lucy Obolensky, a multi-talented GP, A&E and HEMS doctor, who has worked on some fantastic projects, including being the medic for Planet Earth. Yes...She has even looked after our national treasure Sir David Attenborough! In this episode we discuss getting involved in expedition medicine, some of the challenges with working in remote environments and why you should always bring dessert to a dinner party! www.thewildernessmedic.com Links from Episode One: MSc Global Health at Plymouth University British Exploring Society Future Health Africa