Episode 7: Trauma Tales with Dr. Eileen Bulger

03/24/25 • 21 min

In this episode of The Cutting Edge, Dr. Jamie Coleman hosts Dr. Eileen Bulger, a past AAST President, to discuss the complexities of trauma surgery. They explore the importance of maintaining calm in chaotic situations, the dynamics of teamwork in the operating room, and the lessons learned from challenging cases. Dr. Bulger shares a poignant story about a young girl who was accidentally shot, highlighting the effectiveness of trauma systems and the collaborative effort required to save lives. The conversation emphasizes the significance of finding meaning in both positive and negative outcomes in the medical field.

Previous Episode

Episode 6: Tools of the Trade- Healthcare Economics

In this episode, Dr. Kristan Staudenmayer discusses the critical intersection of healthcare economics and trauma surgery. She emphasizes the need for surgeons to understand financial aspects to advocate effectively for their patients. The conversation explores the role of the Healthcare Economics Committee, the challenges posed by Relative value units (RVUs) in measuring surgical work, and the importance of building tools for advocacy in healthcare economics.

Takeaways

Surgeons often lack training in healthcare economics.
Understanding finance empowers better patient care.
RVUs do not accurately reflect the work of acute care surgeons.
Financial literacy is essential for effective advocacy.
Value in healthcare is a complex and multifaceted concept.
Billing practices need improvement among surgeons.
The workload of trauma surgeons is often invisible to others.
Advocacy tools are being developed for better communication with leadership.
Research is needed to address workforce issues in acute care surgery.

Next Episode

Episode 8: Tools of the Trade- Emergency Surgery Course

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Stassen discusses the Emergency Surgery Course, its history, target audience, and the interactive learning experience it offers. The course aims to provide a comprehensive background in emergency surgery for general surgeons, emphasizing the importance of timely and effective patient care. Dr. Stassen highlights the course's global reach, flexible structure, and the collaborative learning environment that enhances the educational experience for participants.