Episode 32: “IDEA Lab—creative ways to promote scholastic endeavors in the contemporary health system”

In this special episode, RAPM Focus takes a break from its usual format of discussing specific research projects to discuss instead how research in health care is increasingly vital yet often hindered by escalating costs and time constraints. Editor-in-Chief Brian Sites, MD, discusses these challenges with Alexander (Xan) Abess, MD, and Jonathan Weed, MD.

Traditional, large scale, randomized controlled trials are resource intensive, making them challenging for clinicians to conduct. As a result, innovative approaches to engage in knowledge acquisition are becoming paramount. Creating a scholastic environment within the anesthesia department not only fosters a culture of continuous learning, but also becomes essential for attracting and retaining talent.

Dr. Abess is an anesthesiologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and assistant professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He has previously served as the vice chair of quality and safety, department of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, and is actively involved with the Multi-Center Perioperative Outcomes Group (MPOG). He is the founder and Director of IDEA Lab (Innovation, Development, and Entrepreneurship in Anesthesiology). Xan has a wide range of clinical experience (private practice, academic medicine, military medicine) and medical device development experience, having previously started his own medical device company. He understands well the challenges of medical innovation and truly enjoys helping others achieve their development goals while also attempting to improve the quality of health care delivery and simultaneously addressing our broader economic and workforce challenges.

Dr. Weed is a clinical assistant professor of anesthesiology at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He is a graduate of Tulane Medical School and completed his anesthesiology residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, followed by a fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in regional anesthesia. He spent several years as a residency program director at Tulane Medical Center before returning to Tulane Medical Center in 2021. His most recent interests relate to the use of the electronic health record to improve clinical workflow in research within the department.

*The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice, and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a health care practitioner’s judgment, patient care, or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Podcast and music produced by Dan Langa. Find us on X @RAPMOnline, Facebook @Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, and Instagram @RAPM_Online.