The Medicine Club: Recent Episodes
Samir Grover
The Medicine Club is a podcast about medicine, innovation, and culture based in Toronto, Canada, hosted by Drs. Samir Grover (@Samir_Grover) and Kashif Pirzada (@KashPrime). Targeted toward both health professionals and the general public. Early episodes are focused toward COVID-19. Episodes released ad hoc.
In this episode, Kashif and Samir discuss and then present the Great Mask Debate: Should Universal Masking be mandated for all Canadians. Dr. Joe Vipond (@jvipondmd) vs. Dr. Ken Milne (@TheSGEM). Moderating the debate: Dr. Pirzada (@KashPrime) and Dr. Jen Kwan (@jkwanmd), family physician and Ontario COVID-19 data expert.
In this episode, renowned clinical immunologist Dr. Jason Lee @lee_jasonk speaks to Samir and Kashif about the current status of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, monoclonal antibody therapy, convalescent plasma, and the role of serology in reopening society. tw: @TheMedClubTO
In this episode, Kashif and Samir are joined by Dr. Abdu Sharkawy, faculty in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Toronto. Dr. Sharkawy also is a media voice regarding COVID-19 care in Canada, appearing on national news media to inform the people. They discuss emerging treatments for COVID and who to treat. Abdu addresses non-COVID care, and reminisces about his unanticipated emergence as an media personality. On Twitter: @TheMedClubTO @SharkawyMD @KashPrime @Samir_Grover.
In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Kwan, a family physician who has taken the major role in charting Ontario's COVID-19 burden, joins Kashif and Samir in the studio to discuss data models, data transparency, testing strategies and what the future holds in a post-surge world.
In the fourth episode of The Medicine Club, Kashif and Samir discuss a new theory linking endothelial dysfunction to COVID-19 phenotypes; how contact tracing based on technology will win out; should all HCWs be tested for COVID-19, and are dogs or ferrets more susceptible to acquiring COVID-19 (Spoiler Alert: John Kimble wouldn't be pleased).
In this episode, Samir and Kashif discuss more on the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) personal protective equipment and how policy may put health care workers at risk; (2) local efforts in Ontario regarding emergency equipment acquisition; (3) open data and open designs for equipment; (4) masks for all and why this may be the winning strategy for public health; and (5) health resource allocation to come.
In the second episode of the Medicine Club, Kashif and Samir discuss the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) Personal Protective Equipment and lessons learned from SARS, Ebola and COVID-19 in Italy; (2) how to estimate ventilator needs and estimates that are being done for Toronto and Ontario, including a discussion of ventilator triage; and (3) putative therapies for COVID-19. Links to references mentioned are @TheMedClubTO on Twitter.
In this episode, Samir and Kashif discuss the current state of COVID-19, drawing from personal experience from SARS, explaining Social Distancing, and giving practical recommendations to front-line physicians and other health care workers.