We (V) Sync @ ASPA with Dr Josephine Tan

V sync @ ASPA with Dr Jo: I love the energy that that Viva and Rushali has and I and I think this high energy rubs off on me as well. And rock climbing has several aspects that are very similar to pediatric anesthesia. I think it's important to enjoy food. There's a vast variety of cuisines in Asia and everything is so yummy and tasty. Yes! Such an exciting event today again, Veba. It's we sink at asfpa. Hi Rushali, how are you? I remember I'm good and isn't it a long time that we've met since? I know. Alright, so and let me put it to our audience. Who's our today's guest? Today's guest is Josephine Tan. We all very fondly call her Joe. Welcome Joe to VSyncataspa. Hello everybody. Thank you very much for having me today. So, Joe. You know what intrigued me the most about what you told us is you've said that your entry into pediatric anesthesia was almost opportunistic. Take us back in time and tell us all about it, Joe. I never had the intention that I would become a pediatric anesthetist when I joined the anesthesia training. but when I finished my exams. I was given the opportunity to join Pediatric Anesthesia by Prof. Agnes. And and it was a field that I had little experience in during my training days and I thought I'll just give it a shot. And being in the department I enjoyed the work. I enjoyed seeing the children recover and the smile on their face when they come out from surgery pain free. And it's heartwarming to see the parents, the nurses, the surgeons and the doctors come together and the passion that they have looking after these tiny patients and and the friendship that we have developed in the department, a small little department, but we are strong together. And and before you know it, I've been in this pediatric anesthesia for thirty years. Fantastic. Yes. Yes. For our audience to know, Jo works in KK Children Hospital, Singapore. She's also been the past president of us. And right now heading the education committee. Wow, going strong, Joe. But she's put a very simple thought here. What she loved was children getting up, smiling in the post operative period has Actually propelled her as a pediatric anesthesiologist. Sure. So while we were talking earlier, we had this conversation about pediatric surgeons being the sweetest surgeons on earth, isn't it, Dr. Joe? Yes, I totally agree with that. Coming from a mainly adult practice during my training days, pediatric surgeons are very sweet, soft-spoken people who will speak with you and will actually do a huddle before surgery to to kind of share with you what they are going to do. so I think that is very different from an adult scenario, where people are more quick tempered. So I think working with pediatric surgeons have taught me to be patient with not just towards our patients, as well as towards our fellow colleagues. have a conversation about the surgery. what it involves, what to expect. I think all these are very important points when we look after a child. Marvelous. Joe, tell us about ASPA. What does ASPA mean to you? You have been here for very long time in different positions. So that tell us about your thoughts. So when I was junior and I joined the Pediatric Anesthesia Department, Prof. Agnes gave me that opportunity and she has taught me and guided me through my journey as a pediatric anesthesiologist. And when she and a group of senior people from Asia came together and formed the society in 2000. And I was introduced to pediatric initiatives from Asia and we shared our thoughts, we shared our experiences, and that was a wonderful opportunity that opened the door for better communication among like-minded people who cared a lot about their patients. So and not only learning through experience and communication, we also got together as friends and we also visited each other and experienced each other's culture and as well as cuisines. Yes. So were there any moments in your career where you really thought that you met so many doctors across Asia and you felt that yeah, these are my people. Yeah, definitely, because I mean We have always looked up to the Western side who have written more papers, they have given more talks. I think the Asian culture, the Asian people, we tend to be a bit conservative. Yeah. And perhaps may not speak up as much as we should. But but I think we are getting there and I think it's important to hear the Asian voice because our cultures are different, our patients are different. And I think it's important that we learn to manage our patients the way they should be managed, according to culture as well as disease patterns that are more prominent in Asia. Sure. Sure. Because we're so diverse and unique still. Dr. Joe, you've attended like almost all ASPA conferences possibly. And you've also been the president of ASPA. For our young pediatric anesthesiologist, how would you portray ASPA as a place to grow together? Aspa is close to my heart because I was in it since it started. we started off very small. We wanted meetings perhaps every two or three years, but everybody was so enthusiastic that it has now become a yearly party for learning as well as meeting up with new and old friends. So I think that's fantastic, the enthusiasm. And we we we came together to decide what were the needs of our Asian countries and we came up with workshops like the PPLS, which has become very successful. And so our latest program that Rushali has been pushing would be like the regional anesthesia, which is something that she's very strong at as well as focus. So th we continue to evolve, to to develop what we see to address the needs in the Asian countries. So and I think we have gone a long way. And I think many people have benefited from what Aspa has done. Yeah, thank you. Thank you for letting our young audience know that Aspa is a place where we can learn new things, share our experiences, grow together, make new friends, enjoy good food, like you said earlier. Yes. I think they should keep coming to Aspi regularly. Yeah. So I think the new people, the younger people, we certainly want to hear from you and certainly want to contribute to your growth. It would be nice for younger people to come on board and and share your new ideas. Wonderful, very humble. And I'm sure they have they are listening and they have made a lot. I have one more question for Dr. Joe, and that is one thing about pediatric anesthesia in Asia over the next decade that you would want to change. What would that be? I think perhaps there's a lot of interesting work that is happening in Asia, but perhaps we need to talk about it more and perhaps more research. I think the last project by ASMA, the Peach in Asia, looking at critical incidents, is a good example. And I think we should strive forward that we come together, collect our data together. so I would really love to see more research coming out of Asia. Thank you. I completely agree. More collaborative research from the Asian side is important and That'll directly help us improve care for our own children. I know pocus is your passion, Joe. Tell us more. Can you have any my pocus moments as it were, which really pushed you towards this topic? there's a Chinese saying to say that lao or shit tao lao. Meaning as even as you grow older, you continue to learn and you don't stop learning. and when ultrasound became very popular. I had to learn from my juniors because you know it was something very useful. And it's like, you know, going around blind and now I have glasses and I can see better. So I I am a strong advocate of focus because it it complements the traditional ways of doing things like having a stethoscope on the chest. So so pick up the ultrasound today and start. practicing because it is only if you start practicing that you get better. Sure. And what impacted me in all that you said was you went to your juniors to learn. Who says this these days? I mean, thank you Joe for being what you are. That's that's a that's a fantastic attitude. It's like, yes, always keep learning. I agree too. She's a very, very humble person. Dr Jo For someone who's wanting to start learning POCUS, what would you suggest as the initial pocus skills that someone should learn? I think among all the different POCUS the systems, POCUS airway and POCUS lung are very important aspects. And also vascular excess. It has saved me many, many times. I think it really saves a lot of time. and you get your arterial lime and your venous excess up in no time. Yes. It is the gold standard for the vascular axis. And I think that should definitely be the first skill to learn. And then if you've managed to learn Padek focus, I think you're moving towards excellence. I agree, Dr. Chubb. Thank you. And I think everybody needs to start somewhere. If you have somebody to teach you, that's fine. If not, go onto the internet. There are many, many instruction videos there. I think they are great learning opportunities. Let me tell the audience that Jo conducts her own workshops. And Joe inspires other faculties to come over. She gets faculties on her own financial support to come and teach. That is the thought process and that is the passion she pours in Aspar and the teaching around. Yes. So now Joe, take me towards rock climbing in food. Tell me all about it. I'm a foodie. I think a lot of anesthetists are foodies. I think it's important to enjoy food. There's a vast variety of cuisines in Asia and everything is so yummy and tasty. Yes. So, you know, it gives it me an opportunity during ASPA meetings which is held in different countries in Asia every year. It gives me an opportunity to try the best in during these ASPA escapes. I remember her researching really well whenever she comes for a conference. About the eating joints that are around the venue. And she'll say, you know, we need to go here, we need to go there. So Yeah. You're amazing, Dr. Chong. And rock climbing, from where has this come from? Rock climbing, I start I think it's a very good sport. And rock climbing has several aspects that are very similar to pediatric anesthesia. it requires precision. It requires planning. It requires anticipation of problems and and also a backup system. and it also requires you to have redundancy in your planning, like a plan A and a plan B. I also learned some important tips for my rock climbing, like having a clear mind, okay, knowing what to do in a crisis. So I think it complements both ways. Like I've learned things from pediatric anesthesia that will benefit my rock climbing. And I also learned things from rock climbing that would benefit my my work in pediatric anesthesia. So I think it is important for us to also have self-preservation to make sure that we take time to nourish our mind, nourish our body so that we can serve our patients better. Yeah. So I like this. Good food, exercise, a clear mind is the recipe for a perfect pediatric anesthesiologist. Definitely. Start coming towards the end of the podcast, Dr. Joe. I wanted you to say something for our young pediatric anesthesiologist, you know, somewhere in Asia, listening to this podcast and wondering where their journey might take them. What would you want to tell them? I think it's important to have passion. Passion for the work that we do and that will keep us going. It's like a fuel that will keep the engine running. we also have to respect our body, respect ourselves. So we need to keep the engine and the car in good condition as the years go by. And also, I guess, sharing. It is important for us to share our knowledge, share our skills, and also share the good food. yeah. Well I want something very simple from you. Describe Aspa in three words. That love. Wow Love. Love yourself, love your patience, Love each other. Love the team that you're working with, respect for each other as well as kindness. I think kindness for ourselves, for our patients, for for everybody. So I think it this not just applies to within your department, but it applies to our family in Aspa. Yeah. Be kind to each other, love each other. And I think when you have respect and and com and and passion, it it will be reflected in our work and as well as it will grow in strength as we hold hands together in Aspa. So I think it is only through Holding hands that we lift each other up as well. Not just in spirit, but also in our work. Joe, while talking to you, and I'm sure Veba feels it too. We we didn't know when the time flew across. We are at the end of our podcast and I might sound a little official, but we both are very thankful for your time and for being here. Thank you, Dr. Jo, for your time, for your kind words for our youngsters. Thank you so much for being here today with us. I love the energy that you know that Viva and Rushali has and I and I think this high energy rubs off on me as well. So it is this positive aura that we form, and you know, hopefully this aura will broaden and affect more people and continue to inspire the passion in more and more people. Yes, so now time to wind up. And by the way, have you registered for the next task in China, Shanghai? Was just about to and I'm going to do it right away once this podcast is over. Yeah. So go to our website, go to Aspas website and please do that. It would be a pleasure to see you all there. However, coming back to this podcast, the recording would be soon released and you will find it on all Aspa official channels, Aspa website, as per YouTube, Podcast, Apple Podcast, and Spotify. Vibha, have I missed any channels now? No, but I wanted to tell our listeners the Aspa website is ASPA two thousand as in the number dot com. So please visit Aspa website. Yes. And you will find a gold mine of information and knowledge and lectures and webinars there and you will see it as a vibrant place and two thousand is when Aspa was formed. Well then, bye for now. Thank you, Joe, once again. Thank you, Vibha once again. And bye. I enjoy this evening. Bye bye. Bye. Thank you.