55 - Mervyn Singer - Career enjoyment, curiosity and a "can-do" attitude

Anyone who has heard UK intensivist Prof Mervyn Singer speak at an Intensive Care conference will no doubt enjoy listening to him speak on this episode of Mastering Intensive Care.

Mervyn Singer is Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London in the UK. He was born, bred, trained, and now works in London as an intensivist and a researcher whose career spans from basic mechanistic work through to translational investigations and multi-centre trials. He co-chaired the 'Sepsis-3' international definitions task force, is Editor-in-Chief of Intensive Care Medicine Experimental and Treasurer of the International Sepsis Forum. Mervyn has published widely in a variety of journals and has authored or co-edited several textbooks including the Oxford Textbook of Critical Care. He was the first UK intensivist to be awarded Senior Investigator status by the UK National Institute for Health Research, and to be invited to give plenary lectures at the European and US Intensive Care Congresses.

In this conversation Mervyn is full of his usual enthusiasm as we covered many important topics including:

• How he became an intensivist
• What he's observed about the physiological basis of intensive care
• The clinical ward round process he follows
• The scheme in his ICU to allow patients to die at home
• How he leads an end of life conversation
• The benefits to having an ICU-based psychologist
• How institutions might better care for their junior staff
• How much he enjoys his career
• His "can do" attitude
• How his passion for sport has helped him
• His regular sleep pattern
• The value he receives from doing body stretching
• His use of email and social media
• Mentoring younger trainees
• Which of his research makes him most proud
• His tips for giving a good lecture
• Some excellent advice to conclude our conversation

I invite you to listen in to my conversation with Mervyn Singer.

Andrew Davies

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About the Mastering Intensive Care podcast: The podcast is aimed to inspire and empower you to bring your best self to the intensive care unit, through conversations with thought-provoking guests. The hope is you'll glean insights to move you closer towards being the best and most human healthcare professionals you can be, so you can make the most valuable contribution to your patient's lives.

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Links related to Mervyn Singer

Prof Mervyn Singer

Mervyn Singer brief CV

Links to other resources (in order of mentioning)

David Bennett's Obituary (co-authored by Mervyn Singer)

Edith Piaf

The Cricket "Ashes"

New Normal Project podcast

Links related to Mastering Intensive Care podcast

Mastering Intensive Care podcast - Episode 51 - A Recap of 2019

Mastering Intensive Care podcast - Episode 52 with Martin Bromiley

Mastering Intensive Care podcast - Episode 53 with Paul Wischmeyer

Mastering Intensive Care podcast - Episode 54 with Deborah Cook

Mastering Intensive Care podcast

Mastering Intensive Care page on Facebook

Mastering Intensive Care at Life In The Fast Lane

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Audio Producer Chris Burke

Burke Sound & Media