Professional Qualifications
Aidan completed a Bachelor of paramedic practice at the University of Tasmania in Sydney, followed by a BSc Hons looking at ultrasound guided IV cannulation by paramedics; comparing short and long axis techniques.
Aidan was then the first paramedic in Australia to do a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound with specialism in EM at CQ University. After that he spent a year in London as a visiting researcher and lecturer at Kingston University and St Georges University. He also took up the role of Course Director for the PoCUS UK and EU with the Prehospital Care Consultancy Ltd. Now, back home in Sydney, Aidan is a medical student, working casually as a paramedic and lecturer, and freelancing as a POCUS educator.
Why EMUGs?
Aidan is a passionate believer in POCUS, particularly within EM and out of hospital care.
What drives your POCUS passion?
Once you’ve seen the impact POCUS can have, it’s hard to go back.
The first ultrasound Aidan ever did was as a volunteer simulated patient for Sydney’s Air Ambulance retrieval courses where he scanned himself after one of the formal lessons. He became fascinated and ended up learning more. The learning went from informal to formal, the fascination grew and he ended up travelling to exciting places to teach POCUS around the world, and, in a full circle, back home in Australia.
Favourite travel destination…
As yet undecided. The beauty of travel is that everywhere you go is different and doesn’t have to be compared. Too many favourite countries depending on when you ask. Nepal, India, Thailand, Austria, Ireland, and Scotland are definitely up there though
Who are you outside of work?
Aidan was a classically trainer baritone in a previous life and finds himself revisiting singing on rare occasions. He is currently enjoying being a new student to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Is sleeping a hobby?
What is your vision for EMUGs?
POCUS needs to become accessible, self regulating, and well governed and audited. Hopefully EMUGs are able to agitate for these changes.
What progress have you seen with regard to POCUS? What would you like to see?
POCUS has come a long way since I first started learning in 2012. The evidence base has exploded, and the technology has become ever more accessible.
‘The POCUS person’ is now a recognised asset in most departments. We need to shift from it being a special skill, to a core skill and standard of care where evidence for benefit exists, of course.
A message from Aidan for those new to POCUS...
Safe point of care ultrasonography requires that one can articulate the pretest probability which justifies the scan, and the positive and negative likelihood ratios of that specific POCUS exam performed. POCUS without a basic understanding of Bayesian clinical decision making is dangerous.
I uses a mental Fagan nomogram every single time I perform a scan.
I believe that you will likely never harm a patient with POCUS if you practice with an honest Bayesian framework.
Safe Scanning y’all.