problem-based learning discussions (PBLDs)

Microaggressions can have a profound impact on the learning environment, team dynamics, and patient safety, especially in high-stakes settings like the operating room. In this interactive PBLD, participants will explore a real-world case involving an exchange between team members in an operation room scenario. Through facilitated discussion, attendees will examine how seemingly minor comments can reflect deeper systemic biases and undermine inclusivity. Participants will engage in scenario-based reflection to identify microaggressions, explore barriers to speaking up, and learn practical strategies for responding when possible. We will introduce key concepts such as unconscious bias, cultural humility, and allyship, with an emphasis on psychological safety in clinical spaces. This session will equip attendees with tools to navigate complex interpersonal moments with professionalism and empathy. Open to all anesthesiology team members, this session encourages dialogue and shared learning across experience levels and backgrounds. Whether you are a trainee, staff physician, or educator, this session will help you contribute to a safer, more inclusive perioperative environment.
 

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospital admissions in Canada, with over 100,000 Canadians diagnosed each year, and it has worse survival rates than some common cancers. Advances in perioperative care and an aging population mean that anesthesiologists will increasingly care for more older patients with multiple comorbidities who often live with frailty and undergo orthopedic surgeries. Understanding the perioperative implications of advanced HF, optimization, and integration of cardiac POCUS will be essential for improving patient outcomes.
 

Participants in the PBLD will work through the scenario of intraoperative cardiac arrest in the prone position, using current evidence and guidelines to generate a safe and coordinated plan.
 

This PBLD will explore considerations for the care of patients with implanted neurologic stimulator devices, including deep brain stimulators (DBS), vagal nerve stimulators (VNS) and spinal cord stimulators (SCS). The discussion will include a review of manufacturer recommendations and a practical approach for perioperative device management.
 

Cardiovascular disease is a relevant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Acomprehensive approach, initiated after a proper risk assessment and multidisciplinary decision-making, is crucial. The focus then shifts to anesthetic management, starting with thedetermination of physiological objectives that guide a tailored anesthetic plan. This plan extends beyond the anesthetic technique itself—such as spinal, CSE, or epidural—to include specific monitoring protocols and the selection of appropriate uterotonics. Additionally, the integration of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) offers a significant advantage, aiding in troubleshooting and guiding clinical management. We will take a practical, case-based approach, using real scenarios from our experience to facilitate an engaging discussion.
 

From the perspective of a community hospital, this PBLD explores the modern approach to life-threatening hemorrhage in children, emphasizing early recognition and timely, coordinated management. Key topics include the epidemiology of pediatric massive hemorrhage; current definitions and limitations in activation criteria; and how size, anatomy, and physiology create unique vulnerabilities compared with adults.