iTune, You Tune, We Should All Tune in to SLU Podcast

read with great interest the article by Gareth S. Kantor, M.B., Ch.B., in the May 2006 NEWSLETTER about Podcasting (“Podcasting: Information How, When and Where You Want It”). The report is well-written and provides the reader with an excellent introduction to the world of podcasting. While many examples of medical podcasts were provided, no core anesthesiology podcasts were mentioned. I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed as the three anesthesiology podcasts that we offer from the anesthesia department at Saint Louis University were not mentioned.

We started podcasting in December 2005, and soon thereafter, we posted our “Anesthesiology Grand Rounds” and monthly “Chairman’s Talk” on iTunes podcast listings. I am proud to share with you that since our launch, we currently have more than 12 audio and video episodes with 400-500 downloads monthly and growing. The episodes offered focus on anesthesiology as well as critical care topics, and many include the slides along with the authors’ audio recording.

We are currently working on adding an option that will allow listeners to obtain continuing medical education credit, if they choose. The three podcasts could be accessed free of charge in two ways. Through the Apple’s iTunes music store, search the podcast section for “Anesthesia” or “Saint Louis University” to get a list of podcasts to which anyone can listen and/or subscribe. The second option is to point your Web browser to <www.anesthesiapodcast.com>. The listener may choose to listen to the episode inside his/her Web browser or subscribe to the podcast by clicking on the subscribe button.

For further information, see:

• iTunes podcast direct links to chairman’s talk: <phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=129638835>.

• Anesthesiology grand rounds: <phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=147241645>.

• Anesthesiology lectures: <phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=111942365>.

Nahel N. Saied M.B., Ch.B.
St. Louis, Missouri

Each NEWSLETTER Better Than the Last

he June issue of the NEWSLETTER arrived today. I am writing to thank you for the layout and for the clarity of the illustrations in my article about Morton’s monument. I also thought that your presentation of the piece by Rafael Ortega, M.D., about the Ether Monument was most effective.

I would also like to tell you how much the NEWSLETTER means to people like me, retired from the clinical practice of anesthesiology. Each issue is better than the last. The presentation, layout and graphics make for interesting and stimulating reading — thanks to Dr. Bacon and all your staff.

Gerald L. Zeitlin, M.D.
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

NEWSLETTER Author Photos Are Blasts From the Past

s a faithful reader of the ASA NEWSLETTER, I trust in the accuracy and credibility of the subject matter presented by your authors. Yet when it comes to the author’s picture, my trust in your publication is betrayed. I am fortunate to know many of these individuals, and their likeness is outdated by five, 10 and, at times, 15 years. If you believe it is important to show their pictures, request a current one, which isn’t too much trouble in the age of the digital camera. Otherwise leave the picture out. That way we know that all of the information we are getting, pictorial and otherwise, is credible. (Perhaps asking the author for commentary relevant to the year the picture was taken would be an interesting addition.)

Frank J. Overdyk, M.D.
Charleston, South Carolina

Editor’s Note: The NEWSLETTER staff makes every effort to procure updated photos from authors and, in fact, requests up-to-date photos each month when proofs are sent to respective authors for their review. However, many people feel more comfortable with a favorite picture that well may be out of date. In the end, it is the author's decision as to which picture is published.

— D.R.B.