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The history of Tasmanian Institute of Critical Care
Together with friends from around the Globe, Tasmanian Institute of Critical Care has celebrated its third birthday. The Institute was founded in February 1998. The main objective of the Institute has remained unchanged: to deliver high quality postgraduate education and research in Critical Care Medicine to rural Tasmania.
The first International Conference "Critical Care Controversies" has been as controversial as it sounds. For the first time in the history of rural Tasmania a truly International Medical Meeting in Critical Care was launched in Devonport in November 1998. It attracted over 150 people from around the World. The most outstanding speakers from overseas and around Australia delivered the most sophisticated lectures on the range of controversial clinical, economical, nursing and ethical issues faced in critical care. For three days the participants from nine nations had a unique opportunity of close interaction with gurus of intensive care and critical care anaesthesia. A busy trade exhibition allowed 18 Companies to display and discuss their latest products. It attracted as much attention of the participants as the Conference itself.
The second Conference organized by the Tasmanian Institute of Critical Care took place in Latrobe, Tasmania in December 2000. It was entitled "Ischaemic Heart Disease from A to Z" and indeed it has delivered accordingly. A group of the most outstanding professionals from Melbourne has delivered brilliant lectures on prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic coronary insufficiency. The pathway of the patients from the general practitioner, to the interventional cardiologist, to the cardiac anaesthetist, to cardiac surgeon and back to the general practitioner has been followed by interactive session with the participants.
Since its foundation, Tasmanian Institute of Critical Care has been involved in ongoing research in Critical Care Medicine. The main area of interest remained unchanged throughout the years: applications of Transoesophageal Echocardiography in Critical Care Anaeasthesia and Intensive Care. Diastolic myocardial dysfunction and utilization of tissue velocity imaging for the diagnosis and monitoring of global and regional diastolic abnormalities is an area of current priority. Several papers have been delivered to the meetings overseas and within Australia and a successful PhD in Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pathophysiology was obtained as a result of the Institute's activities.
International Conference "Critical Care Controversies 2002" has been organized and conducted by the Tasmanian Institute of Critical Care on November 1-3, 2002. Delegates from all Australian States and Territories as well as guests from 10 countries attended the Conference. Hon Kay Patterson, Australian Minister for Health and Ageing opened the Meeting. Special Awards were delivered during the opening. Prof Douglas Coursin (USA) was awarded Honorary Professorship for his major contribution to the International Postgraduate Education in Critical care Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine. Prof Tony Bell (Tasmania), Prof Luciano Gattinoni (Italy), Mr Neil Beer (Tasmania) also received special awards from Hon Kay Patterson. The meeting went for 3 days. Satisfaction survey was conducted among the participants. 98% indicated that they would like to come back again. Scientific content of the meeting was rated at 1.12 (1-excellent, 2- good
5-poor).
The first Tasmanian Training Course in Transoesophageal Echocardiography was conducted on November 4-6, 2002. The Course was opened by Dr Richard Willis, President of ANZCA. It happened to be the biggest to date TOE Course in Australia. The participants displayed great interest, requesting extra teaching sessions. Satisfaction survey revealed 92% of the participants would like to attend such course in the future again. The scientific content of the course was rated at 1.22 (1-excellent, 2-good
5- poor).
Tasmanian Institute of Critical Care and Human Cardiovascular Research Laboratory University of Melbourne organized on February 22, 2003 "A Master class with Terry Rafferty - Focus on Mitral Valve and Diastolic Function". One-day conference was held with great success at the University of Melbourne.
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