Trainees
I work with residents and fellows on every clinical rotation. While I have the years of experience, they are dedicated learners who read and are taught elsewhere more than I could possibly keep up with on my own. I learn every single day on rounds.
University of Colorado Pulmonary/Critical Care group
The group at the University is quite different from that at the VA. Because of the nature of our two patient populations, we have subspecialists at the U that we don’t have or need at the VA. Critical care at the University is much more intense and nuanced, and we have a larger group of intensivists with a broader array of skill sets.
Nurses and respiratory therapists
We work closely together, but we approach patient care from vastly different backgrounds and clinical foci. By understanding how we each look at the patient differently, we understand more about each other’s practice, which allows us to collaborate more efficiently and effectively.
Medical Education Working Group
This is a group of medical educators at the University of Colorado, mostly with pulmonary and critical care training or interests. We meet monthly to discuss ongoing individual education projects and to plan group initiatives.
Critical care medicine is physiology at the extreme.
When you stop learning in medicine, you should probably just stop practicing. I have an amazing network of colleagues that keeps me honest and up to date.
These are their stories.
VA Pulmonary/Critical Care group
The pulmonary and critical care section at the VA is a group of physicians with diverse clinical interests. Through journal clubs, ICU ultrasound rounds, and informal consultations, I have a wealth of learning resources at hand. Further, I am able to learn and participate in advanced bronchoscopy techniques, a learning opportunity not available to me at the University.
Other physician groups at the VA
Because of the nature of my practice at the VA, caring for both medical and surgical ICU patients, I am able to learn from providers in other specialties. Most notably, I work closely with cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, anesthesia, and general surgery. I am able to incorporate what I learn by caring for patients in these disciplines to my overall expertise in critical care medicine.
VA simulation groups
I work closely with educators at both the National Simulation Center and our local simulation center. I am still relatively new to the simulation world, and these experienced professionals have so much to teach. In turn, I am actively recruiting and teaching new colleagues to teach in our local center.
Jim Lavelle, MD 