I’m Dr. Christine Whitten. I’m a practicing anesthesiologist dedicated for the past 3 decades to improving patient safety, one airway at a time. I’m very proud that my book, Anyone Can Intubate, is coming out in its 5th print edition and is also now available as an e-book, complete with video. My book, as well as my training videos on intubation and airway management, are used in training programs both nationally and internationally. The evolution of the computer has allowed me to share my knowledge by becoming a writer, director, producer, videographer, and graphic artist. It truly is a brave new world for education.
I graduated from Johns Hopkins medical school in 1979, then finished my internship, residency, and fellowships at the Naval Hospitals of Portsmouth, VA, and San Diego, CA. I served 12 years in the Navy, leaving with the final rank of Commander to join the staff at Kaiser Permanente, San Diego where I still practice.
Medicine has changed a lot since I finished my training. In fact, I was told during my first day of medical school that within the next 10 years, 50% of what we were about to be taught would be found wrong. We were also told that we’d only remember 25% of what we were about to learn. Our only hope, unless we continued to study, was that we would remember our 25% from the 50% that was still correct.
My goal with my books, videos, and articles as well as with this blog, is to help you continue to learn. My planned topics will include keeping your patients, and yourselves, safe while intubating and ventilating your patients; learning to use new equipment; avoiding and managing complications; anesthesia care; and doing volunteer work in the developing world. As time goes on, I hope that you will suggest topics and keep the discussion going. I look forward to continuing the conversation with you.