Human Factors with Helen Silver-MacMahon

Human Factors with Helen Silver-MacMahon

We close this series with Helen Silver-MacMahon, a veterinary nurse whose work spans far beyond the clinic floor. This conversation takes a thoughtful and sometimes challenging turn as we explore the role of human factors in veterinary practice and how evidence-based medicine doesn’t exist in a vacuum, but within real people, real teams, and real-world pressures. Helen brings clarity, humility, and depth to the discussion, unpacking how decision-making, culture, and systems influence outcomes just as much as clinical knowledge does. It’s an episode that invites us to look beyond protocols and ask better questions about how we work, why we work the way we do, and what truly supports safe, effective practice.    Links:https://www.rcvsknowledge.org/resource/quality-improvement-ebvm-and-contextualised-care/ [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rcvsknowledge.org%2Fresource%2Fquality-improvement-ebvm-and-contextualised-care%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdbarfield%40rvc.ac.uk%7C92cf8a5f383d4d84effb08deaab45bde%7C45a3be7c94024fbead438d1faebfb42d%7C0%7C0%7C639135888782886609%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0KtY5XvGUSTKBiIYJvJnZIsKpKKjDCe6%2BpklOSndIgk%3D&reserved=0]  https://www.rcvsknowledge.org/resource/veterinary-early-warning-score-templates/ [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rcvsknowledge.org%2Fresource%2Fveterinary-early-warning-score-templates%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdbarfield%40rvc.ac.uk%7C92cf8a5f383d4d84effb08deaab45bde%7C45a3be7c94024fbead438d1faebfb42d%7C0%7C0%7C639135888782907503%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=CQRrwk8SEJdcaNqHtA%2FpeQ1gwl%2FLg3%2FG%2FGI3ZE1WHeY%3D&reserved=0]  https://www.vetled.co.uk/resources/why-do-i-need-human-factors [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vetled.co.uk%2Fresources%2Fwhy-do-i-need-human-factors&data=05%7C02%7Cdbarfield%40rvc.ac.uk%7C92cf8a5f383d4d84effb08deaab45bde%7C45a3be7c94024fbead438d1faebfb42d%7C0%7C0%7C639135888782954417%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=hh54qRvJn9SrlajOLYCcfqKD5235CTDbQmi6Y6OHizE%3D&reserved=0]   To cite this podcast as: Sarah Batt-Williams and Lyndsay Wade RVC Veterinary Nurses Investigates 2:8 Human Factors with Helen Silver-MacMahon Jun 19 2026 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Handover efficacy with Krishna Mistry

This week, we’re joined by Krishna Mistry for a conversation that takes a different turn—placing communication at the centre of quality improvement. Krishna talks us through her audit on patient handovers, exploring the journey from initial questions to meaningful insights. Together, we unpack the communication skills involved, dig into what really constitutes a “good” handover and explore how checklists and protocols can support us. This episode highlights how small changes in how we communicate can have a powerful impact on continuity of care, team confidence, and patient safety.   https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/integrated-health-services-(ihs)/csy/bec-slides/bec/sbar.pdf?sfvrsn=a91f5c16_1 [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.who.int%2Fmedia%2Fdocs%2Fdefault-source%2Fintegrated-health-services-%2528ihs%2529%2Fcsy%2Fbec-slides%2Fbec%2Fsbar.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3Da91f5c16_1&data=05%7C02%7Cdbarfield%40rvc.ac.uk%7C92cf8a5f383d4d84effb08deaab45bde%7C45a3be7c94024fbead438d1faebfb42d%7C0%7C0%7C639135888782862407%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=U7cAdvZLMLVXUcgJOPPQWDePcrIuKhZGfsSaFMA9Pc8%3D&reserved=0] To cite this podcast as: Sarah Batt-Williams and Lyndsay Wade RVC Veterinary Nurses Investigates 2:7 Handover efficacy with Krishna Mistry Jun 12 2026 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Sustainable Anaesthesia with Ana Costa

In this episode, we speak with Ana Costa about her drive to reduce carbon footprints in practice through the use of low-flow anaesthesia. The conversation explores a tangible, achievable way veterinary teams can lessen their environmental impact, without losing sight of patient safety or clinical standards. Alongside this, Ana reflects on the experience of studying and working in another country, using a niche area of interest to shape career progression, and the wide range of opportunities that audits can open up. We also talk honestly about knowing when to narrow down our options, maintaining balance, and keeping projects sustainable. A thoughtful and practical episode for anyone interested in sustainability, career development, and making meaningful change within everyday practice.   Links: https://articles.burtonsveterinary.com/articles/how-to-safely-reduce-volatile-agent-oxygen-usage [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Farticles.burtonsveterinary.com%2Farticles%2Fhow-to-safely-reduce-volatile-agent-oxygen-usage&data=05%7C02%7Cdbarfield%40rvc.ac.uk%7C92cf8a5f383d4d84effb08deaab45bde%7C45a3be7c94024fbead438d1faebfb42d%7C0%7C0%7C639135888782807562%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IJqfhxDrId1DDW5SDPm5Z6Dtb7sAy6kO5AeZJhYbiVs%3D&reserved=0] https://www.vetspecialists.co.uk/oxygen-conservation/ [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vetspecialists.co.uk%2Foxygen-conservation%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdbarfield%40rvc.ac.uk%7C92cf8a5f383d4d84effb08deaab45bde%7C45a3be7c94024fbead438d1faebfb42d%7C0%7C0%7C639135888782825489%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ArUYhWcT9UtGc63c1bopCtw6DIpbpbQ%2B27ZJopkwRaU%3D&reserved=0] https://ava.eu.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/We_Go_for_Lower_Flow_Infographic.pdf [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fava.eu.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F04%2FWe_Go_for_Lower_Flow_Infographic.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cdbarfield%40rvc.ac.uk%7C92cf8a5f383d4d84effb08deaab45bde%7C45a3be7c94024fbead438d1faebfb42d%7C0%7C0%7C639135888782843528%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2RKl5%2B%2FT8KsCkl6bLJA1QhtmEw4R58fgS7AwDc7P54M%3D&reserved=0] To cite this podcast as: Sarah Batt-Williams and Lyndsay Wade RVC Veterinary Nurses Investigates 2:6 Sustainable Anaesthesia with Ana Costa Jun 5 2026 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Research reflection with Michelle Farrow

Today, we’re joined by Michelle Farrow for a reflective conversation that bridges research and real-world practice. Michelle shares her experience of completing a Master of Research, walking us through the project that explored how pet owners use the internet before bringing their animals into practice. Together, we unpack what she discovered, why it matters for veterinary teams, and how online information shapes expectations and decision-making. Alongside the findings, Michelle reflects honestly on the challenges of the research process, the lessons learned, and the insights she’ll carry forward—making this a valuable listen for anyone curious about research, higher education, or the evolving relationship between clients and evidence. Links: https://www.vetcompass.org/ [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vetcompass.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdbarfield%40rvc.ac.uk%7C92cf8a5f383d4d84effb08deaab45bde%7C45a3be7c94024fbead438d1faebfb42d%7C0%7C0%7C639135888782790014%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=y6mjbNO0R601Fb0WaYxIF0fzDaA4OwEkKIZ%2Bz%2FvEDcI%3D&reserved=0] To cite this podcast as: Sarah Batt-Williams and Lyndsay Wade RVC Veterinary Nurses Investigates 2:5 Research reflection withMichelle Farrow May 29 2026 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Evidence Progression with Susan Holt

Today, we shift the focus slightly as we’re joined by Susan Holt to explore research and how it can naturally build on audit experience. Drawing on the themes covered so far in the series, Susan helps bridge the gap between audit and research, offering real-world advice on how to take those next steps with confidence. She shares practical skills, honest insights, and thoughtful guidance for anyone curious about expanding their quality improvement work into formal research. A grounding and encouraging episode for listeners interested in undertaking a research project Links: https://rcvsknowledge.podbean.com/e/dan-oneill-effective-dissemination-building-an-evidence-to-impa… [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frcvsknowledge.podbean.com%2Fe%2Fdan-oneill-effective-dissemination-building-an-evidence-to-impact-strategy%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdbarfield%40rvc.ac.uk%7C92cf8a5f383d4d84effb08deaab45bde%7C45a3be7c94024fbead438d1faebfb42d%7C0%7C0%7C639135888782772013%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lEyMg7jfflatYZA4Pq5lnNjtcigGKTLvsPvPSp5%2ByX8%3D&reserved=0] To cite this podcast as: Sarah Batt-Williams and Lyndsay Wade RVC Veterinary Nurses Investigates 2:4 Evidence Progression withSusan Holt May 22 2026 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.