Dr Eric Lawson, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine, has dedicated his career to advancing the field of neurocritical care. As a practicing neurointensivist at Emory Healthcare and Grady Memorial Hospital, Dr Lawson specializes in the management of critically ill patients with complex neurological conditions. His expertise extends to key areas such as neuroprognostication following cardiac arrest and the care of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
In this insightful Q&A, Dr Lawson shares the inspirations and motivations that led him to pursue a career in neurocritical care, the challenges he faces in this demanding specialty and his vision for the future of the field.
1. What inspired you to pursue neurocritical care, and how has that motivation evolved?
Neurocritical care is a unique field because it exists at the intersection of neurology, neurosurgery and critical care medicine. Our patients often have the most severe brain injuries, and their outcomes can have a massive impact on their quality of life. This intersection is what drew me to neurocritical care. I am able to meet patients, and their families, in their most vulnerable state and treat conditions that can have a profound impact on their quality of life.
2. What key challenges have you faced in neurocritical care, and how did you overcome them?
One of the most challenging aspects of our field is often the morbidity associated with neurologic injury. Patients often come in with devastating intracranial haemorrhages or debilitating strokes. The challenge is helping not only the patient, but also their family navigate decisions regarding their goals of care. I try to centre families on the goals and wishes of the individual patient, and how we can navigate their illness to achieve a quality of life the patient would find acceptable.
3. What key changes or advancements do you foresee in the future of neurocritical care?
One of the most exciting aspects of our field and acute brain injury in general is the constant evolution. From when I was in medical school to now, the management of acute ischemic stroke has massively changed with the advent of mechanical thrombectomy. Similarly, we are seeing massive changes to intracranial haemorrhage management with the publication of the ENRICH trial, showing improved outcomes with minimally invasive clot evacuation. My hope is to see this continued evolution in the field so we can continue to achieve meaningful improvement for the sickest of brain injury patients.
Disclosures: Dr Lawson has nothing to disclose in relation to this article. No fees or funding were associated with the publication of this article.
