ESSAYS
The Globe and Mail The Huffington Post
FORTHCOMING BOOK
In the emergency department, we bear witness to every type of family dysfunction that exists in society. When you pass the rooms, hallway stretchers, and crowded chairs, one would be remiss to think anyone is scrambling through life unscathed. A scroll through the electronic ER patient tracker is the antithesis of a Facebook or Instagram feed; I call it the “anti-social-media.”
During my decade in emergency practice, a theme that recurs for me is how we may feel ashamed of our family member’s circumstances or behaviours, or our inability to care for them. This can lead to a desire to estrange family members when problems seem insurmountable.
But what do we do with family shame and estrangement? That feeling when a person is intimately connected, genetically intertwined, yet their actions and behaviours create a disconnect. For some, letting go of the shame we feel around these relationships is the key to personal freedom.
In my book, I tell the story of wrestling with my own family estrangement. I bring readers on a journey to some of the most psychologically difficult cases witnessed in frontline ER. By observing the complexities of family dynamics under duress, I realize my parents are but two of many millions who struggle with mental illness, addictions, and predilection to violence.
While there may be no reconciliation for many fractured families, I give a message of hope and resilience to readers, encouraging them on their own unique path to understand broken bonds and heal themselves.
MEDICAL TRAVEL Blog
Scientific Writing
Aspler A, Wu A, Chiu S, Mohindra R, Hannam P. Towards quality assurance: implementation of a POCUS image archiving system in a high-volume community emergency department. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine 2021:1-5.
Beyene, T, Aspler, A, Chun, A, Bryan, J. (2021) A live avatar approach to virtual procedural teaching: An experience from the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration in Emergency Medicine. Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians Conference Abstract.
Aspler, A. (2021) Peripheral Venous Access. In Ultrasound Guided Procedures in Emergency Medicine. Stone, Mike and Nagdev Arun. In press
Aspler, A. (2019) “Edema”. in Oxford Handbook of Humanitarian Medicine. Kravitz, Amy. Oxford University Press. Published April 21 2019. ISBN: 9780199565276
Aspler, A, Heslop C, and Stone, MB. (2015) Lung Ultrasound. Academic Life in Emergency Medicine(ALiEM). PV Card Publication.
Aspler, A. Stone, MB. Pitfalls in the ultrasound diagnosis of pneumothorax, the authors respond. Vol 32, Issue 9, Sept 1 2014. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. [Principal Author].
Aspler A, Pivetta E, Stone MB. (2014) Double-lung point sign in traumatic pneumothorax. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ajem.2013.12.059.
Esfahani, K, Aspler, A, Menzies, D, Schwartzmann, K. (2011) Potential cost-effectiveness of rifampin vs. isoniazid for latent tuberculosis: implications for future clinical trials. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Oct;15(10):1340-6.
Tseng, C, Oxlade, O, Menzies, D, Aspler, A, Schwartzman, K. (2011) Cost-effectiveness of novel vaccines for tuberculosis control: a decision analysis study. BMC Public Health. 11:55
Kolber, M, and Aspler, A. (2011) Conservative Management of Occupational Laryngeal Perforation in Rural Alberta, a Case Report and Review of Penetrating Neck Injuries for Peripheral Centres. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine. Mar;13(2):127-32. Review.
Aspler, A Long, R, Trajman, Khan, K, , Schwartzman, K, Menzies. D. (2010) Impact of treatment completion, intolerance and adverse events on health system costs in a randomised trial of 4 months rifampin or 9 months isoniazid for latent TB. Thorax. BMJ. 65:582-587
Aspler, A, Chong, H, Kunimoto, D, Chui, L. , Der, E, Boffa, J, Long, R. (2010). Sustained Intra- and Inter-jurisdictional Transmission of Tuberculosis within a Mobile, Multi-ethnic Social Network: Lessons for Tuberculosis Elimination. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 101 ( 3): 205-209
Aspler, A, Oxlade, O, Banda, J, Mwenge, L, Menzies, D, Godfrey-Fawcett, P, and Ayles, H. (2008) Cost of tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment from the patient perspective in Lusaka, Zambia. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Aug;12(8):928-35.
Aspler, AL, Bolshin C, Vernon SD, Broderick G. (2008) Evidence of inflammatory immune signaling in chronic fatigue syndrome: A pilot study of gene expression in peripheral blood. Behavioural and Brain Functions. 4: 44. .
Aspler, A Dion, MJ, Long, R, Trajman, A, Yang, J, Jahdali, H Al, Khan, K, Gardam, M, Wobeser, W, Hoeppner, V, Cowie,R, Schwartzman, K, Menzies. D. (2008). Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of a Randomized Trial of 4 Months Rifampin versus 9 Months of Isoniazid for Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI). In: American Thoracic Society International Conference, 2008, Toronto. v. 177. p. A790. .
Tseng, O. Oxlade, D. Menzies, A. Aspler, K. Schwartzman. (2008). Cost-Effectiveness of Novel Vaccines for Tuberculosis Control. In: American Thoracic Society International Conference, 2008, Toronto. v.177. A439.
Aspler, A. Meyler, P, and Gamtchoe, M.(2008) The role of women in shaping awareness of HIV/AIDS among rural youth in the west province of Cameroon. Abstract: Public Health and International Development Conference, Yale, USA.
Aspler, A and Queyranne, G. (2007) Conflict and Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lancet Student Journal. Available from: http://www.thelancetstudent.com/2007/11/16/