Welcome to Season 6 of the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. The summer holidays are over and it’s back to work so time for a new podcast. In this episode, we look at research on whether SGLT2i might prevent dementia, on if it is safer to de-escalate sooner rather than later from dual anti-platelet therapy post-MI, and how effective is the new RSV vaccine at preventing hospitalisation in older people.ReferencesBMJ - SGLT2i & dementiaLancet - De-escalation of DAPT post-MIJAMA - RSV V...
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Have you ever walked into a pharmacy and wondered whether those nasal sprays suggesting they can stop the common cold actually do anything? Ahead of the inevitable coughs and colds of the autumn, the Lancet Respiratory provides some answers and they won’t be the ones you think... Still, right now it's the summer and time to get outside and active - especially if you have recurrent back pain. We look at a paper in the Lance...
Welcome to a new episode of the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Today is election results day but we're not talking about politics, we're focusing on the research. We look at a paper in the latest BJGP which looks at which factors influence a patient's decision to discontinue anti-depressants, explore a paper in the Lancet on whether a symptom-clinic led by GPs can improve outcomes for patients with multiple and persistent symptoms, and discuss trends in cardiovascular...
Welcome to the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. It's election time but we're going to put aside politics and focus on the latest medical research! In this episode, we look at an important BJGP paper highlighting the rates of follow-up after a significant asthma attack, a paper in the Journal of Infection showing the high rates of second antibiotic prescription in ongoing cough, and a RCT in JAMA examining if, as suggested by observational data, aspirin can truly prevent...
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we think about the GP workforce courtesy of four papers in this month's BJGP - does more GPs boost life expectancy (of the patients...)? do PCNs help health inequalities? is practice-based continuity as good as individual continuity? For a more directly clinical update, we look at new research in the BMJ on which is the best oral option in T2DM after metformin. Can the SGLT2 inhibitors prove their worth?Ref...
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. To DRE or not to DRE? This is the question and the main event in this episode. We have a fantastic interview with Amy Rylance, Head of Improving Care at Prostate Cancer UK, and Sam Merriel, GP and academic clinical lecturer, discussing their recent Clinical Practice paper in the BJGP: Is the digital rectal exam any good as a prostate cancer screening test? In other research, we have two papers with a common theme. Firstly,...
Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with host Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we start by thinking about the news. Firstly, the overwhelming consensus from GPs in England to not support the imposed contract. Secondly, the ongoing discussion around physician associates in general practice, where we touch on an interesting report from South Mississippi around the costs and other outcomes of non-doctor-led primary care. Thirdly, NHS patient satisfaction - is important to take...
Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we think about another year of imposed GP contract on practices in England, the BMA response and where it may lead. In research, we have three fascinating new papers. Firstly, a paper examining how to maintain weight loss after a low-calorie diet – is structured exercise, liraglutide or both better than usual care? Secondly, in the BMJ a systematic review exploring whether exercise should be consi...
Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we think about the pay offer for practices in England, a new King’s Fund report on the under-funding of primary care for three decades, and the introduction of Pharmacy First. In new research, we have two papers. First, in the BMJ, can an online combined exercise and psychological programme improve quality of life for patients struggling after hospitalisation with covid? Second, in JAMA, can seru...
Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we consider the current state of general practice in the UK and what lessons the countries can learn from each other. We examine a new paper in the BJGP on how patients feel about general practice in Scotland since the introduction of the 2018 GP contract. Is it meeting patient and policymaker goals? In other research, we see what lessons a new paper in JAMA on weight loss and cancer association can t...
Welcome to the Christmas Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. It’s time for a bit of light-hearted festive fun so if you’ve finished signing all your scripts for Christmas then join us for a discussion with Dr Stephen Bradley and Dr Alice Harper about “Great Expectations: GPs estimations of time required to deliver BMJ’s 10minute consultations”.This new paper explores how long it REALLY takes to do everything that’s recommended in clinical guidance. If you’ve ever felt like...
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we talk to Prof Hazel Everitt, a GP and lead author of a recent Lancet paper exploring whether amitriptyline is effective for IBS, and where it might fit in to general practice management.We also look at research in the Lancet on treating hand osteoarthritis with methotrexate - what's the rationale and does it work? - plus a BMJ paper on using a patient information leaflet to improve lower urinary tract sy...
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. The highlight of this episode is our interview with Prof Miriam Santer, lead author of recent research in the BMJ exploring the effectiveness of spironolactone for acne in women. Does it work? Is it a treatment for general practice? And if so, is it safe, what monitoring is required, and where does it fit with current acne pathways?In the news, we think about the current issues around physician associates in general practi...
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we talk to Dr Jessica Watson, lead author of the Why Test study, published in the BJGP exploring the use of blood tests in general practice and how often they make a difference - positive or negative.In other research we look at a BMJ paper comparing rosuvastatin and atorvastatin for secondary prevention, and in the Lancet, the PATHFINDER study, exploring the role of multi-cancer early detection blood tests...
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr. Neal Tucker. As we celebrate 25 years of NB Medical and the Hot Topics course, in this podcast we chat with co-founder Dr Simon Curtis about the changes in general practice and medical education since its inception, we discuss three of the most influential research papers over the era, and what the future may hold for GPs. In research, we examine two new papers. The first in the NEJM is on semaglutide for patients with heart failure a...
Welcome to Season 5 of the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Despite celebrating our 25th birthday (don't forget to check out our NB Plus birthday special here) the world of medical news and research never stops. In this episode we look at research in the BJGP about the motivations behind being a GP, whether adding NSAIDs may improve efficacy of emergency contraception, and whether we should be worried about cancer in patients with reflux.www.nbmedical.comReferencesBJGP ...
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Wondering where the sunshine is? Then this song is for you. Have a good summer everyone and the podcast will be back in September. In the meantime have a look at www.nbmedical.com for our latest courses - we have live webinars for the new Hot Topics course, our new Paediatrics and Child Health course, our updated dermatology course and much more in September.www.nbmedical.com/podcast
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. School's out for summer but general practice never stops. This week we look at the medical news story of the week: donanemab for Alzheimer's disease - can this monoclonal antibody revolutionise dementia care? Also in research, prevention is better than a cure, so can a Mediterranean-DASH diet keep cognitive decline at bay? For you weekend warriors out there, is cramming exercise into the weekend as good as exercising...
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. NHS Long Term Workforce Plan is all over the news today. In this episode we have a look at some of the key statements, seeing what is positive for general practice, what is wishful thinking, and what could be even worse.In research we look at new observational data from Denmark, published in the BMJ, finding an association between HRT and dementia; also a study examining the effectiveness of an intra-pulmonary artery...
Welcome to a new Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In Just One More Thing we are joined by Dr. Jim Moore, chair of the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society, where we discuss cholesterol lowering therapies, new ways to treat heart failure, and how we may meet government targets for blood pressure control - can and should it all be done in general practice?In news, is it good news as GPs are primed to solve the obesity crisis with semaglutide? And in research we look at a B...