RCGP eLearning Podcast: Recent Episodes
RCGP eLearning Podcast
The Royal College of General Practitioners is the professional membership body for family doctors in the UK and overseas. This podcast is produced by the RCGP eLearning and Essential Knowledge Update teams and features discussions with clinical experts about a range of key topics in primary care.
In this podcast we interview Dr. Katherine Peterson, a GP partner and strategic clinical lead for learning disability, neurodivergence and mental health in North East and North Cumbria ICB. Patients with learning disability can have difficulties accessing primary care and have worse health outcomes than the general population. This podcast discusses some practical ways that practices can improve care for this cohort.
In 2024 there were 3,043 new HIV diagnoses in the UK, this is a 4% decrease from 3,169 diagnoses in 2023; while in England, new HIV diagnoses decreased by 2% from 2,838 in 2023 to 2,773 in 2024.
In this podcast Dr Thomas Round talks to Dr Shrey Mathur, an academic GP in East London and researcher at Queen Mary University of London with an interest in HIV early diagnosis, about HIV and the role of primary care. They reflect on what HIV is, its historical context and the changes in diagnosis, treatment and management and the need to move away from potential bias within specific populations/at risk groups for testing and ways to reduce the stigma.
They discuss when to test in primary care including thresholds and managing positive results, transfer of care to specialist services and communication between the two, coding patient records accordingly around medications, the use of Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and long-acting injectables. They also offer top tips for everyday practice and signpost to useful resources.
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References:
- People First Charter
- HIV Lens
- Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Tool
- British HIV Association (BHIVA)
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary: HIV infection and AIDS
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary: HIV infection - treatment.
Resources:* RCGP eLearning course on Contraception * RCGP eLearning course on Sexual health * RCGP eLearning course on Sexual and reproductive needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
It is estimated that there are almost 3.5 million people living with cancer in the UK and on average someone is diagnosed with cancer at least every 75 seconds (UK). In this podcast Dr Thomas Round talks to Professor Willie Hamilton, a Professor of Primary Care Cancer Research about the updates to cancer detection in primary care. They reflect on why primary care is so important in this area, the changing epidemiology in cancer and cancer in younger people including the increase in colorectal cancer. They discuss the changes in cancer screening e.g. cervical cancer (introduction of home screening) and bowel cancer (age reduction and Faecal immunochemical test (FIT) thresholds), Positive Predictive Value (PPV), symptomatic presentations, difficult to diagnose cancers and atypical presentations. They also offer top tips for everyday practice and signpost to useful resources.
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Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
References
- Best4: Screening for oesophageal health problems
- NHS Galleri Trail: Detecting cancer early
- Jess’s Rule: Three strikes and we rethink
- ERICA Study. Prof. Willie Hamilton
- Save T, Neal R D, Round T. A multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test: clinical update for GPs. British Journal of General Practice 2024; 74 (745): 380-382.
- Wiering B, Mounce LTA, Price SJ, et al. The impact of morbidity burden on cancer diagnosis; a retrospective cohort study in England. Cancer Epidemiol. 2026 Feb 27;102:103027.
Further readingRCGP eLearning courses on:* Behaviour change and cancer prevention * Bloating and Other Abdominal Symptoms: Could it be Ovarian Cancer? * Breast Cancer Screening - The Essentials * Cancer detection in primary care * Colorectal Cancer * Early diagnosis of cancer in young adults * Lung Cancer * Pancreatic Cancer: Early Diagnosis in General Practice * Primary cancer care toolkit * Prostate Cancer: Early Diagnosis in General Practice * Cancer care | One Day Essentials | REWIND (available until 26.05.26)
Respiratory disease, including infections, affects one in five people in England and is the third biggest cause of death, with around 68,000 annual deaths.
In this podcast Dr Thomas Round talks to Professor Paul Little, a GP and Professor of Primary Care Research at the University of Southampton about respiratory tract infections. They provide a discussion on the common presentations to primary care including symptoms and their duration, natural history, assessment (triage), red flags, treatment including best practice for the use of antibiotics (NNT and NNH, TARGET toolkit), point of care testing (CRP), the use of nasal sprays, encouraging at risk groups to receive vaccinations, continuation of hand washing, and the impact of stress on illness. They also offer top tips for everyday practice.
RCGP Podcast Feedback
Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Further reading:
- RCGP Essential Knowledge Update Hot Topic: Nasal sprays and behavioural interventions compared with usual care for acute respiratory illness in primary care
- RCGP TARGET antibiotics toolkit hub
- Little P, Vennik J, Rumsby K, et al. Nasal sprays and behavioural interventions compared with usual care for acute respiratory illness in primary care: a randomised, controlled, open-label, parallel-group trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2024 Aug;12(8):619-632.
- Little P, Stuart B, Andreou P, et al. Primary care randomised controlled trial of a tailored interactive website for the self-management of respiratory infections (Internet Doctor). BMJ Open. 2016 Apr 20;6(4): e009769.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects approximately 1 in 20 people in the UK, equating to around 3.2 million individuals, though some estimates suggest up to 1 in 5 adults experience symptoms, with potentially even more not seeking medical help. It's a common digestive disorder, more prevalent in women, often starting in the 20s or 30s.
In this podcast Dr Thomas Round speaks to Dr Kevin Barrett, a GP in Hertfordshire with a special interest in gastroenterology in primary care, about the prevalence, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, treatment and management of IBS and offers top tips for primary care practice!
RCGP Podcast Feedback
Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
For more information please see:
- RCGP eLearning course on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- RCGP eLearning course on Holistic care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease
- RCGP eLearning course on the Diagnosis and management of coeliac disease and its immunological comorbidities
- RCGP Essential Knowledge Update module on the Management of irritable bowel syndrome
- RCGP Essential Knowledge Update module on the Management of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
Primary care consultations can be challenging for a number of reasons. In this podcast, Dr. Ed Pooley discusses the key skill of relationship building within general practice and how this can be achieved with a variety of consultation techniques. He addresses issues of raised emotions within consultations, how to recover a consultation which is going badly, and the key skill of housekeeping as it refers to GP consultations. The podcast also discusses how consultation skills might change over the course of a career and the importance of recognising issues which can or can’t be resolved within general practice.
RCGP Podcast Feedback
Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is estimated to affect 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adultsin the UK, making it one of the most prevalent skin conditions experienced across all age groups. It is the leading cause of skin-related disability in the UK and there has been an increased prevalence of eczema in the last 10 years.
In this podcast Dr Thomas Round talks to Dr Khyati Bakhai, a GP in North East London about eczema. They discuss the definition of eczema, as well as the presentation, symptoms, risk factors including family history and other allergies, discussions during consultation, treatments such as emollients, protopics and steroid creams, assessing for infection, referral to secondary care when needed, management of flare ups and shared decision making with patients for ongoing management.
RCGP Podcast Feedback
Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
For more information please see:
- RCGP eLearning course on Atopic Eczema
- RCGP eLearning Hub on Atopic Dermatitis
- RCGP Essential Knowledge Update module on Atopic eczema in under 12s & Venous eczema and chronic venous disease
- RCGP podcast on Dermatology Podcast: Skin of Colour.
In 2020 the NHS became the world’s first health system to commit to reaching Net Zero and take action to reduce the future impacts of climate change.
Take a walk through London to the Story Garden with Dr Toni Hazell, Deputy Medical Director for eLearning and Dr Liliana Risi, provost and past chair of the RCGP North East London Faculty, a past NHS GP in Tower Hamlets and Associate of Greener Practice to learn more about the topic of Net Zero.
In this podcast we discuss climate health equity, the environmental benefits of social prescribing and preventing illness plant-based diet, all of which are covered within our three recently released eLearning courses, as well as Greener Practice, Singing for breathing and Clean air champions.
Correction: Green social prescribing can save the NHS more than £600 million per year.
RCGP Podcast Feedback
Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
RCGP Net Zero Hub
RCGP eLearning modules on:
- Climate health equity
- The environmental benefits of social prescribing
- Preventing illness: plant-based diet
The Story Garden
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), also known as Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is estimated to affect up to 1 in 5 people in the UK. Rates are increasing with rising levels of obesity. Although most cases of MASLD are linked to excess weight, you can develop the disease if you have a healthy weight.
In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round talks to Dr Helen Jarvis, a GP and Clinical lecturer and researcher at Newcastle University with an interest in liver disease about fatty liver disease in primary care.
RCGP Podcast Feedback
Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
- RCGP. EKU Module on Diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. May 2024.
- RCGP. Liver Toolkit. June 2025
- BSG. BSG Guidelines on the management of abnormal liver blood tests. December 2021.
- NICE. NG49. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): assessment and management. July 2016 (last reviewed October 2024).
In this podcast, Dr. Liz Angier discusses the GPwER role in allergy and how this would ideally be integrated into the local allergy team, improving service provision for patients. The podcast covers theory training as well as how to gain practical experience, including the ways in which the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology can help to link potential GPwERs with clinical experience. The podcast also covers some wider issues including the need for education in schools and in the food industry. Those who would like to know more about the GPwER role should visit the GPwER page of the RCGP website and click on the allergy framework, or email gpwer@bsaci.org.
An educational grant was received from British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) for the production of the podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
Adenomyosis affects around 10% of women in the UK and is most prevalent in women aged 40-50, particularly those who have had pregnancies. It is frequently found alongside endometriosis and uterine fibroids and can cause heavy, painful, or irregular periods.
In this podcast Dr Thomas Round talks to Dr Sharon Dixon, a GP in Oxford with a background in endometriosis research and supporting GPs with female patients suffering with endometriosis and their periods, about the symptoms, initial assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adenomyosis as well as its possible causes and overlap with endometriosis.
This podcast falls within the Gynaecology and Breast curriculum field.
- British Journal of General Practice article on Uterine adenomyosis: an update for GPs
- RCGP EKU Programme module on Endometriosis: diagnosis and management
- RCGP eLearning course on Endometriosis
- RCGP eLearning course on Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
In this 20 minute podcast, Dr Emma Nash speaks to Dr Sally Higginbottom about adverse effects of antipsychotic medication, with a focus on movement disorders and strategies to detect them early in routine practice.
Funding for this podcast was received from Teva Pharmaceuticals. Teva Pharmaceuticals reviewed the content for scientific accuracy and full editorial control remains the sole responsibility of the RCGP.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading global cause of death, with an estimated 18 million deaths each year (over 30% of all global deaths). In 2022, around 175,000 people in the UK died from CVD, accounting for about 27% of all deaths — the second most common cause of death after dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round talks to Dr Nicholas Jones, a salaried GP in Oxford with a special interest in cardiology, about primary risk assessment and lipid management in cardiovascular disease.
This podcast falls within the Cardiovascular Health curriculum field.
EKU Programme module on Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment, reduction & lipid modification.
British Journal of General Practice article on Cardiovascular disease — risk assessment and reduction: NICE 2023 update for GPs.
People living with severe mental illness face one of the greatest health equality gaps in England. Their life expectancy is 15–20 years shorter than that for the general population, and this disparity is largely due to preventable physical illnesses.
In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round discusses physical health in people with severe mental illness with Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham, a Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University and a GP in Manchester and Dr David Shiers, Honorary Research Consultant at Psychosis Research Unit anda former GP in North Staffordshire, who became involved in the early intervention reform after his daughter’s experience of a severe psychotic illness.
This podcast falls within the Mental Health curriculum field.
In this podcast Dr. Julie Oliver, chair of the Primary Care Women’s Health Society is interviewed about endometriosis. Starting with the basics of definition and symptoms, the podcast then goes on to discuss more nuanced aspects of care, including decisions about whether to refer or manage empirically, and how to support a patient in primary care while she is on a potentially long list for consultant review. The podcast takes a life course approach, ending with a discussion about management of the menopause in women who have had endometriosis, and the need to remember that symptoms may persist even after apparently definitive surgical treatment.
An educational grant was received from Scottish Government for the production of this podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are a class of drugs initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes and are now becoming more widely used for obesity. They work by mimicking the actions of the GLP-1 hormone, which is released by the gut after eating. GPs will be used to prescribing them for type 2 diabetes, but less so for obesity.
In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round discusses the evolving role of GLP1-RA in obesity, the benefits and potential side effects, the role of the GP, and the latest NICE guidance in this area with Dr Stephanie DiGiorgio, an urgent care GP with a specialist interest in obesity.
This podcast falls within the Metabolic Problems and Endocrinology curriculum field.
This podcast is part of a Veterans' Health eLearning course, which aims to educate GPs and primary care teams as to why veterans are a special group. In this podcast, Dr Emily Brookes talks to Jon Lynn, a military veteran, about how a veteran patient may present differently in their health-seeking behaviours and how identifying whether a patient is a veteran can enable healthcare professionals to provide good healthcare to this patient group.
The Royal College of General Practitioners has developed the Veteran Friendly GP Accreditation Programme. This programme will improve the healthcare of veterans and their families, by giving a better understanding of the special needs of this population and resources available to help. Thousands of NHS England Practices are now successfully accredited, with numbers of accredited practices rapidly growing. You can find out more about accreditation for your practice here: www.rcgp.org.uk/veterans
Funding for the production of this course was provided by NHS England as part of the RCGP Veteran Friendly Accreditation Programme. Editorial and content decisions were by the RCGP and NHS England.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Alliance has provided funding towards this independent Programme. The Alliance has had no editorial input into or influence on the agenda, content of this podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
In this podcast, Dr Emma Nash speaks to Dr Jim Moore, a GP with a special interest in cardiovascular medicine and past president of the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society, about chronic kidney disease. The approach to diagnosis and categorisation is discussed, along with when further investigations or referral may need to be considered. Recognising that the majority of CKD is managed in primary care, Jim explains the key areas to target in terms of optimising outcome and reducing complications, along with how to talk about CKD with patients. He also gives an overview of the most important medications in CKD management, and the key things that GPs need to know about them.
In this podcast, Dr Emma Nash speaks to Dr Laura Patterson about the complications of shingles. Laura tells us about the most common short and long term complications, and also the serious consequences that we need to be vigilant for. The highest risk groups for complications are described, along with the steps we can take to try to prevent them from occurring.
This podcast was initiated and funded by GSK, and the content developed by RCGP. GSK have had no input into the content other than to review for compliance purposes.
Testosterone deficiency in men can often cause erectile dysfunction or loss of libido, and should be considered whenever a man presents with these symptoms. However there are many other symptoms which can be missed. This podcast looks at potential presentations of testosterone deficiency, along with associated conditions, and explores how we might investigate and manage this important problem.
An educational grant was received from Besins Healthcare for the production of this podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
Bipolar is one of the UK’s commonest long-term conditions with almost as many people living with bipolar as cancer. 1.3 million people in the UK have bipolar, that is one in fifty people. It takes an average 9.5 years to get a correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder and there is a misdiagnosis an average of 3.5 times.
In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks with Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham, a GP in Manchester with a research interest in mental health and Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University, about the assessment and management of bipolar disorder.
This podcast falls within the Mental Health curriculum field.
In this 15 minute podcast, Dr Michael Mulholland, RCGP Honorary Secretary, talks to Dr Joy Shacklock, GP and RCGP Clinical Policy Representative for Safeguarding, about the new RCGP safeguarding standards. Joy explains the new document and the drivers behind the updates, as well as the supporting resources and how they can be used. In particular, she highlights the new all-age safeguarding toolkit and how to get the best out of it, along with pointers on safeguarding training and updated revalidation requirements.
This podcast was produced by RCGP Learning. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
An estimated 10 million people (6 million women, 4 million men) in the UK have osteoarthritis, with an estimated 5.4 million people affected osteoarthritis in the knee and 3.2 million in the hip. An estimated 350,000 people are diagnosed with osteoarthritis each year with a median age of symptom onset of 55 years.
In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks with Dr Louise Warburton, a GP with a special interest in musculoskeletal care and rheumatology, Honorary Senior Lecturer at Keele University and Co-president of the Primary Care Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine Society, about osteoarthritis including risk factors, presentation, clinical history, examination, diagnosis and treatment/self management.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an RNA virus which causes respiratory infections; the most significant clinical effects are in infants and people who are elderly and have chronic medical conditions or immunosuppression. In this podcast, Professor Simon de Lusignan from the RCGP’s Research and Surveillance Centre discusses the new RSV vaccination programme, which offers a one-off vaccine to everyone at the age of 75, with an initial catch-up programme between the ages of 75 and 80. He also touches on monoclonal antibodies and antivirals, which are given in secondary care to children who are at high risk of serious complications if they contract RSV.
Sponsored by Pfizer Limited. Pfizer has had no involvement in the editorial component of this educational material. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
A person’s risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including age, genetics, and exposure to risk factors (including some potentially avoidable lifestyle factors).
In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks with Dr Nicola Weaver, a GP and Clinical Cancer Lead in Southwark, Southeast London about familial breast cancer including the recent changes to the NICE guideline.
Both the combined and progestin-only pills are highly effective with perfect use, with a failure rate of less than 1%. However, the failure rate with “typical use” is 9%, which accounts for inconsistent or incorrect use.
In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Dr Toni Hazell, a GP with an interest in women's health and the RCGP Deputy Medical Director for eLearning about the types of combined oral contraception, risk assessment tools e.g. UKMEC, contraindications, individualising pill taking regimes, missed pill rules and common myths.
In this podcast Dr Emma Nash talks to Dr Pranav Sharma about gender bias in pain. They discuss what gender bias in pain is, and what evidence there is that it exists. Dr Sharma goes on to explain the possible reasons why it came about and what we can do to address it in our own practice.
Aspergillus is a mould which is found in soil, organic matter and sometimes in air conditioning units. Its size means that it can easily be breathed in and can cause respiratory disease, as well as pathology in other body systems including the skin and the eye. This podcast focuses on allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, a condition which is present in 13% of adults and up to 50% of children with severe asthma. The podcast discusses when to suspect aspergillosis and the investigations which might be useful in primary care, as well as outlining an approach to the patient who comes to see you with concerns about mould in their home.
Health inequalities, the differences in health levels and outcomes between individuals and groups of individuals, are an issue of fundamental importance for general practice. For the RCGP's chair, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, tackling health inequalities is an integral part of general practice: because GPs are expert medical generalists at the heart of their community, general practice has a pivotal role to play in combatting the causes of health inequalities and dealing with their effects. In this podcast, Professor Margaret Ikpoh, GP in Hull and vice-chair for professional development and standards discusses the impact of health inequalities on deprived communities with Professor Dom Patterson, GP in Doncaster, chair of the RCGP’s health inequalities group and founder and CEO of Fairhealth. They highlight solutions that can be implemented on individual, practice and ICB level.
This podcast was produced by RCGP Learning. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
More than 1 in 4 women aged 16 to 24 years report having self-harmed at some point, compared to around 1 in 10 men of the same age. Research suggests as many as two thirds of people who self-harm will have seen their GP in the month before or after an episode of self-harm. In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham, a Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University and a GP in Manchester, about assessment, management and prevention of self-harm.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the UK, with over 40,000 new cases each year. The positive predictive value of Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) far exceeds that of symptoms and makes FIT an important tool for triaging patients with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer to the right diagnostic pathway. In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Dr Kevin Barrett, a GP in Hertfordshire with a special interest in gastroenterology, about faecal immunochemical testing in patients with signs or symptoms of suspected colorectal cancer (CRC)
In this series of two podcasts, Dr Dirk Pilat, the medical director for professional development of the RCGP, discusses the resurgence of measles in the United Kingdom. In the first part, Dr Michael Mulholland, the honorary secretary of the RCGP, reminds us of the severity of the disease, the efficacy of the MMR vaccine and how to prepare for a potential increase of cases in the community. In the second part, Dr Tehseen Khan, a GP in North East London, the Population Health & Health Inequalities Lead at North East London ICS and a Clinical Advisor for NHS England, shares his experiences on how to increase immunisation coverage within communities where coverage has traditionally been below average and how to address lack of vaccine confidence in the consultation.
This podcast was produced by RCGP Learning. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
In this series of two podcasts, Dr Dirk Pilat, the medical director for professional development of the RCGP, discusses the resurgence of measles in the United Kingdom. In the first part, Dr Michael Mulholland, the honorary secretary of the RCGP, reminds us of the severity of the disease, the efficacy of the MMR vaccine and how to prepare for a potential increase of cases in the community. In the second part, Dr Tehseen Khan, a GP in North East London, the Population Health & Health Inequalities Lead at North East London ICS and a Clinical Advisor for NHS England, shares his experiences on how to increase immunisation coverage within communities where coverage has traditionally been below average and how to address lack of vaccine confidence in the consultation.
This podcast was produced by RCGP Learning. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
In this podcast, RCGP Clinical Champion for veterans' healthcare Dr Emily Brookes talks with Beth Lambert, National Service Lead for Op RESTORE, and Mr Shehan Hettiaratchy, National Clinical Director for Op RESTORE, about their specialist service designed to improve physical healthcare for Armed Forces veterans.
Become veteran friendly at rcgp.org.uk/veterans
Services mentioned in the podcast:
Blesma - charity that supports limbless veterans
Blind Veterans UK - charity that supports vision-impaired ex-Servicemen and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss
Op RESTORE - the NHS Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service (formerly the Veterans Trauma Network)
Depression is both under-recognised and under-treated. Only 60% of people with symptoms of depression consult a GP and of these only 60% are diagnosed. It causes significant morbidity and mortality. Mental health problems are the cause of 10% of all certified sickness episodes and depression leads to more than 3,000 deaths by suicide each year in the UK. In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham, a Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University and a GP in Manchester, about the treatment and management of depression in adults.
In this podcast, Dr Emma Ryan introduces the concept of gambling related harms, starting with background information on gambling in the UK and how it affects adults and children. She goes on to discuss the definition of gambling disorder, which populations are at particularly high risk, and the recent gambling white paper. The second podcast in this series will deal with the issue in more detail, giving practical information about how a GP can spot a patient who is affected by gambling, and what to do about it.
An educational grant was received from GambleAware for the production of the podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
In the second podcast in this series, Dr Emma Ryan discussed how a GP might notice that a patient is experiencing gambling harms, and what they could do about it. The podcast covers the four tiers of treatment, from local voluntary services up to residential care, as well as the rating scales which are used in both primary and secondary care, and the issues to consider if a patient who is being treated for gambling disorder suffers a relapse. The podcast goes on to talk about how practices could develop their knowledge in this area, if it was something that they wanted to learn more about, and what services they could offer, including how to obtain RCGP accreditation.
An educational grant was received from GambleAware for the production of the podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
In this podcast, Dr. Anne Connolly discussed endometrial and cervical cancers, with a focus on early diagnosis. The podcast covers the different risk factors for the two cancers and how knowledge of these risk factors can help with diagnosis and prevention. As part of this the cervical screening programme is discussed, including the recent change to primary HPV screening and the possibility of a future in which the first test is a self-taken HPV swab. The symptoms that should raise concern about endometrial cancer are discussed, as well as the referral pathways and what to do when you are concerned about someone but they don’t exactly meet referral criteria.
In this podcast, Dr Emma Nash talks to Professor Tony Avery, GP, Professor of Primary Health Care at the University of Nottingham, and National Clinical Director for Prescribing. Key points from the two prescribing safety modules are touched on, in the context of the Medicines Safety Improvement Programme (MedSIP) and there is discussion of how medication safety has progressed over the years. Current priorities, national drivers for change, optimising safer systems and safer use of high-risk medicines, are described as well as potential developments on the horizon.
Financial support for this programme was provided from Pfizer Limited. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
We have come a long way from the start of the pandemic, when those well enough to avoid admission could not even access a COVID-19 test, let alone any specific therapeutics. Those in the highest-risk groups for severe consequences of COVID-19 can now access an antiviral or neutralising monoclonal antibody in the community. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Professor Simon de Lusignan outline the various drugs available, which are recommended by NICE, who is eligible for them and the practicalities of ensuring that your patients have access to these medications in a timely manner.
They also discuss the PANORAMIC trial and which patients might want to take part in that, as well as the broader issues around testing for viruses in primary care.
Full financial support for the design and development of this podcast is provided by Pfizer Ltd as a corporate sponsorship project, an arm’s length agreement. Pfizer has had no involvement in the content. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
Diagnosing cancer in primary care is difficult. Many patients present with non-specific symptoms and the positive predictive value of even the ‘red flag’ symptoms is low. In this podcast, Dr. Thomas Round and Professor Willie Hamilton discuss the issues around cancer diagnosis in primary care, including the positive predictive value of symptoms, the increasing number of two-week wait referrals and the usefulness of tests such as Ca125.
Financial support for the project was provided as an Independent Medical Education Grant from Pfizer Limited. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
In this podcast, Dr Emma Nash talks to Professor Derek Connolly about cardiovascular disease and lipid management. Measuring and interpreting lipid profiles and when to initiate treatment are discussed. Professor Connolly takes us through the various treatment options and their respective benefits, in light of the updated lipid pathway, and illustrates the benefits that they can have on cardiovascular risk, both in terms of primary and secondary prevention.
An educational grant was received from Amarin UK Limited for the production of this resource. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
In IBS, it is thought that the gut and the brain ‘over communicate’, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation or a mixture of both. It affects approximately 1 in 20 of us in the UK. In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham, a GP Principle in Manchester, Professor of General Practice Research and RCGP Clinical Advisor to update your knowledge and highlight your learning needs and service on the assessment, diagnosis and management of IBS in primary care.
Inflammatory bowel disease is a lifelong condition which can impact on many areas of a person’s life. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Kevin Barrett discuss how we can diagnose inflammatory bowel disease at an earlier stage and make logical use of the tests available to us. They then go on to discuss the management of flares of the disease and holistic care for patients with IBD, at all stages of life.
This podcast was funded by Crohn's & Colitis UK. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP eLearning.
In this podcast we talk to Dr David Kernick about the relationship between women's health and migraine. The effect of hormones and changes to the pattern of migraines throughout life are explored, and the relevance of migraines in the prescription of contraception and hormone replacement therapy is also discussed.
In this podcast we talk to Dr David Kernick about migraine treatments and the availability of newer medications to help manage uncontrolled symptoms. Both preventative and therapeutic options are explored, in conjunction with discussion about the roles of primary and secondary care.
In this podcast, Dr Nicholas Jones, GP cardiologist, academic GP and Wellcome Trust Doctoral Research Fellow, discusses heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Left ventricular function in HFpEF is normal, or near normal - that is, 50% or greater - but with symptoms that we recognise as being of heart failure. He talks about recognising and diagnosing the syndrome, along with potential treatment options and emerging evidence on effective therapies for symptoms control and prognostic benefit.
Despite the apparent simplicity in the two options available, the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) and the progestogen-only pill (POP), choosing the right oral contraceptive pill can be challenging. In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Dr Sally Higginbottom, a GP in Camden with a special interest in health inequalities, the rational use of medication and women’s health on prescribing the oral contraceptive pill in primary care.
It's estimated that between one and two in every 100 people in the UK are affected by gout. It mainly affects men over 30 and women after the menopause. In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Dr Louise Warburton, a GP, Clinical Lead for Telford Musculoskeletal Service (TEMS) and Primary Care Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine Society Executive Member about the causes, diagnosis, treatment and management of gout.
Practices are well into the flu vaccination season by now, but how often do we actually stop and think about what is in the vaccinations that we give, and how we know when flu is circulating? Dr Toni Hazell talks to Professor Simon de Lusignan of the RCGP Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC). They discuss the strains of flu that are in the vaccine, our expectations for uptake this year and why we have moved to a quadrivalent vaccine. Simon also talks about the work of the RSC, who are always looking for more practices to be part of their network. If you would like to enquire about joining the RCGP Research and Surveillance Centre, please email practiceenquiries@phc.ox.ac.uk
You can view the RSC's Virology Dashboard here: https://tinyurl.com/34p2xjbb
CSL Seqirus has funded these podcasts and has been involved in discussion for the topic of this podcast. The content has been prepared independently by the RCGP without any input from CSL Seqirus. This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals and is disseminated by media determined by the RCGP.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a very common problem. In England alone, approximately 835,000 people have AF. This number is rising rapidly, and prevalence is predicted to double by 2050. This reflects the rising prevalence of risk factors, such as hypertension and obesity as well as being a consequence of population ageing. In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Nicholas Jones, a GP and GP cardiologist in Oxford, with an active interest in cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation about the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation.
In this podcast Dr George Kassianos (National Immunisation Lead for the RCGP and President of the British Global & Travel Health Association) chats with Dr Dirk Pilat (Medical Director for Professional Development of the RCGP), about the importance of immunising pregnant patients, the choice available and its benefits. Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 and the benefits of the various vaccines available for pregnant patients are discussed.
CSL Seqirus has funded these podcasts and has been involved in discussion for the topic of this podcast. The content has been prepared independently by the RCGP without any input from CSL Seqirus. This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals and is disseminated by media determined by the RCGP.
Chronic primary pain occurs without a clear underlying condition or when the pain - including associated emotional distress and functional disability - is disproportionate to observable injury or condition. These conditions, including fibromyalgia, chronic primary headache, and chronic primary pelvic pain, affect between 1% and 6% of people in England.1 The underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood. In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Dr Adam Harvey-Sullivan, an Academic trainee GP (who recently co-authored a BJGP paper on Chronic pain), about this topic.
Cannabinoid based medicines are prescribable on the NHS for certain indications, including spasticity in multiple sclerosis and use in children with intractable epilepsy. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Rachel Farrell discuss how these medicines are commonly used and some of the practicalities of prescribing, including consultant initiation and then sometimes ongoing prescribing in primary care with the use of written shared care guidelines. They also touch on the use of cannabinoids on an over the counter basis. Dr Farrell is a neurologist with a particular interest in this area who sat on the NICE guideline committee and carries out research in this area.
Funding was received from Jazz Pharmaceuticals for the production of this podcast. Jazz Pharmaceuticals reviewed the content for scientific accuracy and full editorial control remains the sole responsibility of the RCGP.
There continues to be questions raised around flu vaccination during pandemic times, including eligibility and whether multiple vaccinations can be given at the same time. In this podcast, Dr Dirk Pilat talks to Dr George Kassianos about the latest guidance for the 2022/2023 flu season. They cover eligibility for different age groups, vaccine hesitancy and the guidance around co-administration.
CSL Seqirus has funded these podcasts and has been involved in discussion for the topic of this podcast. The content has been prepared independently by the RCGP without any input from CSL Seqirus. This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals and is disseminated by media determined by the RCGP.
The 2022/23 flu season is fast approaching, bringing with it all the usual questions about who gets which vaccine and how to best organise a vaccination programme. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell talks to Dr. Sally Higginbottom, author of our eLearning module on influenza. Sally will delve into some of the practicalities of running a successful vaccination programme including which vaccine for which patient, what to do if patients are concerned about egg allergy or have religious concerns and which vaccines can be given at the same time as the flu vaccination.
CSL Seqirus has funded this podcast and has been involved in discussion for the topic of the podcast. The content has been prepared independently by the RCGP without any input from CSL Seqirus. These podcasts are intended for healthcare professionals and are disseminated by media determined by the RCGP.
The National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) was a groundbreaking publication which reviewed 195 UK asthma deaths, adult and child, that took place over one year. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell talks to Dr Shuaib Nasser who contributed to the report. They cover the different phenotypes of asthma, how this is relevant for clinical management, the findings of the NRAD and how we can apply these in practice to make asthma care safer.
In this podcast, Dr Emma Nash talks with consultant paediatric gastroenterologist Peter Gillett to examine common presentations in general practice and paediatric outpatient departments that can be attributed to functional GI disorders. Recognition and diagnosis are considered, along with management, and the important conditions to exclude are touched upon.
Here is a list of resources relating to the content of this podcast:
Refractory Constipation: What is the Clinician to Do?
Gut-focused hypnotherapy for children and adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome Dietary and pharmacological treatment of abdominal pain in IBS Guidelines on management of cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society and the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association Managing cyclic vomiting syndrome in children: beyond the guidelines Paediatric functional abdominal pain disorders Fifteen-minute consultation: Childhood rumination syndrome Functional abdominal pain in adolescents: case-based management Practical management of functional abdominal pain in children Chronic nausea and vomiting: evaluation and treatment Fifteen-minute consultation on the healthy child: Bowel habit in infants and children
In this podcast, Professor Pali Hungin and Dr Emma Nash discuss functional gastrointestinal disorders. The podcast explores the nature of functional GI disorders, the evolving understanding of the pathophysiology behind them, and how this knowledge can help GPs manage the conditions. There is a focus on irritable bowel syndrome, including how it may be positively differentiated from other conditions, rather than made as a diagnosis of exclusion.
Primary care clinicians need a clear and structured approach to the diagnosis and treatment of people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This can help clinicians to identify the small proportion of people who need urgent investigation or long-term surveillance, whilst offering holistic treatment aimed at symptom improvement for the larger population with symptomatic but benign GORD. In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round, a GP and EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Dr Kevin Barrett, a GP and member of the Primary Care Society of Gastroenterology about the advances in the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux.
In medicine we talk about the upper and lower airway, but in fact these two tracts are continuous with each other, lined with the same epithelium and affected by the same disease processes. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Professor David Price discuss how this knowledge affects the management of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Patients with asthma are more likely to have allergic rhinitis than the general population, and vice versa. By proactively asking about symptoms of allergic rhinitis in those with asthma, and vice versa, we can personalise our care and help patients to gain better control of both conditions.
In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Nicola Weaver discuss the use of tamoxifen and some other drugs in the primary prevention of breast cancer for women who are at a moderate or high risk due to their family history. The podcast discusses the evidence behind the use of these drugs, as well as how to work out which women should be referred, referral pathways and the practicalities of prescribing for this purpose.
An educational grant was received by Health Innovation Manchester for the production of this podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
Lung cancer is common and the cause of a fifth of all cancer deaths. Early detection in primary care is key in improving survival rates by enabling curative treatment. In this podcast, Dr Sally Higginbottom and Dr Steve Holmes discuss the role of imaging and screening for lung cancer.
An educational grant was received by AstraZeneca for the production of this podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
GPs and other NHS clinicians are often pressed for time, but there is a lot to talk about in the first consultation for a patient with eczema. In this podcast Dr Toni Hazell talks to Dr Angelika Razzaque about what should ideally be covered, whether in one appointment or split over more than one. This includes how to break the news of a chronic condition, whilst still giving some hope for effective management, how to manage steroid phobia and how to safely deal with a patient who wishes to use alternative medicine to manage their eczema.
An educational grant was received by Sanofi for the production of this podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
Eczema is often seen as purely a skin disease, but it is associated with other allergic conditions and can cause significant stress for patients and their families. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Angelika Razzaque discuss the links between eczema and other allergic illnesses, the management of hand eczema, psychological stress due to eczema and how to manage children with disturbed sleep due to eczema.
An educational grant was received by Sanofi for the production of this podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell discusses the diagnosis and management of heart failure with Ahmet Fuat, honorary professor of primary care cardiology at Durham University, and Sarah Worsnop who shares her experiences of being diagnosed with heart failure at an early age. They cover the importance of the use of NT-proBNP test in patients with symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath, and of keeping an open mind if a patient presents at a younger age than would usually be associated with heart failure. The podcast goes on to cover the basics of heart failure management and the issues that are important to patients, including different consultation styles and open access to heart failure nurses when needed.
This podcast was funded by Roche Diagnostics Limited. Final editorial and content decisions were made by the RCGP. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily represent the views of Roche Diagnostics Limited.
There have been big changes in flu vaccination in the last few years, with the offer of universal vaccination to those aged 50 or over, as well as to more children in secondary school. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Uy Hoang discuss the future of flu vaccination. What factors will the JCVI have to consider when deciding who to vaccinate next year, and how much vaccine efficacy and uptake affect the decision making process?
Funding was received via sponsorship from Seqirus to cover education on influenza. Seqirus has had no input in the content or been part of any reviews thereof. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
Over 900,000 people in the UK are living with heart failure, and 3 million have chronic kidney disease (CKD). The prevalence of both of these diseases is rising in part due to increasing obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as an aging population. In this podcast Dr Sam Robinson talks to Professor Ahmet Fuat, a GP Partner and immediate past president of the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society, about HFrEF versus HfpEF, the barriers to diagnosing and managing heart failure, and what we can do in Primary Care in regards to prevention. They then go on to discuss chronic kidney disease, including how this relates to cardiorenal metabolic syndrome, how to prevent acute kidney injury, including sick day rules, and what the future may bring to the management of CKD.
Every year approximately 2% of adults seek medical attention for moderate to severe dizziness. In this podcast, Dr Thomas Round, EKU Clinical Lead, talks to Dr Devina Maru, a GP Speciality Registrar in Greenwich with a special interest in ENT and audiology and RCGP National Clinical Champion for hearing loss, about sudden onset dizziness and vertigo. Their discussion includes the definition of dizziness and its associated symptoms, how common it is, causes of dizziness and vertigo, testing (such as the HINTs, Dix Hallpike, Romberg's, Weber's and Rinnes tests and the Epley manoeuvre) and management.
In this podcast Dr Sam Robinson talks to Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE, a GP with a special interest in diabetes and a Visiting Professor of General Practice at Huddersfield University , about typ2 2 diabetes and how it interconnects with cardiac and renal pathophysiology.
The passing of the years in general practice often seems to be marked by the annual flu vaccination season; recently it has been more complex with the need to social distance and the simultaneous running of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Professor Simon de Lusignan discuss some of the issues which will affect this years flu vaccination season, as well as wider issues of social distancing and management of viral infections. The podcast also touches on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.
As mentioned in this episode, if you are interested in joining The RCGP Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) you can email practiceenquiries@phc.ox.ac.ukor visit the website at https://orchid.phc.ox.ac.uk
Funding was received via sponsorship from Seqirus to cover education on influenza. Seqirus has had no input in the content or been part of any reviews thereof. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
There are many urban myths which circulate in the world of allergy. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Professor Adam Fox attempt to put the record straight regarding some of them. We will cover vaccination and egg allergy, progression of allergic reactions, the use of adrenaline auto-injectors and allergy tests which are available to buy online.
In the UK over 3 million people are estimated to have osteoporosis and there are estimated to be over 500,000 fragility fractures that occur in the UK each year. In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, EKU Clinical Lead talks to Dr David Stephens, a locum and OOH GP in Scotland, and a member of the SIGN Guideline Development Group, concerning osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures including the challenges faced by GPs, changes in the latest guidelines, the importance of diagnosis, the use of FRAX and QFracture tools, treatment recommendations and ongoing management.
Approximately 4 million people in the UK have an autoimmune disease, many of whom have been affected by COVID-19, by either contracting the disease itself or negotiating the rapidly changing rules regarding shielding. In this podcast Dr Sam Robinson talks to Dr Kevin Barrett about the interaction between COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases, the concerns these patients may have regarding COVID vaccination, and whether there could be any positive outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further listening: * RCGP podcast: Perspectives on... black women in health * RCGP podcast: Perspectives on... being a South Asian GP
Coeliac disease affects 1% of the population, however it remains under diagnosed. In a disease which is mainly managed by diet, why do we need to investigate and make a formal diagnosis? In this podcast Dr Sam Robinson talks to Professor David Sanders, Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Sheffield and a consultant at The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, about why a diagnosis is important, which non-gastroenterological symptoms patients may present with, and what the future of coeliac disease might look like.
Since April 1st 2021 the GP contract agreement regarding the provision of routine vaccination and immunisation in England has changed. In this 30 minute podcast, Dr Dirk Pilat talks to Dr George Kassianos, the National Immunisation Lead of the RCGP. Dr Kassianos explains the new contractual standards and the new vaccination and immunisation domain in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF).
Funding was received via sponsorship from Seqirus to cover education on influenza. Seqirus has had no input in the content or been part of any reviews thereof. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
Alzheimer’s disease is the commonest cause of dementia. In this podcast, GP Sally Higginbottom interviews Dr Clare Wadlow, Consultant in old age psychiatry on practical tips in assessing and managing patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
In this RCGP podcast, Dr James Matheson, RCGP Chair of the Health Inequalities Standing Group talks to Christiana Melam, CEO of the National Association of Link Workers about how those in primary care can best work with Social Prescribing Link Workers. They discuss the what a Social Prescribing Link Worker is, their role in addressing health inequalities, specialist roles evolving from Link Workers working with particular groups of people e.g. vulnerable patients, the challenges facing individual Link Workers as well as the Link Worker profession, the do’s and don’ts of how primary care teams can best welcome and support Link Workers and what needs to happen to ensure that the Link Worker role is sustainable.
As of early June 2021, 1.5% of the population were experiencing self-reported long COVID. In this podcast, Dr Sally Higginbottom talks to Dr Gail Allsopp, Clinical Policy Lead at RCGP leading on Long COVID, a GP and Long COVID Clinic GP in Derbyshire about the Long COVID including its definition, people who are affected, common symptoms, investigations, diagnosis and prescribing for patients with Long COVID as well as the differences in the model and focus of Long COVID clinics.
Global incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is between 1 and 2 per 1,000 adults annually. In this podcast Dr Thomas Round, EKU Clinical Lead discusses with Dr Nicholas Jones, a salaried GP, GP Cardiologist and a Wellcome Trust Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, the diagnosis, management and thrombophilia testing of venous thromboembolic diseases including the changes in the approach to assessment recommended by NICE and how the new guidelines have adjusted their recommendations around anticoagulation treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition, but if treated early with disease modifying drugs then it can sometimes be put into long-term remission. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Danny Murphy discuss the need to treat rheumatoid arthritis at an early date as well as some of the less commonly covered areas of management, including psychological issues, contraception and fertility and drug monitoring during COVID.
Supported by an independent education grant from Pfizer Inc. Pfizer has had no involvement in the content.
This podcast features a discussion between Dr Kevin Barrett, a GP in Hertfordshire and Maralyn Druce, a Professor of Endocrine Medicine. Topics include: * The diagnosis of autoimmune hypothyroidism and how to interpret borderline results * When it is appropriate to screen for thyroid disorders * Prescribing levothyroxine and what to tell our patients * The impact of thyroid disorders on pregnancy * How to deal with queries about liothyronine * The May 2021 MHRA guidance for switching levothyroxine manufacturers
Pollen food syndrome is a common allergy, characterised by a very rapid onset of mild symptoms which resolve quickly. Serious reactions such as anaphylaxis are rare. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Isabel Skypala discuss the interaction between pollen food syndrome and hayfever and how to differentiate between pollen food syndrome and primary food allergy. They also cover the immediate treatment of pollen food syndrome, when to refer to an allergy clinic and which patients might need an adrenaline auto-injector.
Allergic rhinitis and asthma are common conditions which affect a single airway and are therefore inextricably linked. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Glenis Scadding discuss the links between asthma and allergic rhinitis, when to suspect that a rhinitis may be non-allergic, the importance of trigger factors and the use of immunotherapy for the treatment of allergy.
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the UK leading to 3.5 million primary care visits every year. In this EKU2020.3 podcast Dr Thomas Round, a GP and RCGP Essential Knowledge Update (EKU) Clinical Lead discusses the condition of acne vulgaris with Dr Angelika Razzaque, a GP partner and trainer in South East London and Executive Chair of the Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS) Executive Committee.
Syncope is defined as transient loss of consciousness due to cerebral hypoperfusion; it is a common problem which will affect an estimated 15-20% of children before the end of adolescence. The cause is usually benign, but it is important not to miss syncope due to a cardiac cause. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell talks to Professor Lesley Kavi about the different causes of syncope in children and young adults. They also discuss how to diagnose and manage the condition in primary care.
In this podcast, Dr Kevin Barrett talks to Dr Danny Murphy about osteoarthritis (OA) and how to diagnose and manage the condition in primary care. They also discuss what can be done to help patients who have been diagnosed and the useful resources available to support them.
Financial support for the design and development of this Osteoarthritis Learning Hub is provided by Pfizer Ltd as a Medical and Educational Goods and Services grant, an arm’s length educational grant. Pfizer has had no involvement in the content.
In this podcast Dr George Kassianos discusses ways of managing mass vaccination with Jackie Reeve, Dr Ivan Aloysius and Dr Anish Kotecha. The circulation of the SARS-Cov-2 virus in our communities during the current influenza season has made it necessary to change the ways we carry our influenza vaccinations. One solution is to carry out mass vaccinations in large premises that offer space and car park facilities. The group discuss logistics when carrying out such mass vaccinations, as well as effective practice in organising the practice influenza vaccination clinics.
In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell talks to Dr Liz Angier about presentations of allergy and how the presentation is related to the underlying mechanism of the allergy, whether IgE mediated or non IgE mediated. The podcast covers history taking, referral, the interpretation of allergy tests and the use of community services such as dietetics to help in both diagnosis and management.
In this podcast the Dr Dirk Pilat chats with RCGP’s Honorary Secretary Dr Jonathan Leach about staying well in these stressful times. Topics include workload overload, how to relax after work and how to look after our colleagues.
An educational grant was received by CHSA (COVID-19 Healthcare Support Appeal) for the production of this podcast. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
In this podcast, we talk to Dr Kevin Barrett, a GP in Hertfordshire and Chair of the Primary Care Society of Gastroenterology. about autoimmune hepatobiliary disease. The discussion focuses on primary biliary cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis, including when to consider them as diagnoses and what the next steps should be for a GP. Risk from COVID-19 is also touched on, along with how we can support remote monitoring in primary care, when this is needed.
Eczema is a common, chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition which mainly occurs in childhood but can persist into or start in adulthood.
In this EKU2020.2 Dr Dirk Pilat, a GP and RCGP Medical Director for eLearning discusses atopic eczema, dermatitis and emollients for eczema in children with Dr Matthew Ridd, a GP and Reader in Primary Healthcare at the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol. Dr Ridd's research interests include skin and allergy problems diagnosed and managed in primary care, mainly focusing on childhood eczema.
In this RCGP podcast on peanut allergy Dr Toni Hazell talks to Dr Helen Brough, Consultant in paediatric allergy at the Evelina children’s hospital. They discuss the prevalence of peanut allergy and how to deal with a patient who presents with a possible allergy, including the question of whether to give an adrenaline auto-injector while they are waiting to see a consultant. They also cover the LEAP study, the results of which have allowed paediatricians to confidently recommend that the early introduction of peanut into the diet from 4-11 months of age can prevent the development of peanut allergy in at-risk children (severe eczema or egg allergy). Dr Brough discusses how this can be implemented in primary care.
While we are experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, preparations have begun to protect our patients from seasonal influenza. In this podcast Dr George Kassianos CBE - the National Immunisation Lead for the RCGP - addresses co-infection, immunosenescence, symptoms of COVID-19 vs flu and the experience of the Southern Hemisphere over the last few months. Dr Kassianos is being interviewed by Dr Dirk Pilat, the RCGP’s director for eLearning.
The podcast was funded by an educational grant from Seqirus to cover education on influenza and the role of vaccines as a prevention. Seqirus has not had any input in the content or been part of any reviews thereof. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
The prevalence of diverticular disease is up 65% by 85 years of age. In this EKU2020.2 podcast we explore the diagnosis and management of diverticular disease with Dr Patricia Mcnair, an interface geriatrician with an interest in gastroenterology who currently works in palliative care in Farnham.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common medical condition which is usually managed in primary care. In this podcast we interview Dr Kevin Barrett, chair of the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology and discuss the diagnosis and management of IBS. The discussion will include when to suspect IBS, what tests need to be done routinely, management in primary care, how to explain a diagnosis of IBS to a patient and when to consider referral to secondary care.
Patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis benefit significantly from swift assessment by secondary care. If disease modifying drugs are started soon after presentation, the likelihood of full remission is greatly improved. This has always been challenging within the NHS and the COVID-19 pandemic has made prompt specialist review much harder. In this podcast, Dr Toni Hazell speaks to Dr Danny Murphy about the basics of making a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, when to refer and what investigations to carry out, as well as talking about the specific issues that have been raised by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this podcast Dr Tom Kneale, a GP and Faculty Educator from North Wales and Dr Jessica Watson, a GP from Bristol and a NIHR Research Fellow at the University of Bristol talk to Dr Barbara Noble about how we can distinguish between flu and COVID-19. Drawing on his clinical experience, Tom talks about the common symptoms of COVID-19, which can help differentiate it from flu as well as some of the more unusual presentations of COVID he has seen in his practice. Jess talks about the importance of testing and also its limitations and Tom highlights the at-risk groups to develop complications of COVID and the red flags we should look for in patients with COVID-19 and flu.
The podcast was funded through an educational grant from Seqirus to cover education on influenza and the role of vaccines as a prevention. Seqirus has had no input in the content or been part of any reviews thereof. Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.
Thrombocytosis is associated with a higher risk of solid tumour malignancy.
In this EKU2020.1 podcast we discuss with Professor Willie Hamilton, GP and Professor of Primary Care Diagnostics at the University of Exeter, the causes, investigations, differential diagnosis and referral of thrombocytosis.
Around 40% of adults have hypertension. It is a key risk factor for a range of prevalent diseases including ischaemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease.
In this EKU2020.1 podcast we explore with Dr Kevin Barrett, a GP in Hertfordshire and RCGP Clinical Lead, the NICE Guideline on Hypertension, in particular blood pressure (BP) readings (including those taken at home, in clinic and ambulatory readings), changes in BP targets, the different stages of hypertension, treatment and referral.
This podcast is a follow-up to the first, very well received podcast on coeliac disease. This time we are talking to Dr Charlie Andrews who is a GP in Clevedon and part of the committee for the Primary Care Society of Gastroenterology. The podcast covers scenarios in which coeliac disease might be overlooked, multi-system manifestations of the condition and why they arise, and issues with diagnosing coeliac disease in children.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many NHS services to pause and contraception has not been an exception to this. It is important that we continue to provide contraceptive services to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy. In this podcast, Dr. Toni Hazell and Dr. Anne Connolly discuss the FSRH guidance on contraception in the time of COVID-19. Topics include a discussion of when LARC methods can be used for longer than their licensed time, when it is safe to prescribe the pill remotely, and the use of the self-administered depot injection Sayana Press.
Since this podcast was recorded, there have been lots of discussions about how we restart contraceptive provision. Please see the following two links for further information’ and then link to the FSRH and PCWFH documents on this.
Dr Ollie Hart, GP, PCN Clinical Director, Clinical Commissioning Lead for Person Centred Care at Sheffield CCG and passionate exponent of personalised care, discusses the benefits for individual patients, health professionals and the whole system.
Resources mentioned in the podcast * NHS England (2019) Universal Personalised Care Implementing the Comprehensive Model * Peak Health Coaching * Nesta (2016) Ten actions to put people and communities at the heart of health and wellbeing * Patient Activation Measure * The Health Foundation * National Voices
Dr Nicky Turner, GP in Buckinghamshire and Clinical Director for the Chalfonts PCN reflects on her personal leadership journey, and discusses some of the opportunities and challenges facing all clinical directors. This podcast was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources mentioned in the podcast.
BMA PCN site Ockham Healthcare
The King's Fund (2020) How to build effective teams in general practice
Developing a coaching mindset at your PCN Dr Tim Williams GP, coach and author discusses the value of coaching for leadership development both for individual PCN leaders, teams and the whole organisation. Resources mentioned in the podcast * Kline, N. (1999). Time to think. London: Ward Lock. * Kline, N. (2009). More time to think. Pool-in-Wharfedale: Fisher King Pub. * NHS Leadership Academy Coaching & Mentoring. Programmes * Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management * Williams, T. (2015). Don’t ‘Just’ STOPIT.DOIT. Kibworth Beauchamp: Matador
A brief introduction to population health for Primary Care Networks (PCN) from Dr Kathrin Thomas a GP and Consultant in Public Health. The discussion includes a clear explanation of what a population health approach means, how it can address health inequalities and improve the health of your PCN population, and some practical suggestions as to how this might be achieved. Resources mentioned in the podcast * Kings Fund * Short video * Public Health England: All Our Health: personalised care and population health * Wales: Primary Care One website * Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) * Or see Glass Half Full * Health Knowledge: collection of resources on public health
In this podcast, Dr Helen Howells, a GP with a special interest in Allergy, and Dr Dirk Pilat discuss aspects of atopy management during lockdown. Topics include hayfever, anosmia, weaning, adrenaline auto-injectors and service provision.
This podcast was produced in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific.
This podcast is hosted by Dr Emma Nash, a GP and RCGP eLearning Development Fellow and Dr Barbara McGowan, a Consultant and Honorary Reader in Endrocrinology.
The podcast topic is overweight and obesity. It focuses on the illnesses in the context of COVID-19, but also explores their importance in the context of other health conditions and their impact on the health care system and population needs.
Novo Nordisk has fully funded all costs for the development of this podcast. Novo Nordisk has had no influence on the content and full editorial control remains the sole responsibility of the RCGP.
Many of our patients are very anxious at the moment; in the worst case scenario this anxiety can manifest as apparent shortness of breath and affect your clinical assessment. In this episode we discuss how to address these issues, what we can say to patients to help and the use of communication skills and empathy in these difficult consultations.
This is episode 4 in a series about telephone triage during COVID-19.
Aimed at those coming back to triage after a break, this episode discusses new technology such as video calls and techniques to get started again, such as the golden minute. We also talk about the adaptation of basic communication skills to the triage call and how to handle the patient’s ideas, concerns and expectations.
This is episode 2 in a series about telephone triage during COVID-19.
This episode focuses specifically on triaging a patient with possible COVID-19, including a discussion about how to carry out a verbal examination and what red flags to look for. It also discusses how to assess shortness of breath on the phone, which is a particular challenge for patients who may have COVID-19.
This is episode 3 in a series about telephone triage during COVID-19.
This introductory episode discusses telephone triage from the perspective of a doctor who is new to it. We discuss how to set up a session of telephone triage to maximise success, how to structure and document the call and how to safety net. Some groups of patients can be particularly challenging and we talk about how to manage these challenges and how to know when triage won’t work and the patient has to be seen.
This is episode 1 in a series about telephone triage during COVID-19.
This EKU2019.3 explores the recent Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare on Combined hormonal contraception with Dr Anne Lashford, a GP in Wiltshire, Vice President of the FSRH and an Assessor for EMBRACE, which audits maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality combined hormonal contraception.
In the UK, there are approximately 146,000 people with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and at least 115,000 people with Crohn’s disease.
This EKU2019.3 podcast discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease with Dr Kevin Barrett, a GP in Hertfordshire, Chair of the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology and RCGP Crohn's and Colitis Spotlight Clinical Lead.
In this podcast Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Kamilla Kamaruddin discuss the skills needed to manage a consultation in which a child or adolescent presents as transgender, accompanied by their parent or guardian. We will talk about how to support the parent and cover issues such as referral and which organisations we can signpost to for further support.
This episode was launched in January 2020.
It is important that all patients feel welcome at their GP and survey data suggests that this is not always the case for LGBT patient. In this podcast Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Kamilla Kamaruddin discuss how you can make your practice inclusive and welcoming for LGBT patients, starting from when they walk through the door into the waiting room. They also discuss the use of pronouns for transgender patients and how GPs can be supportive of LGBT staff.
This episode was launched in January 2020.
With thanks to Dr Mike Farquhar for giving us permission to use the NHS Badge image from the @RainbowNHSBadge Twitter page.
In this podcast Dr Toni Hazell and Dr Kamilla Kamaruddin discuss the issue of disclosure of LGBT status, including reasons why patients may not feel comfortable sharing their status. Legal issues are covered, as well as general good practice around language and communication with secondary care.
This episode was launched in January 2020.
There are approximately 1.2 million patients with COPD in the UK with 115,000 new cases each year. However most people are diagnosed in their 50’s or older and a large number remain undiagnosed.
This EKU2019.2 podcast explores the symptoms, investigations, referral, treatment and management of people with COPD with Dr Steve Holmes, a GP in Somerset and Education Lead with the Primary Care Respiratory Society.
Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer in men and is the third commonest cause of cancer death in the UK, causing more deaths than breast cancer. This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2019.2) podcast discussed prostate cancer screening and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test with Dr Sam Merriel a GP in North Somerset and a Clinical Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter.
Patients with allergy commonly present to GPs – some can be treated in primary care, whilst others will need referring to a hospital clinic or a GP with an interest in this area. In this podcast, Dr. Susan Leech, clinical lead for the paediatric allergy service at King’s hospital, discusses issues such as how to treat in primary care, when to refer and who should have an adrenaline auto-injector. The podcast also covers cows’ milk protein allergy and how to advise a patient who feels that they have an intolerance to certain foods.
This podcast was produced as part of the Allergy Education app, which will be available on the RCGP Online Learning Environment from October 2019.
In this podcast, Dr Charlie Andrews, committee member of the Primary Care Society of Gastroenterology and Clinical Champion for West of England for inflammatory bowel disease, discusses various aspects of coeliac disease, from when it should be considered through to longer term management. He offers hints to diagnostic clues which should prompt testing, and guidance on the process of testing, including consuming enough gluten in the run-up to investigating. Patients need support and information once the diagnosis is made, and Charlie explains what you can do as a GP and who else may need to be involved in their ongoing care.
This podcast was produced as part of the Autoimmunity Education app, which will be available on the RCGP Online Learning Environment from October 2019.
There are approximately 1.5 men and 3.6 women per 10,000 people who develop rheumatoid arthritis each year.
This EKU2019.1 Podcast discusses the management of rheumatoid arthritis in adults with Dr Barbara Noble, a GP in Wolverhampton, a CSA assessor, appraiser and EKU Programme Author.
Contraception is a rapidly changing field, with new devices becoming available and new guidelines being issued. RCGP Clinical Champion for Menstrual Wellbeing, Dr Anne Connolly, talks to Dr Toni Hazell about a variety of subjects in the area of contraception. She starts by discussing emergency contraception and how to choose between the two oral methods available and then goes on to discuss the UKMEC which is the main reference guideline for contraception safety. The podcast then covers the different hormonal intrauterine systems available, contraception in the peri-menopause and the use of extended pill taking.
While deaths from other common conditions are falling, mortality from liver disease is increasing. There has been a 400% increase in deaths from liver disease between 1970-2010. This is higher in patients under the age of 65.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2018.3) podcast discussed the management of abnormal liver blood tests.
Studies report that between 4-51% of women are affected by heavy periods.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2018.3) podcast explores the assessment and management of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Endometriosis is associated with infertility and is also associated with a lower quality of life with women taking more sick days because of the condition.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2018.2) podcast explores the diagnosis and management of endometriosis in primary care.
The National Review into Asthma Deaths in 2014 found that 46% of asthma deaths may have been avoidable if guidelines were followed.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2018.2) podcast discusses the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and chronic asthma management in primary care.
Axial spondyloarthritis is often misdiagnosed as mechanical back pain. There is an average delay of 8.5 years between symptom onset and diagnosis.
This Essential Knowledge Update (2018.1) podcast provides an overview of spondyloarthritis and offers information and guidance on its diagnosis, investigations and (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) management in primary care.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fifth leading cause of death in the UK.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.3) podcast explores the 2017 GOLD (Global initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease) guidelines and the Cochrane review of Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) plus long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) versus LABA plus inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Its provides information on the diagnosis of COPD, including history, chest x-ray and spirometry, and treatment (including long-term oxygen therapy). It also highlights the COPD value pyramid which shows the cost effectiveness of different treatments for COPD.
The point prevalence of dermatitis in the UK is estimated to be about 20%, with atopic/endogenous dermatitis making up the majority of cases.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.3) podcast discusses the 2017 British Association of Dermatologists guideline on contact dermatitis and how the condition is diagnosed and managed in primary care. It explore the irritant and allergic responses and the assessment and treatment/therapies for patients presenting with the condition.
5.4 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma - 1.1 million children (1 in 11) and 4.3 million adults (1 in 12).
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.2) podcast discusses the management of asthma in primary care including the criteria for assessing and diagnosing asthma in both children and adults, allergy testing, treatments (both non medication such as breathing exercises and medical treatments) and occupational asthma.
About 20% of adults have chronic non-cancer pain, and approximately 25% of those will benefit long-term from prescription opioids.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.2) podcast discusses two papers (from the European Pain Federation and the New England Journal of Medicine) with different views on the use of opioids in chronic pain and how this evidence can be translated into primary care.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presents as a disease spectrum. Fatty change is a common and frequently benign condition, present in 20-30% of the population and up to 90% of the morbidly obese.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.1) podcast explores the NICE guideline on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It discusses epidemiology of the condition as well as assessment, diagnosis (including severity) and management in primary care.
Sepsis is responsible for 44,000 deaths per year and 150,000 hospital admissions. At present the UK mortality from sepsis is 30%.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.1) podcast highlights the definition and mortality of sepsis and provides information and guidance on the recognition, diagnosis and early management of the condition.
The mean age of women who have a natural menopause is 51 years, although there is wide variation between women.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU18) podcast explores the diagnosis, treatment and management of the menopause. It also discusses the peri-menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), symptoms of the menopause and more.
Alcohol use disorders are most common among those in young adulthood (18-29 years), a group that are relatively low at consulting primary care.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU18) podcast discusses the global burden of the disease and the main groups at risk of alcohol use disorder. It explores the diagnostic terms, identification, investigations, interventions and management in primary care and also highlights the area of driving and the DVLA.
Statistics for England in 2011 showed approximately 320,000 adults with epilepsy were receiving anti-epileptic drugs (AED), but it is estimated that only two thirds of these adults have it adequately controlled.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU17) podcast explores history taking including eye witness accounts of seizures, differential diagnoses, support from and referral to secondary care including diagnosis in hospital settings. It also discusses the treatment of seizures, driving and epilepsy and epilepsy in pregnant women and people with learning disabilities.
Recent research (Ahmad 2015) has shown an increase in lifetime cancer risk from approximately 1 in 3 for those born in 1930 to 1 in 2 for those born after 1960.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU17) podcast provides information on the NICE guideline in which the EKU module was based including the recommendations for site specific cancers and also by symptom/findings of primary care investigations in both adults and children. It also discusses the referral criteria and how to explain the reasoning for the referral to a patient.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disease of young adults in the UK. Over 100,000 people in the UK have MS and it effects over 2,000,000 more. It is not considered a terminal illness and it is not contagious.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU16) podcast discusses the prevelance, presentation and assessment, symptom relief, relapses and exacerbations, referral and management (including ongoing information, advice and support) of MS. It also highlights MS in pregnancy.
It is estimated that patients with MUPS represent up to 20% of GP contacts, and 30% of patients presenting with physical symptoms.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU16) podcast explores the pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for somatoform disorders and medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS).
Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a potentially life long condition characterised by episodes of mania or hypomania, and episodes of depressed mood. The peak age of onset is 15-19 years, and life time prevalence is about 2% of adults.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU15) podcast discusses the recognition, assessment and management (including prescribing of medication) of Bipolar Disorder in adults, children and young people. It also highlights the prevelance of the condition.
Dyspepsia is common, affecting about a fifth of people at some point in their lives and is estimated to cost the UK more than £1bn each year.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU15) podcast explores the topic of Dyspepsia and Gastro‑oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD). It discusses the assessment (including the testing for H Pylori), treatment and management within primary care and referral to a specialist service.
Chronic pain is a major clinical problem with nearly 1 in 5 people in Europe currently being affected by moderate to severe chronic pain.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU14) podcast provides an overview of chronic pain in primary care such as individualised clinical assessment for patients, treatment/therapies and management (including self-management - providing support/written information) for chronic pain.
There are around 55,200 new breast cancer cases in the UK every year, that's around 150 every day (2014-2016).
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU13) podcast explores family history, classification and care of people at risk of breast cancer. It also discusses advice for patients as well as the key messages guideline in which the EKU module was based.
Approximately 1% of children and 3% of young people are estimated to be depressed. Adolescent girls are more than twice as likely to be depressed as boys.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU13) discusses the diagnostic criteria and tools for assessing the symptoms/severity of children and young people with regards to depression. It also explores the treatment/referral of children and young people with depression.
Most episodes of psoriasis can be managed in primary care however, up to 60% of patients will need referral at some point.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU12) podcast on the Assessment & Management of Psoriasis provides information on the diagnosis and assessment of patients with psoriasis, approaches to first and second-line treatments and referral. It also discusses the NICE Guideline further.
Psychosis and Schizophrenia in children and young people is an unusual condition in primary care.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU12) podcast provides information concerning the identification, investigation and follow up of young patients presenting with this condition. It not only highlights the key learning points and take home messages from the module and the related guideline but also offers recommendations on how to engage with patients and possible sources of support.
Chronic pelvic pain is a symptom not a diagnosis. It is common and affects around one in six adult women in the UK.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU11) podcast discusses the signs and symptoms of chronic pain, the investigations that can be completed for diagnosis and possible treatment.
Urinary tract infections are common, they account for 1-3% of all GP consultations and are the second commonest indication for empirical antibiotic treatment.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU11) podcast discusses the key points from the module and how they can be implemented within practice e.g. typical symptoms of a UTI and the diagnosis and treatment in women (including pregnancy) and men.
In 15% of cases of patients suffering from complex regional pain syndrome still have unrelenting pain and functional impairment more than 5 years after onset of symptoms.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU10) podcast examines the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and pain management/treatment of complex regional pain and the risks concerning those who go on to develop chronic pain.
Prescribing errors are common, affecting between 1% and 40% of prescriptions depending on the definition used.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU10) podcast reviews the two source documents in which the EKU module was based as well as the take home messages for implementation in practice e.g. recommendations for reducing prescribing errors.
Mental illness is a significant factor in maternal mortality.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU10) podcast talks about best practice in the management of antenatal and postnatal mood and anxiety disorders including the assessment and treatment of depression.
The prevalence of angina is increasing, with approximately two million people in the UK being diagnosed with the condition, affecting 14% of men and 8% of women.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU9) podcast discusses the epidemiology and treatment of stable angina as well as information and support for patients and referral. This podcast also provides an overview of the methods concerning the creation of the Updates.
The total number of prescription items dispensed in 2017 was 1,105.8 million, an increase of 0.2 per cent, (1.7 million) on the number of items dispensed in 2016. Interventions to reduce the number of long term users of Benzodiazepines would have both clinical and economical benefits.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU9) podcast discusses the issues of Benzodiazepines use in primary care and ways in which it can be reduced.
Alcohol and illicit drugs are in the top ten risk factors for morbidity and mortality in Europe.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU9) podcast discusses the growing number of older persons with substance misuse, how to identify those at risk and highlights what GPs could do within their practices to treat the problem.
In 2017, it was estimated that there are 101,600 people living with HIV and: 92% of these people are diagnosed - this still means that around 1 in 12 people living with HIV in the UK do not know that they have the virus.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU9) podcast looks at the screening and
diagnosis of HIV within primary care and explores the role of the GP e.g. highlighting the risks of HIV with patients, working to prevent its transmission and developing their skills within chronic disease management.
People with medically unexplained symptoms are common, and these symptoms can be very difficult and frustrating for both patient and clinician.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU8) podcast discusses consultations with patients with medically unexplained symptoms including the role of the GP, safety netting etc. and explores the treatment of these patients including psychological therapies and medication.
15-20% of school-age children and 2-10% of adults will be affected at some stage by atopic eczema.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU8) podcast explores the assessment, diagnosis (including severity) and management of atopic ezcema and dermatitis.
Gestational diabetes occurs in 3-5% of all pregnancies (1 in 20 pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes).
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU8) podcast highlights the risks associated with gestational diabetes and discusses the screening, diagnosis and management of the condition.
In the UK in 2017 there were 7,697 alcohol-specific deaths.
This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU8) podcast looks at hazardous and harmful drinking and alcohol dependence and explores the thresholds of alcohol use, the impact on mental health/addiction and how to raise potential issues within primary care with patients regarding their alcohol use.
This Essential Knowledge Update Podcast explores a variety of important primary care topics including self-harm, suicide and risk, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, lower urinary tract symptoms in men and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This Essential Knowledge Update Podcast explores a variety of important primary care topics including giant cell arthritis, dementia and people with learning disabilities, vitamin D, neuropathic pain in adults in non-specialist settings and chest pain of recent onset.