Frankly Speaking About Family Medicine

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-458 Overview: In this episode, we explore the relationship between caffeine consumption and suicide risk. Hear how coffee may offer protective effects—while energy drinks raise concern—and gain practical tips for screening patients for caffeine and substance use as part of suicide risk assessment in primary care. Episode resource links: Low, C.E.; Chew, N.S.M.; Loke, S.; Tan, J.Y.; Phee, S.; Lee, A.R.Y.B.; Ho, C.S.H. Association of Coffee and Energy Drink Intake with Suicide Attempts and Suicide Ideation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2025, 17, 1911. https://doi.org/10.3390/ nu17111911 Costantino, A., Maiese, A., Lazzari, J., Casula, C., Turillazzi, E., Frati, P., & Fineschi, V. (2023). The Dark Side of Energy Drinks: A Comprehensive Review of Their Impact on the Human Body. Nutrients, 15(18), 3922. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15183922 Guest: Jill M. Terrien PhD, ANP-BC Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-457 Overview: Many patients turn to low- and no-calorie sweeteners to help with weight loss and lower diabetes risk, but do these alternatives actually deliver? In this episode, we review common artificial sweeteners and explore evidence on hunger, cardiovascular, diabetes, and dementia risks to understand how sugar substitutes can impact long-term health outcomes in your patients. Episode resource links: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01227-8 Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-456 Overview: Experiences of significant pain and anxiety during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion may lead patients to forgo this effective contraceptive option. Listen in as we discuss how to reduce procedural pain, address anxiety, and foster trust using updated guidelines and shared decision-making to improve patient satisfaction and support informed contraceptive choices. Episode resource links: Guest: Mariyan L. Montaque, DNP, FNP-BC Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-455 Overview: Microscopic hematuria is common in primary care, but not every patient needs an urgent urology referral. Tune in to learn how to apply the latest evidence-based guidelines to risk-stratify patients and confidently manage workup and follow-up from your clinic, improving care while reducing unnecessary testing. Episode resource links: Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-454 Overview: Treating hypertension within the first month can significantly improve long-term blood pressure control. This episode reviews new evidence and practical strategies to help you initiate timely therapy, optimize follow-up, and improve outcomes for patients with newly diagnosed, uncontrolled hypertension. Gain actionable insights to close a critical care gap. Episode resource links: https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.23508For your patients: 10 Ways to Control High Blood Pressure Without MedicationFor your patients: Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure Guest: Jill M. Terrien PhD, ANP-BC Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-453 Overview: Many patients are still hesitant about the shingles vaccine, but the benefits go far beyond preventing a painful rash. Hear how varicella zoster vaccination can also reduce the risks of postherpetic neuralgia, dementia, and cardiovascular events, giving you powerful tools to guide more informed patient decisions. Episode resource links: Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-452 Overview: The healthcare landscape is undergoing a sea change, significantly impacting established, evidence-based recommendations. Media coverage suggests that the HHS Secretary plans to release a report linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring as well as linking maternal folate deficiency with ASD—associations that have not been supported by evidence. If promoted by public health agencies, such discrepancies pose a dilemma for clinicians who have relied on and trusted that guidance reflects evidence and is grounded in scientific methods. Join us to review the evidence on acetaminophen and ASD risk and learn strategies to ensure your practice is based on valid findings. Episode resource links: Ahlqvist VH, Sjöqvist H, Dalman C, et al. Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability. JAMA. 2024;331(14):1205–1214. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.3172 Damkier, P., Gram, E. B., Ceulemans, M., Panchaud, A., Cleary, B., Chambers, C., Weber-Schoendorfer, C., Kennedy, D., Hodson, K., Grant, K. S., Diav-Citrin, O., Običan, S. G., Shechtman, S., & Alwan, S. (2025). Acetaminophen in Pregnancy and Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Obstetrics and gynecology, 145(2), 168–176. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000005802 Ji Y, Azuine RE, Zhang Y, et al. Association of Cord Plasma Biomarkers of In Utero Acetaminophen Exposure With Risk of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Childhood. JAMA Psychiatry. 2020;77(2):180–189. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3259 Hirota T, King BH. Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review. JAMA. 2023;329(2):157–168. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.23661 Liu, X., Zou, M., Sun, C., Wu, L., & Chen, W. X. (2022). Prenatal Folic Acid Supplements and Offspring's Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 52(2), 522–539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04951-8 DSM-5-TR: Neurocognitive Disorders Supplement; October 2022. https://psychiatryonline.org/pb-assets/dsm/update/DSM-5-TR_Neurocognitive-Disorders-Supplement_2022_APA_Publishing.pdf https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/06/nx-s1-5532143/hhs-responds-to-report-about-autism-and-acetaminophen Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-451 Overview: The obesity epidemic has fueled a demand for weight loss medications. Trials have directly compared medications—specifically glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs)—with a recent study doing just that. Tune in as we explore the evidence comparing semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight loss outcomes up to 1 year. Episode resource links: Guest: Alan M. Ehrlich, MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-450 Overview: Use of e-cigarettes has increased significantly over the last several years and their popularity continues to grow, notably among adolescents and young adults. Recent evidence indicates that the majority of teens and young adults who vape consider quitting; however, nicotine addiction has historically been difficult to treat in this population. Join us as we discuss the prevalence of vaping, associated harms, and new evidence on the effectiveness of varenicline on cessation. Episode resource links: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2025.3810http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7039a4external iconhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.07.011 Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-449 Overview: In this episode, we discuss new evidence linking high compliance with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet to lower risks of colorectal cancer, reinforcing the DASH diet’s well-established role in managing hypertension while also highlighting its potential to reduce cancer risk. Gain practical insights into translating these findings into actionable nutrition guidance to support your patients’ overall health. Episode resource links: Guest: Jillian Joseph, MPAS, PA-C Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-448 Overview: Join us to discover how flavan-3-ols, found in tea, cocoa, and select fruits, can support cardiovascular prevention. Learn how to translate emerging evidence on blood pressure and vascular health into practical dietary guidance that empowers your patients and complements standard hypertension care. Episode resource links: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf173 Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-447 Overview: New data show that quitting smoking—even at age 65 or 75—can still add years to life. In this episode, we review the latest evidence on life expectancy gains and equip you with effective, evidence-based tools to support tobacco cessation and motivate patients at any age. Episode resource links: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2024.06.020. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes/what-are-treatments-tobacco-dependencehttps://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp2032393 Guest: Jill M. Terrien PhD, ANP-BC Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-446 Overview: Overwhelmed by in-basket tasks? Discover a practical scheduling intervention that gives you time during the clinic day to manage portal messages. Learn how “portal practice slots” can reduce burnout, improve workflow, and empower you to advocate for changes that support sustainable, high-quality primary care. Episode resource links: Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-445 Overview: Managing knee osteoarthritis (OA) in patients with obesity can be challenging, especially when standard treatments fall short. In this episode, we discuss emerging evidence on the use of metformin to reduce knee pain in patients without diabetes and explore how this option could expand your approach to OA management. Episode resource links: Guest: Alan M. Ehrlich, MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-444 Overview: An estimated 30% of women worldwide are affected by bacterial vaginosis (BV), and although treatment is typically successful, recurrence rates remain high. Traditional strategies, such as treating male partners, have not significantly reduced recurrence. In this episode, we discuss a recent study that used a new approach to partner treatment and review its potential to reduce BV recurrence. Episode resource links: https://www-dynamed-com.umassmed.idm.oclc.org/condition/bacterial-vaginosis-bv#GUID-E1A22CF7-D0AC-4247-B1F8-54D1CD26FC1A Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-443 Overview: In this episode, we evaluate the correlation between an increase in physical activity and step count and a reduction in cancer risk. We break down new evidence, equipping you with practical guidance for counseling patients on simple, impactful behavior changes to support long-term health. Episode resource links: Guest: Jillian Joseph, PA-C Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-442 Overview: Listen in as we review the USPSTF’s recently proposed recommendations for screening women who are at risk for developing osteoporosis. Gain confidence to navigate these changes and engage patients in shared decision-making to ensure timely, evidence-based preventive care. Episode resource links: Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-441 Overview: Explore the evidence behind inspiratory and expiratory strength training to improve sleep quality, reduce daytime fatigue, ease COPD symptoms, and lower blood pressure. This episode offers practical guidance on how you can integrate this simple, affordable intervention to support better breathing and overall health in your patients. Episode resource links: Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-440 Overview: Explore current and emerging treatments for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating condition with no known cause or cure. Learn how oxaloacetate may offer new hope for patients struggling with ME/CFS, and gain practical guidance to support informed, evidence-based conversations with your patients. Episode resource links: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Guest: Alan M. Ehrlich, MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-439 Overview: Nocturnal leg cramps (NLCs) are common in older adults, but current treatments often fall short or carry risks. Listen in as we explore new evidence on the safety and efficacy of vitamin K2 as a potential treatment for NLCs. Come away with practical insights to help you improve the sleep and quality of life of your patients. Episode resource links: Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com