NB Hot Topics Podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.Three new pieces of research to talk about in today's podcast. First, in the NEJM - could patients stop anti-coagulation after ablation for AF? Conventional practice says no. Does this paper change that? Second, in JAMA - can spinal manipulation, or clinician-guided self-management, or both help with low back pain? This paper is a good crack. Finally, in the BJGP - what do our patients think about advance care planning? Should we be talking about this more, and, if so, in whom and how? References NEJM Anti-coags after ablation in AF NEJM Editorial JAMA Low back pain BJGP Advance care planning www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we have three new and interesting research papers to look at. First, hitting the headlines this week, weight regain after cessation of GLP1 receptor agonists. Not a surprise, perhaps, but how fast does the weight come back, can anything be done to prevent it, and what are the implications for patients and the NHS? Second, orforglipron - the new GLP1ra on the block and an oral treatment. Can it help weight loss and improvement in cardiometabolic markers in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes? Finally, which is better for treating scabies - permethrin or oral ivermectin? Would a tablet be an easier option, or is it just not as good? References BMJ Weight regain after cessation of weight loss medications BMJ Editorial BMJ Opinion BMJ Side Effects of GLP1ras NEJM Orforglipron RCT in obesity Lancet Orforglipron RCT in obesity and T2DM BMJ Scabies treatment - ivermectin or permethrin? PCDS Scabies guideline BAD Scabies guideline www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Merry Christmas everyone! This is a special edition on empathy in general practice. Does it matter and what does the research tell us? Can not being a grinch in surgery make a difference to our patients and ourselves? We are joined by NB colleague Dr Andy Ward, who is also Associate Professor of Medical Education and an Honorary Senior Academic General Practitioner at the Stoneygate Centre for Empathic Healthcare at the University of Leicester, who is going to get us through the data and explain why empathy might help get us through the festive period in practice too. References Stoneygate Centre for Empathic Healthcare website BJGP Just Do It! Ten Easy Ways To Enhance Empathy in the Consultation www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we have three new and interesting research papers to look at. First, new data on the effects of social media use and cognitive development in younger adolescents. Is it really a problem? Second, can a simple urine sample be as accurate as a smear test for identifying cervical HPV, and what do women feel about this? Finally, if you're struggling to sleep could Tai chi be better than CBT for insomnia? References JAMA SM & cognitive development JAMA Editorial BJGP Urine vs smear for cervical HPV BMJ Tai chi vs CBTi for insomnia www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we look at three new pieces of research and have a special interview in conjunction with Prostate Cancer UK. First, do anti-depressants have physiological side effects, how do they compare to each other, and how does this influence what we prescribe to whom? Second, exercise is a key treatment for knee osteoarthritis but which type is best? What should we recommend to our patients? Third, how has PSA testing changed over the past two decades? Is there variation in testing in high-risk groups? Discussing this further, we are joined by Dr Bunmi Olajide, a GP with a special interest in cancer, and Kevin Howell, Black Health Equity Engagement manager for Prostate Cancer UK. Resources Lancet Anti-depressants and physiological side effects BMJ Knee OA and Best Exercises NEJM Knee pain and home exercises BMJ PSA testing trends in England PCUK PSA Consensus statement 2024 PCUK Guide for Counselling Patients on the PSA Blood Test PCUK Online Education www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker! In this episode, we talk about some real research rather than stuff made up by over-tanned heads of state. Three papers. First, can researchers fill the gap on whether anti-inflammatory reliever therapy is best for mild asthma? Second, how effective are SCAN pathways for suspected cancer in patients with non-specific symptoms who don't meet site-specific referral criteria, and what lessons can we learn from years of referrals? Third, how do the numbers of licensed GPs differ from actual GPs working, and how does this all compare to what's happening with hospital consultants? References Lancet AIR for kids asthma Lancet Primary Care SCAN referrals BMJ Trends in practising GPs www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this new season, we chat to Dr Simon Curtis about the upcoming Autumn 2025 Hot Topics course, then discuss three new pieces of research. First, in the Lancet, which are the best anti-hypertensives, what effect does increasing a dose actually have and how good are combinations? Second, in the NEJM, does giving all the drugs improve CKD outcomes? The case for finerenone and empagliflozin. Third, do ADHD drugs help outcomes beyond core symptoms such as accidents, suicide and crime? But can we rely on the research method used...? References Lancet Antihypertensive Efficacy Paper NEJM Finerenone & Empagliflozin Report on trends in CKD BMJ ADHD meds & prevention of complications www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. I hope you are all enjoying the summer and that your IT treats you well. In this podcast, we have two new studies to think about. First, should children with gastroenteritis be given anti-emetics? Would ondansetron help and improve outcomes? Second, can methotrexate help knee osteoarthritis? It would be great if this would work, but hope only gets us so far. What does the research show? References NEJM Ondansetron in GE in kids JAMA Int Med Methotrexate and knee OA www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. While everyone tries to unpick the new NHS 10-year plan, we focus on the here and now with three new pieces of research. We kick off with two gems in the BJGP - first, examining whether anti-depressants actually help with insomnia, and second, whether anti-depressants cause postural hypotension in older people, and which may be the worst. Finally, we look at a good news story, with data publishing on a new treatment for cancers linked to mismatch repair genes. References BJGP Insomnia paper BJGP Anti-Ds and postural hypotension paper NEJM dMMR gene cancer therapy www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we look at three new pieces of research with implications for general practice. Firstly, can exercise prevent the recurrence of colorectal cancer? Short answer, yes. But how much exercise did you need to do, and what on earth is a MET? Secondly, what are the concerns around low-dose amitriptyline use for IBS from patients and GPs? How can we aid the discussion? Finally, can SLGT2 inhibitors improve liver disease? Is this the new treatment for our patients with MASLD (the condition formerly known as NAFLD? References NEJM Exercise and CRC METs Wikipedia BJGP IBS & amitriptyline prescribing BMJ SGLT2i & MASLD NB Blog MASLD: The rebrand you never heard of www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this edition, we look at three new pieces of research. First, in the BMJ, a paper exploring whether a GP-led psychological intervention can help PTSD symptoms in our patients after ICU. Could this also be successful for other forms of trauma? Second, in the Lancet, research looking at whether semaglutide can improve walking distance in patients with diabetes and intermittent claudication. Finally, in the BJGP, can a practice-led physical activity intervention improve symptoms in survivors of cancer? Will anyone actually want to do it? The answer, and who, may surprise you. References Poor by Katriona O'Sullivan BMJ PTSD paper Lancet GLP1ra and PAD BJGP Physical activity and cancer survivors Moving Medicine www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we are joined by Dr Stephen Bradley, lead author of a new paper published in the BJGP looking at rates of CXR use in general practice and how this influences lung cancer stage at diagnosis and mortality. He discusses the findings of his research and how this might influence our practice. In other research we look at a new paper in the BMJ on orthostatic HYPERtension - yes, you read that correctly - does treatment help and does it really matter in the first place? And from the Lancet, research looking at the role of urodynamic studies in women with refractory overactive bladder - does it improve outcomes or should it be stopped? References BMJ Orthostatic hypertension and BP treatment BMJ OH editorial Lancet Refractory overactive bladder & urodynamic studies BJGP CXR in GP & lung cancer staging and mortality www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we look at three new papers with practice-changing consequences. Firstly, can treating partners of women with bacterial vaginosis prevent recurrence? Secondly, can semaglutide be effective in alcohol misuse? Finally, is tirzepatide an effective treatment for pre-diabetes in people with obesity (take a guess...!)? References NEJM Male partner treatment for BV JAMA Psychiatry GLP1a & alcohol NEJM Tirzepatide for Pre-diabetes www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. This is the fourth in our series of special podcasts where we talk to interesting and influential people from the world of general practice. In this interview, we talk to Dr Helen Salisbury, GP & BMJ columnist. A working GP for more than 20 years, Helen has also reached the wider medical community through her regular column in the BMJ. A fierce advocate for general practice, we talk about her career, how general practice has changed over the past 20 years, what writing for the BMJ involves, her work with the BMA and vision for general practice in the future. www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. This week we look at three new pieces of research. First, we have a paper in the BMJ exploring arterial thrombosis risk with modern hormonal contraceptives including newer treatments such as the combined patch and ring. Second, we have a BJGP paper looking at which type of safety net advice is the most effective. Finally, a new paper in JAMA Internal Medicine collates trials on anti-virals for influenza. Can any of them provide genuine benefit? And don't forget our NB Plus offer - £25 discount on an annual subscription until the 17th of February. Resources BMJ BJGP JAMA Healthier Together patient info www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. This is the third in our series of special podcasts where we talk to interesting and influential people from the world of general practice. In this interview, we talk to Dr Euan Lawson, GP and editor of the BJGP. The journal will be familiar to all clinicians in general practice and has gone from strength to strength over the past few years. We talk about his career and how he became editor, discuss the world of research including the most influential papers published during his tenure, consider the importance of inclusion health in the changing face of GP, and discuss his vision for the future. And remember our recent NB Clinic in Inclusion Health can be watched on demand here. www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. A belated Happy New Year! In our round-up of new research, we look at three papers. Firstly, what have been the effects of increased hybrid working in general practice, particularly with the introduction of digital tools and triage? Secondly, do patient decisions aids help patients with choices on anticoagulation in AF and does this help us? Finally, can appendicitis be safely treated with antibiotics and could we be doing this in general practice soon? References BJGP Hybrid working in general practice BMJ Patient decision aids in AF Lancet Appendicectomy vs antibiotics in kids www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. It's Christmas time and that means a song to get you in the festive spirit. We'll be back with the regular podcast in the New Year. Happy holidays everyone! Neal www.nbmedical.com/podcast www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. This is the second in a series of special podcasts where we talk to interesting and influential people in general practice. In this interview we talk to Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, GP and chair of the BMA GPC England, who is currently leading much of UK general practice through 'collective action'. We talk about her career and how she came to her current role, about the BMA collective action in England and what impact this is achieving, and what is the end goal for general practice in England. www.nbmedical.com/podcast References BMA GP Collective action site www.nbmedical.com/podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. This edition we look at three new research papers. Firstly, can eating chocolate actually reduce our chance of type 2 diabetes? Sounds too good to be true... Secondly, could a blood test predict your 30 year cardiovascular risk? Finally, how does general practice access going digital affect minoritised ethnic populations? Look out next week for the second of our special interviews. We talk to Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of the GPC in England, about what does she hope general practice will look like in the future and the effects of collective action in England. References BMJ Chocolate vs diabetes NEJM 30 year CVD risk prediction BJGP Digitalising GP access and minoritised ethnic populations www.nbmedical.com/podcast