Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we think about another year of imposed GP contract on practices in England, the BMA response and where it may lead.  In research, we have three fascinating new papers. Firstly, a paper examining how to maintain weight loss after a low-calorie diet – is structured exercise, liraglutide or both better than usual care? Secondly, in the BMJ a systematic review exploring whether exercise should be considered a genuine treatment for depression. And finally, in the NEJM, a study looking at the link betwee ..read more

Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we think about the pay offer for practices in England, a new King’s Fund report on the under-funding of primary care for three decades, and the introduction of Pharmacy First.  In new research, we have two papers. First, in the BMJ, can an online combined exercise and psychological programme improve quality of life for patients struggling after hospitalisation with covid? Second, in JAMA, can serum urate levels help predict future flares of gout and guide us on who might benefit the most from urat ..read more

Welcome to the Christmas Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. It’s time for a bit of light-hearted festive fun so if you’ve finished signing all your scripts for Christmas then join us for a discussion with Dr Stephen Bradley and Dr Alice Harper about “Great Expectations: GPs estimations of time required to deliver BMJ’s 10minute consultations”. This new paper explores how long it REALLY takes to do everything that’s recommended in clinical guidance. If you’ve ever felt like there just isn’t enough time in your general practice day, this might explain it, and you are not the ..read more

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we talk to Prof Hazel Everitt, a GP and lead author of a recent Lancet paper exploring whether amitriptyline is effective for IBS, and where it might fit in to general practice management. We also look at research in the Lancet on treating hand osteoarthritis with methotrexate - what's the rationale and does it work? - plus a BMJ paper on using a patient information leaflet to improve lower urinary tract symptoms in men. Are PILS better than pills? Resources Lancet ATLANTIS paper on IBS & amitriptyli ..read more

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. The highlight this episode is our interview with Prof Miriam Santer, lead author of recent research in the BMJ exploring the effectiveness of spironolactone for acne in women. Does it work? Is it a treatment for general practice? And if so, is it safe, what monitoring is required, and where does it fit with current acne pathways? In news we think about the current issues around physician associates in general practice. In research we have two papers one diabetes: first, in the Lancet, is a new once-weekly insulin injectio ..read more

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we talk to Dr Jessica Watson, lead author of the Why Test study, published in the BJGP exploring the use of blood tests in general practice and how often they make a difference - positive or negative. In other research we look at a BMJ paper comparing rosuvastatin and atorvastatin for secondary prevention, and in the Lancet, the PATHFINDER study, exploring the role of multi-cancer early detection blood tests - will this be useful for diagnosing cancers earlier? Plus the usual news, views, and a song about ..read more

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. As we celebrate 25 years of NB Medical and the Hot Topics course, in this podcast we chat with co-founder Dr Simon Curtis about the changes in general practice and medical education since it's inception, we discuss three of the most influential research papers over the era, and what the future may hold for GPs. In research we examine two new papers. The first in the NEJM is on semaglutide for patients with eart failure and preserved ejection fraction. Can it help improve symptoms and quality of life? Could it improve mort ..read more

Welcome to Season 5 of the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Despite celebrating our 25th birthday (don't forget to check out our NB Plus birthday special here) the world of medical news and research never stops. In this episode we look at research in the BJGP about the motivations behind being a GP, whether adding NSAIDs may improve efficacy of emergency contraception, and whether we should be worried about cancer in patients with reflux. www.nbmedical.com References BJGP Mapping GP MotivationsLancet Levonorgestrel + piroxicam for ECBMJ Non-erosive reflux and oesopha ..read more

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.  Wondering where the sunshine is? Then this song is for you. Have a good summer everyone and the podcast will be back in September. In the meantime have a look at www.nbmedical.com for our latest courses - we have live webinars for the new Hot Topics course, our new Paediatrics and Child Health course, our updated dermatology course and much more in September ..read more

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. School's out for summer but general practice never stops. This week we look at the medical news story of the week: donanemab for Alzheimer's disease - can this monoclonal antibody revolutionise dementia care? Also in research, prevention is better than a cure, so can a Mediterranean-DASH diet keep cognitive decline at bay? For you weekend warriors out there, is cramming exercise in to the weekend as good as exercising throughout the week. A new paper in JAMA answers this question. And is there ANY role for opioids in acut ..read more