Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. To DRE or not to DRE? This is the question and the main event in this episode. We have a fantastic interview with Amy Rylance, Head of Improving Care at Prostate Cancer UK, and Sam Merriel, GP and academic clinical lecturer, discussing their recent Clinical Practice paper in the BJGP: Is the digital rectal exam any good as a prostate cancer screening test? In other research, we have two papers with a common theme....

Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with host Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we start by thinking about the news. Firstly, the overwhelming consensus from GPs in England to not support the imposed contract. Secondly, the ongoing discussion around physician associates in general practice, where we touch on an interesting report from South Mississippi around the costs and other outcomes of non-doctor-led primary care. Thirdly, NHS patient satisfaction - is important to...

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...

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...

Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we consider the current state of general practice in the UK and what lessons the countries can learn from each other. We examine a new paper in the BJGP on how patients feel about general practice in Scotland since the introduction of the 2018 GP contract. Is it meeting patient and policymaker goals? In other research, we see what lessons a new paper in JAMA on weight loss and cancer association...

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...

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...

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

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...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr. Neal Tucker. As we celebrate 25 years of NB Medical and the Hot Topics course, in this podcast we chat with co-founder Dr Simon Curtis about the changes in general practice and medical education since its inception, we discuss three of the most influential research papers over the era, and what the future may hold for GPs. In research, we examine two new papers. The first in the NEJM is on semaglutide for patients with heart failure...

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...

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.

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

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.  NHS Long Term Workforce Plan is all over the news today. In this episode we have a look at some of the key statements, seeing what is positive for general practice, what is wishful thinking, and what could be even worse. In research we look at new observational data from Denmark, published in the BMJ, finding an association between HRT and dementia; also a study examining the effectiveness of an intra-pulmonary artery...

Welcome to a new Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In Just One More Thing we are joined by Dr. Jim Moore, chair of the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society, where we discuss cholesterol lowering therapies, new ways to treat heart failure, and how we may meet government targets for blood pressure control - can and should it all be done in general practice? In news, is it good news as GPs are primed to solve the obesity crisis with semaglutide? And in research we look at a...

Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast.  In this episode we reflect on the Prime Ministers Primary Care Recovery Plan, then move on to more useful things like research.  We have new papers in the BJGP on who may be more likely to develop fatigue after mild covid and the NEJM on using a peanut patch to desensitive toddlers at risk of anaphylaxis. We also have the next in our series of Just One More Thing - this time we chat about allergy with Dr Matt Doyle, GP and chair of the primary care...

Welcome to another Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. With general practice becoming an increasingly popular political battleground, we focus on the latest research. In this edition, we look at whether bempedoic acid actually reduces cardiovascular events and death as well as reducing cholesterol. Ever wondered which is more important in causing CVD: inflammation or cholesterol? A new paper in the Lancet examines this in patients already taking statins. We also explore...

Welcome to the latest Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.  In this episode, we have the latest news including how the public view the NHS and what's happening to the GP contract for English practice. In research, we have a fascinating paper in the BMJ exploring what differences have emerged in recorded outcomes between England and Scotland since the latter abolished QOF, an answer on whether coffee is bad for you (or at least your heart in the short term), and a new...

Welcome to the Hot Topics Podcast with host, Dr Neal Tucker.  In this bumper edition, we have the next in our Just One More Thing series. We interview Dr Sam Merriel in collaboration with Prostate Cancer UK, talking about what we need to know in the world of prostate cancer. Should we be screening? Do we need to think beyond PSA? Does new technology change our approach? In the news, we look at the latest RCGP data on workload and whether GPs will strike, while in research we have a BJGP...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker.  In this episode, we speak to Dr Katherine Hickman, current chair of the Primary Care Respiratory Society, who answers our three Just One More Thing questions on what we need to know about from primary, secondary and future care with asthma. In new research, we discuss a paper on how pharmaceutical companies spend more money promoting less effective drugs, how atropine eye drops in children can delay myopia, and whether cancer risk...

Welcome to another HOT TOPICS podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.  In the podcast cast we reflect on the latest commentaries from the political parties and medical organisations on how they can help with the NHS crisis. We can’t promise a solution, but we can help you stay up to date with the world of research. This week we have new research in the Lancet examining whether molnupiravir actually helps acute covid, whether dementia can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle even if...

Welcome to the latest NB Hot Topics podcast. It’s Christmas and no one needs anything too serious. Enjoy the song. Happy holidays everyone! See you in 2023. Neal

Welcome to a new episode of the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.  In this podcast, we look at new research in the BMJ on optimal duration to treatment distal DVTs (wait... do we even check for these...?), and the Lancet examines the benefits of high-dose chronic heart failure therapies after acute decompensation. In Just One More Thing... this episode we are joined by Dr Rachel Ainley, head of research and evidence at Crohn's & Colitis UK to find out what's new in...

Welcome to the new Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.  We're dealing with heavy topics today - the Autumn Statement, how losing continuity is detrimental to patient care, maternal mortality in the UK - but we've tried to keep it light in other ways including our new segment: Just One More Thing In Just One More Thing we interview primary care experts across a range of specialties asking 3 questions: what one thing do we need to know about in general practice regarding...