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 canc...
Jul 04, 2025•24 min
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 di...
Jun 06, 2025•26 min•Season 6Ep. 11
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 pract...
May 09, 2025•32 min•Season 6Ep. 10
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 tre...
Apr 11, 2025•29 min•Season 6Ep. 9
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 Tirzepatid...
Mar 14, 2025•26 min•Season 6Ep. 8
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 ove...
Feb 28, 2025•27 min
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 pr...
Feb 14, 2025•20 min•Season 6Ep. 7
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...
Jan 31, 2025•33 min
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 t...
Jan 17, 2025•23 min•Season 6Ep. 6
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
Dec 20, 2024•3 min•Season 6Ep. 5
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 ...
Dec 13, 2024•35 min
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In 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, ...
Dec 06, 2024•19 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. This is the first in a series of special podcasts where we talk to the movers and shakers of general practice. We will talk to people in GP politics, leadership, media and research and discuss how their careers evolved, how they see current general practice and how they may be influencing the future of the specialism. We start with Dr Claire Fuller, GP and current primary care medical director for NHS England . Hugely influential, you will p...
Nov 15, 2024•29 min
Welcome to the latest Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker . In this episode, we look at two new papers on the drugs de jour: GLP1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors . Can the former reduce pain in knee osteoarthritis and can the latter prevent recurrent renal stones? Our third paper is a consensus paper published in the BJGP on optimising PSA testing for the early detection of prostate cancer in asymptomatic men . Sponsored by Prostate Cancer UK, Neal is joined by Dr Alex ...
Nov 01, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we have three exciting new papers. Firstly, in the BMJ a network meta-analysis on acute migraine treatments - can the new GEPANTs drugs beat existing therapies? Secondly, a paper in NEJM does screening for prostate cancer using MRI actually help? Finally in the BJGP can first contact physio be better than a GP appointment? Listen on! References BMJ Acute migraine therapies NEJM Prostate cancer screening with ...
Oct 04, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Welcome to Season 6 of the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. The summer holidays are over and it’s back to work so time for a new podcast. In this episode, we look at research on whether SGLT2i might prevent dementia, on if it is safer to de-escalate sooner rather than later from dual anti-platelet therapy post-MI, and how effective is the new RSV vaccine at preventing hospitalisation in older people. References BMJ - SGLT2i & dementia Lancet - De-escalation of DAPT post-MI JAMA - RSV ...
Sep 06, 2024•16 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Have you ever walked into a pharmacy and wondered whether those nasal sprays suggesting they can stop the common cold actually do anything? Ahead of the inevitable coughs and colds of the autumn, the Lancet Respiratory provides some answers and they won’t be the ones you think... Still, right now it's the summer and time to get outside and active - especially if you have recurrent back pain. We look at a paper in the Lancet e...
Aug 09, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Welcome to a new episode of the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Today is election results day but we're not talking about politics, we're focusing on the research. We look at a paper in the latest BJGP which looks at which factors influence a patient's decision to discontinue anti-depressants, explore a paper in the Lancet on whether a symptom-clinic led by GPs can improve outcomes for patients with multiple and persistent symptoms, and discuss trends in cardiovascular di...
Jul 05, 2024•21 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Welcome to the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. It's election time but we're going to put aside politics and focus on the latest medical research! In this episode, we look at an important BJGP paper highlighting the rates of follow-up after a significant asthma attack, a paper in the Journal of Infection showing the high rates of second antibiotic prescription in ongoing cough, and a RCT in JAMA examining if, as suggested by observational data, aspirin can truly prevent re...
Jun 07, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we think about the GP workforce courtesy of four papers in this month's BJGP - does more GPs boost life expectancy (of the patients...)? do PCNs help health inequalities? is practice-based continuity as good as individual continuity? For a more directly clinical update, we look at new research in the BMJ on which is the best oral option in T2DM after metformin. Can the SGLT2 inhibitors prove their worth? Refer...
May 17, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 12
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. Firstly, ...
Apr 19, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 11
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 take no...
Mar 28, 2024•22 min•Season 5Ep. 10
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...
Mar 08, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 9
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 ...
Feb 15, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 8
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 can tell...
Jan 26, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 7
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 t...
Dec 20, 2023•20 min•Season 5Ep. 6
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 sym...
Dec 01, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 5
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 practice...
Nov 10, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 4
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 -...
Oct 20, 2023•35 min•Season 5Ep. 3
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 and ...
Sep 29, 2023•37 min•Season 5Ep. 2
