In this latest episode of the Hot Topics podcast, Neal Tucker considers why the press have been attacking general practice and who stands to gain. We also look at new research in to giving anti-emetics for children with gastroenteritis, the accuracy of PHQ9 in the assessment of depression and what are safe levels of air pollution. References BMJ Air pollution BJGP Ondansetron in children with gastro BMJ PHQ 9 accuracy www.nbmedical.com/podcast...
Oct 07, 2021•15 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Welcome, to Season 3 of the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we lament why Health Secretaries appear to hate healthcare. We also look at the rationale for covid boosters with new research on the vaccine response in the immunosuppressed and waning efficacy in the general population. In other research, can a 4-in-1 pill be a helpful 1st line treatment for hypertension? And should we all be prescribing medical cannabis? The BMJ says yes, but not how. A technical issue today ...
Sep 17, 2021•23 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this summer holidays episode of the Hot Topics Podcast, Neal Tucker looks at the latest research for the primary care community. Firstly, three treatments for covid-19 in community-managed patients - do they work? Next rotator cuff injury - can progressive exercise beat usual care and is there ANY role for steroid injections? Finally, FIT testing for suspected colorectal cancer - do we now have the data to replace colonoscopy? And as you’re here you probably like podcasts, so have a listen to...
Aug 11, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 16
In this episode, Neal Tucker squeezes in a podcast between childcare during self-isolation. When he's let out there will be a new sort of Freedom in England, should the rest of the UK be jealous? We think about rising covid numbers, how this impacts general practice (and the rest of the health service), and what role vaccination for children should play in this complex situation . Also, we look at new research on evidence-based drug optimisation strategies in multimorbid and question why they do...
Jul 16, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In this episode of the Hot Topics Podcast, Neal Tucker considers if there is a crisis of identity in GP and how the ever-increasing workload has changed the traditional role of a GP. Is there a solution? Possibly, but not everyone will agree. In new research, we focus on new technology. Are implantable rhythm monitors helpful after stroke? Do wearable glucose monitors improve diabetes care? Is more data always better? References : BJGP Editorial from Euan Lawson BJGP Editorial from Clare Gerada ...
Jun 16, 2021•21 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Approach a wounded animal with caution. Someone should have told this to NHS England before they wrote THAT letter. In this podcast, in classic GP style, we reflect on how this makes us feel and come to the only obvious conclusion. (We've kept it family friendly...) Meanwhile, Neal Tucker has a look at new research on COVID vaccinations and their efficacy against variants from around the world. New data on long covid which begs the question where is the tsunami we were expecting? Also getting to...
May 26, 2021•22 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Welcome back! Neal Tucker takes you through the latest Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical. In this edition after a "cry for help" from a UK practice written in a 16-page letter to patients we look at new research in the BJGP on remoting consulting and ask for your thoughts on the state of general practice. Are we complicit in pathologising normal life? 8% of the population are on anti-depressants - what does new research tell us about how to withdraw them? We also explore new research on the ben...
May 07, 2021•18 min•Season 2Ep. 12
The big news this week has been the risk of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis post-AZ vaccine and it's been giving us all a headache, but this has overshadowed further new data confirming benefit of inhaled corticosteroids for acute mild covid and guidance that we can offer this to older patients on a case-by-case basis. In the latest Hot Topics podcast Neal Tucker discusses the facts, figures, management and ethics of post-AZ vaccine thrombosis, reviews the Principle trial showing we now have a ...
Apr 16, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Big news in this new Hot Topics podcast as we discuss very positive data on the role of inhaled budesonide for early mild COVID in community-based patients - the STOIC trial may radically change our management of COVID but why hasn't this been a huge story and should we wait to change our practice? Also, we look at a BMJ paper examining the risk of catching and dying from COVID if you are an adult with children at home, a Lancet paper looking at only 3 days of antibiotics for pneumonia and more ...
Mar 26, 2021•22 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Welcome back to the Hot Topics Podcast. In this episode, Neal Tucker talks about Long COVID in children, changes in violence injuries during lockdown, the prospect of a universal coronavirus vaccine, and the challenges of increasing vaccination rates in general practice. In new research, we discuss papers from the BJGP on health inequalities, who is faring badly and how consultation length impacts on inequality. Also, novel research in the BMJ examining muscle symptoms with statins. Or not as th...
Mar 05, 2021•22 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Welcome to another Hot Topics Podcast! As we rapidly vaccinate the UK our thoughts today turn to the longer term and how environmental issues affect our patients and what practices can do about it. Neal Tucker is joined by Terry Kemple, GP and founder of the Green Impact for Health Toolkit, to chat about how practices can make positive changes to save money, improve the health of our patients now, and help save the world in the longer term. Too much for general practice? A year ago I might have ...
Feb 12, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Belated Happy New Year! In this new podcast, Dr Neal Tucker chats about the latest news and research in general practice. Firstly, what do the SARS-CoV-2 variants mean for the efficacy of the vaccines and should we continue the vaccine programme? The new GP contract is out and the most controversial aspects is financial incentivisation for weight loss referrals. What works? We look at two Lancet papers. New research in the BMJ on antidepressants for back pain and OA - can this be the magic cure?...
Jan 22, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! There's no time to take stock of 2020 in this latest podcast. Instead Neal Tucker talks about the latest science on the new, highly transmissible variant of SARS-CoV-2 sweeping the south of England. He also looks at the success of general practice in starting the Covid vaccinations for thousands of vulnerable patients. And research on clowns in hospitals - should we have jesters in surgeries??? See you in 2021 everyone, Neal References New Scientist and Vari...
Dec 22, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 6
There's really only one topic of conversation: COVID vaccines, when will we get them, how do we give them and what's going to happen about Christmas... In this latest episode, Neal Tucker discusses the latest on general practice's role in vaccinating the nation, mistakes in the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine trial, the cost of vaccines and vaccinating, and how to keep thing below minus 70 degrees. We also have a look at some new research examining whether it really matters which blood pressure medic...
Dec 04, 2020•17 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast with Neal Tucker. Finally some hope with an imminent COVID vaccine. But how good is it really and where is the data? Meanwhile general practice has been set up as the saviour of the nation but can we really vaccinate the entire population? The Committee of Horribly Absurd Orders thinks so or is it part of their long-game to say CHAO to GPs? And also some good news that we may not have to store this new vaccine at -70oC after all... For published research we...
Nov 13, 2020•23 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Hello again! In this podcast Dr Neal Tucker is joined by Dr Philippa Davies, a GP with a special interest in dermatology, to talk about the many and varied skin presentations of COVID-19 and how we might want to carefully scrutinise the rashes we're seeing over the next few months. To make it as interactive as possible follow along using www.covidskinsigns.com and you'll be able to see exactly what we're talking about! Also today, comedic one-liners to lighten the mood, rates of Long Covid and w...
Oct 23, 2020•22 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Welcome back! In this episode, Dr Neal Tucker talks about the world's biggest news story: President Trump and his treatments. Should we all be getting the same? He also looks at flu vaccinations and appraisals, and challenges the Committee of Pointless S%&t to cut the crap. In the latest research, we look at newly published data on SGLT2 inhibitor use for heart failure and renal disease in patients without diabetes and the benefits of high intensity training for longevity. Resources: J o Hos...
Oct 09, 2020•21 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Welcome back to Season 2 of the Hot Topics podcast with Neal Tucker. In this episode, we discuss THAT letter, whether we can differentiate a Covid cough from a simple URTI, how long SARS-CoV-2 antibodies actually last, plus research on SGLT2 inhibitors, gut instinct and the power of continuity in general practice. Find us on @gphottopics, Facebook or email hottopics@nbmedical.com RCPCH statements on Covid in children UK Study Study symptoms in children JAMA Antibody durability study Lancet SGLT2...
Sep 18, 2020•20 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this final podcast for the summer Dr Neal Tucker reflects on the latest news and research in the world of general practice from the past two weeks. As COVID cases start to rise again we look at the latest research on the transmission of COVID via schools and why we all need a change in mindset about working when ill. We consider the role of GPs in taking away a patient's car keys and giving them a bike. And we look at vaccines with positive news on COVID immunisation and the difficulties of d...
Jul 31, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Welcome to the latest episode of the Hot Topics Podcast with Neal Tucker from NB Medical. All about coronavirus again! The two big topics this week are immunity and the importance of T cells plus an in-depth look at post-COVID syndrome, how we can anticipate the effects on the population and the resources that can help us manage it. We've also got research on remdesivir and more on how SARS-CoV-2 affects children, plus why COVID-19 isn't a lifestyle disease but lifestyle medicine still has a rol...
Jul 10, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In our latest Hot Topics podcast, Neal Tucker discusses the latest news and research for primary care. This week a firm focus on coronavirus once again. We talk about antibody tests and why there seems such discrepancies between the real world results in you and I and the tests' supposed accuracy. We talk about dexamethasone and the implications for primary care. And we discuss the possibility of a 2nd wave of coronavirus, how this will our jobs in primary care and what we can do to keep ourselv...
Jun 19, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In the latest episode of the Hot Topics Podcast, Neal Tucker discusses the latest news and research relevant to primary care. Today we talk about race, inequalities and unconscious bias and how this affects decisions about BAME medics in the UK. We also look at a Lancet paper on hydroxychloroquine risks which has been retracted due to suspicious reporting of data, and the 'tsunami' of mental illness anticipated due to coronavirus. In new research we discuss government recommendations on face mas...
Jun 05, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this latest Hot Topics Podcast, Neal Tucker reviews the latest knowledge about coronavirus and non-SARs-CoV2 research relevant to primary care. We review new reports of Kawasaki-like disease in children with Covid-19 and the implications for children returning to school. We examine data on hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin suggesting it may kill more than it cures. And we have a think about testing and the new antibody tools. In non-coronavirus research, we look at SGLT2i and renal disease,...
May 15, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In our latest Hot Topics podcast Neal Tucker examines the emerging treatments for Covid-19 including remdesivir, antiplatelets, vitamin D and vaccinations. Do these provide the magic bullet we need to shut down the infection and open up the world? He also reviews the latest research including data on asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic disease in children, important for when schools re-open, and the elderly, important for managing Covid-19 in care homes. He also looks at some emerging data on the e...
May 01, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this latest coronavirus special Neal Tucker discusses the latest knowledge about COVID-19 and how general practice will need to adapt to a world with persisting coronavirus. We discuss the effects of coronavirus on black, Asian and minority ethnic populations, new understanding about the clinical features of COVID-19 especially in cardiac disease, how facemasks can help protect us by limiting the spread from others and how the infection is affecting care homes. In our in-depth section we thin...
Apr 17, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 14
The latest NB Hot Topics podcast is the third Coronavirus Special: Saving Lives and the End of Life. In this edition, Neal Tucker reviews what we have learned about coronavirus this week including the clinical features which you have been reporting, anosmia as a marker of COVID-19, the controversy around the Roth test and how viral load relates to the severity of disease. In the second part, we have an in-depth look at end of life care in the community for patients with COVID-19 including helpfu...
Apr 03, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this week's NB Hot Topics Podcast Neal Tucker looks at the latest developments in the coronavirus literature including data on hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin combination treatment, why lockdown alone is not enough and why coronavirus modelling won't help us. Now that general practice is moving from the preparation phase to managing COVID-19 in the community, we focus on the clinical presentation of the disease in our patients and colleagues, and how our experiences show it differs from hospi...
Mar 27, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this week's NB Hot Topics Podcast, Neal Tucker looks at what lessons we can learn in general practice to help us prepare for and fight the coronavirus pandemic. We can learn from our international colleagues who are ahead of us on the curve, and we speak to Dr Nadege Fancy, a GP in Milan, northern Italy, about what we can expect over the next few weeks. We share how practices are adapting to meet the needs of our patients as the pandemic escalates in the UK. We review what new data we know ab...
Mar 20, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 11
With all the stress and uncertainty Coronavirus has placed on the world and the health service this special podcast Dr Neal Tucker looks how we as professionals and humans are coping with COVID-19, what we need to know from the rapid changes in guidance over the past few days, and where we may be going next. In the second half we look at what the latest science tells us about Coronavirus, how it might affect our patients and what we can do to help them and ourselves. One thing is for certain, ge...
Mar 13, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In Episode 9 of the NB Hot Topics podcast, Neal Tucker looks at the latest on coronavirus, guidance for primary care and how other countries have managed the infection. In other news he discusses the 2020 Marmot report and our patients' "Lost Decade". In new research we examine two papers in the BMJ on the role of salt reduction in hypertension and egg consumption in cardiovascular disease, plus a BJGP paper on Rapid Diagnostic Clinics for patients with vague symptoms but possible cancer. Our in...
Mar 06, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 9
