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...
Sep 15, 2023•22 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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. www.nbmedical.com/podcast...
Aug 11, 2023•4 min•Season 4Ep. 16
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 throug...
Jul 21, 2023•17 min•Season 4Ep. 15
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 device ...
Jun 30, 2023•26 min•Season 4Ep. 14
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 BM...
Jun 09, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 13
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 committe...
May 12, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 12
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 what ...
Apr 20, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 11
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 class of ...
Mar 31, 2023•27 min•Season 4Ep. 10
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 paper on...
Mar 10, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 9
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 prediction...
Feb 17, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 8
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 you h...
Jan 27, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 7
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 www.nbmedical.com/podcast
Dec 23, 2022•2 min•Season 4Ep. 6
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 Infla...
Dec 02, 2022•26 min•Season 4Ep. 5
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 your sp...
Nov 18, 2022•28 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Welcome to a new NB Hot Topics Podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. Amongst all the political turmoil, healthcare must go on. In this episode, we look at: The new government report (someone's still working, for better or for worse) on the Future of General Practice The implications practices need to be aware of for Patient Record Access starting 1st November New research on the best time to take BP meds and whether cardiovascular screening using CTs & more is helpful. References : Future of GP Repor...
Oct 21, 2022•26 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Welcome to the new Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. After a whirlwind week where general practice has been populistically politicised on all sides, in this episode we stay on safer ground and look at new research. The BMJ highlights the future risk of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease after gestational diabetes, even without overt diabetes, but offers some good news regarding the optimisation of risk factors. JAMA introduces roflumilast for chronic psoriasis, as a cream,...
Sep 30, 2022•20 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Welcome back to the new series of the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. A sober start with the death of the Queen yesterday and reflecting on the pressures of general practice and the profoundly sad story of Gail Milligan. But the progress of medicine never stops and there is research to discuss: Papers in the BMJ on whether artificial sweeteners cause harm, and whether supplementing vitamin D really does reduce respiratory and covid infection risk. A Lancet paper on autoim...
Sep 09, 2022•23 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Welcome to a new Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. It's the summer holidays! We hope a little pressure is off at your practices and you might even get a break yourself. In this podcast, we discuss the latest news including whether GPs simply aren't working hard enough and debate a £10 charge for DNAs. In research, we look at new data from JAMA suggesting patients are at increased risk of MI shortly after a flare of gout, a fantastic paper in the BJGP presenting data showing...
Aug 03, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Welcome to another Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker leading you through the latest news and research in general practice. Of course, we must touch on the demise of Boris Johnson and how he might still be in power if he'd just learned a thing or two from general practice. Meanwhile, in research, we look at prescribing trends in anxiety disorders, whether bariatric surgery can reduce cancer risk in overweight people, and two papers on covid vaccination against Omicron, first ...
Jul 08, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 14
In this new episode of the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical. Dr Neal Tucker reflects on a busy week in the politics of UK general practice: "plans for change" from the English health secretary, but the head of primary care for NHSE says partnerships aren't going anywhere. Meanwhile, Panorama highlights the challenges for private companies running NHS GP practices. Where will it all end up? Answers on an e-consult, or email us at hottopics@nbmedical.com. Meanwhile, there is some research! Impor...
Jun 17, 2022•24 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Welcome to the latest Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. This week we think about monkeypox. Do we need to worry? What do we need to look out for? Can my pet rat give it to me? Beyond a disease very few of us are likely to ever see, we look at new research on improving mobility in people with frailty and sarcopenia - can exercise classes and nutrition make a real-world difference? We consider a BJGP paper on preventative medicine - why don't we do more, what are the barriers and what really...
May 25, 2022•21 min•Season 3Ep. 12
In the latest Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical Dr Neal Tucker discusses the latest research important in primary care and interviews two experts in improving asthma care and sustainable healthcare. In new research we examine: The role of self-monitoring of BP in women with hypertension or higher risk of pre-eclampsia - does it provide early detection? Do ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitor provide additional real-world benefits over statins alone? Which is best? Can an oral biological agent, baricit...
May 06, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Welcome to another Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker . In this busy edition, we discuss whether national guidelines are affected by bias against race or ethnicity, potentially driving health inequalities. GP and researcher Dr Dipesh Gopal joins us for an interview to examine issues around NICE hypertension guidance. In new research, we have papers on whether a 4th covid vaccine dose actually provides additional protection, how long patients remain at increased risk from acute covid complica...
Apr 08, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In the Hot Topics podcast, Neal Tucker discusses the latest primary care news and research. This week: Reflecting on NHS England's PCN stipulations - general practice finds itself in a lose-lose situation. Is it a coincidence it comes just as a think tank backed by the health secretary pushes for all GPs to be salaried? Research: Hamsters can give you covid. What should we do? Lancet The Triple F*** Syndrome - a different way to think about personality disorder? BJGP What do young people with me...
Mar 18, 2022•22 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In the latest Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker, we reflect on the government removing covid measures and how this affects general practice. In research, we have a look at a timely BMJ paper on the accuracy of lateral flow tests? As we prepare to stop testing, does the data provide us with some reassurance? We also have a look at a new way of assessing the risk of DVT and whether it can safely identify low-risk patients and reduce referral rates. And remember Zika? A new paper in the NEJM h...
Feb 25, 2022•19 min•Season 3Ep. 8
After not being out the house for 13 days due to him and the kids having covid, Neal Tucker uses the Hot Topics podcast for a bit of escapism. Apart from singing the blues, in this podcast we discuss the latest medical news including reports of racism in the NHS, government calls for nationalisation of general practice and the negative effects of pandemic priorities on routine care from the National Diabetes Audit. Meanwhile in the journals we look at two papers demonstrating the effectiveness o...
Feb 04, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Happy New Year! Welcome to a new episode of the Hot Topics podcast with Neal Tucker. In this episode, we have a look at research that states the obvious (non-covid infections went down during lockdowns) and why we feel the need to formalise it. We also look at new research suggesting a shorter duration of anticoagulation may be appropriate after provoked VTE in younger people. We have new research showing the benefits of thrombectomy after stroke for well beyond a 6-hour window. We also have res...
Jan 14, 2022•18 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Welcome everyone to the last Hot Topics podcast for 2021! In this episode Neal Tucker discusses the omicron variant, the cancelling of the festive season for general practice and the effectiveness of vaccines and boosters. While it doesn't feel like there's much cheer at the moment he also reflects on our achievements this year and reasons for us to hold our heads up high. Plus he tries to write music again - stick around to the end for the Omicron carol - it is Christmas after all. Merry Christ...
Dec 16, 2021•15 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Welcome back to another Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Everyone in his family has a cold - is this the anticipated surge in respiratory tract infections we've expected to see or could it have a simpler explanation? We also look at the new draft Depression guideline from NICE, asking can we deliver the promises, long covid guidance in the knowledge we can't and new data on the effectiveness of inflatable intragastric balloon bariatric surgery. References RCGP Weekly RTI r...
Nov 26, 2021•21 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this latest Hot Topics Podcast, Dr Neal Tucker reflects on the NHSE Rescue Package and asks if we are going to strike are we clear what we want general practice to be? Time for us to make up our minds. In research we look at multimorbidity clusters and consultation rates - how should this influence funding? Also a ray of hope for patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction with empagliflozin - but is it as good as it appears to be? And two papers on AF screening including impl...
Oct 22, 2021•20 min•Season 3Ep. 3
