The Good GP, the education podcast for busy GPs; brought to you by Dr Tim Koh, Dr Krystyna DeLange and Dr Sean Stevens.
The Good GP is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation.
Disclaimer: The Good GP podcasts are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of a specialist GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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This episode addresses the current diphtheria outbreak in northern Australia, primarily affecting remote Aboriginal communities. Dr. Paul Effler explains diphtheria's severe throat and skin manifestations, outlining key clinical and epidemiological clues for diagnosis and the importance of culture and PCR testing. The discussion covers routine vaccination schedules, recent updates for high-risk areas, and emphasizes that while the vaccine prevents severe disease, it does not stop transmission. They conclude by highlighting the need for targeted vaccination and addressing environmental factors contributing to high rates of skin infections.
Dr. Ramya Raman and Dr. Stephen Oo explore recent changes in the Australian Asthma Handbook, emphasizing the move from SABA-only relievers to Anti-Inflammatory Reliever (AIR) therapy for adults and adolescents to combat airway inflammation. They discuss tailored preventative therapies, the nuances of asthma management in school-aged children and those under six, and critical strategies for patient education and adherence to improve outcomes across all age groups in general practice.
In this episode, Associate Professor Antonio Di Dio from the Professional Services Review shares practical advice for general practitioners on navigating Medicare compliance. Key topics include the importance of detailed, contemporaneous medical records to justify billing, understanding the 3020 rule for telehealth, and effectively using documentation templates. The discussion also covers practice systems to minimize errors, the critical need to review AI-generated notes, and the value of continuous education through MBS descriptors and peer discussions. Di Dio reassures GPs that PSR reviews are context-sensitive and aim to support, not penalize, good practice.
Dr. Maria Li and Associate Professor Antonio Di Dio discuss Medicare compliance and the Professional Services Review (PSR) in Australia. Antonio explains the PSR's independent role, detailing how reviews are triggered by data analysis or external tip-offs. The discussion covers the review process, potential outcomes including no further action or voluntary agreements, and the importance of mitigating circumstances. Crucially, the episode clarifies consequences, differentiating financial penalties from licence impacts, and offers practical advice for GPs undergoing a review.
Dr. Ashley Bowden joins The Good GP to demystify peptides, differentiating between TGA-approved medical peptides and unregulated 'research-use-only' substances promoted in fitness circles. The discussion delves into the varied demographics of users, from gym-goers to young adults influenced by social media, highlighting the scarcity of robust evidence for unregulated peptides and the associated health risks, including injection complications and unknown product contents. A key focus is a practical, non-judgmental harm-minimisation approach for GPs to build rapport, monitor patients, and support their overall health when discussing peptide use.
Dr. Natasha Gorrie and Dr. Krystyna De Lange explore cardiac amyloidosis, emphasizing it's an umbrella term for conditions involving abnormal protein deposits. They detail key clinical red flags for GPs, the crucial diagnostic pathway involving timely specialist referral and specific screening, and available disease-modifying treatments. The discussion underscores the GP's pivotal role in early suspicion, coordinated multidisciplinary care, and ongoing management of this complex, multi-system condition to enhance patient quality and quantity of life.
Dr. Tim Koh and Dr. Grace Phua discuss the escalating syphilis epidemiology in Australia, highlighting its spread beyond traditional risk groups to affect any sexually active patient. They detail various clinical presentations, from primary ulcers to atypical rashes and neurological symptoms, stressing the importance of considering syphilis as a 'great masquerader.' The discussion also covers essential screening guidelines, including PCR testing for ulcers and specific recommendations for pregnant individuals and high-risk groups, alongside a thorough guide to interpreting syphilis serology and administering the recommended penicillin treatment, emphasizing contact tracing and follow-up.
In this episode of The Good GP, host Julia Rawlinson welcomes Dr Erin Horsley, an experienced GP anaesthetist, to provide practical guidance on pre-anaesthetic medication management for general practitioners. Focusing on how to prepare patients for elective surgery by knowing which medications to pause, continue, or adjust. Highlights include: SGLT2 inhibitors: Advice on withholding these medications prior to surgery, especially for diabetic patients, due to risk of euglycaemic diabetic ketoacid...
In this episode, Julia Rawlinson speaks with Professor Paul Little, is a Professor of Primary Care Research at the University of Southampton and a practising GP with over 20 years of clinical experience, about his landmark research on acute respiratory tract infections and its relevance for general practice. Professor Little summarises the Lancet Respiratory Medicine trial involving nearly 14,000 participants at risk of respiratory infections. The trial compared usual care, two nasal sprays (Vic...
In this episode of This Could Save Your Life podcast, Dr Catherine Bourke discusses the new lung cancer screening program in Australia and its importance for early cancer detection. Dr Bourke explains that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in Australia, largely because most cases are detected too late. She reviews recent evidence supporting screening, such as the Nelson Study and National Lung Screening Trial, which show significant reductions in mortality with the us...
In this episode, Dr Krystyna de Lange is once again joined by Dr Karen Spielman and Dr Rachel Kalman, GPs with a special interest in eating disorders, for part two of this series on eating disorders. Their conversation centres on the ongoing management of patients with eating disorders in general practice. Dr Kalman provides guidance on the frequency and nature of medical monitoring, including when to order blood tests and ECGs. Dr Spielman discusses how to assess and respond to medical instabil...
In this episode, Dr Krystyna de Lange speaks with Dr Karen Spielman and Dr Rachel Kalman about the screening and assessment of eating disorders in general practice. This is the first episode of a two part series on eating disorders. Both Dr Spielman and Dr Kalman have a special interest in psychological medicine, specifically eating disorders and work with the Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders. In this episode, there is a discussion about the importance of early recognition and intervent...
Dr. Jonathan Mitchell discusses MASLD, formerly NAFLD, highlighting its reclassification as a metabolic disease best managed holistically in primary care. The episode covers key risk factors, a comprehensive diagnostic approach including non-invasive fibrosis assessment, and the central role of lifestyle interventions for management. It underscores the broad metabolic complications beyond liver harm, reinforcing the importance of early detection and GP involvement.
Drs. Anna Mullins and Catherine Bourke detail the crucial elements of the first antenatal visit, emphasizing early care, comprehensive medical history, and necessary screenings. They discuss managing existing conditions, preventative health advice including supplementation and infection avoidance, and lifestyle factors like exercise and nutrition. The episode highlights the importance of multidisciplinary care involving GPs, physios, and other specialists for optimal maternal and child health outcomes.
This episode explores the critical and expanding role of general practitioners in managing ADHD across Australia. Dr. John Kramer discusses the recent Victorian reforms enabling specialist GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD, highlighting the need for national consistency amidst varying state regulations. Practical advice for GPs is provided, emphasizing detailed patient history, comorbidity identification, and available training resources, encouraging greater GP involvement for better patient outcomes.
Dr. Sean Stevens and Professor Nick Zwar explore the evolution of travel medicine in Australia after the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss how practitioners adapted during the travel halt, the enthusiastic return to international travel, including higher-risk activities, and patient attitudes towards health risks. The episode also covers the continuing role of telehealth, practical lessons for GP clinics, and future challenges like changing disease patterns, antimicrobial resistance, and advising immunocompromised travelers.
In this episode of The Good GP, Dr Krystyna de Lange is joined by Anisa Varasteh, a clinical sexologist, psychotherapist, and former president of the Society of Australian Sexologists, to discuss the topic of female sexual dysfunction and its management in general practice. Anisa Varasteh provides a thorough overview of the multifaceted nature of female sexual dysfunction, emphasising the complex interplay between biological, psychological, relational, and social factors. Highlighting the impact...
In this episode of This Could Save Your Life Podcast, hosts Dr Catherine Bourke and Dr Anna Mullins provide an overview of preconception care, and the key considerations for GPs when supporting patients who are planning a pregnancy. Key discussion points include: Initial Assessment: Consider age, reproductive history, and duration of attempts to conceive. Referral for fertility investigation recommended for women over 35 trying for 6 months, or any age trying for 12 months, or women aged 40+. Re...
In this episode of The Good GP podcast, Dr Ramya Raman, Vice President of the RACGP and GP, is joined by Dr Sean Stevens, Chair of the RACGP Digital Health and Innovation Specific Interest Group, and Dr Amandeep Hansra, Deputy Chair and esteemed digital health expert, for a discussion about the upcoming RACGP Hackathon event. Beginning with the introduction of what a hackathon is, particularly in the context of general practice. Dr Amandeep describes hackathons as intensive, collaborative events...
In this episode, host Dr Maria Li is joined by Dr Parth Shah, an adult and paediatric ophthalmologist based in Canberra and Sydney, to discuss paediatric squints, also known as paediatric strabismus. Beginning with an overview of why paediatric squints can seem daunting for general practitioners, and the importance of a systematic approach to assessment. Outlining GPs responsibilities when encountering a child with possible eye misalignment: diagnosing whether a true squint or pseudo-squint is p...
In this episode, host Dr Sean Stevens is joined by Dr Paul Effler, Senior Medical Advisor at the WA Department of Health and Adjunct Dr at the University of Western Australia. Dr Effler is an experienced public health physician with extensive expertise in vaccine safety surveillance and has been a longstanding member of the WHO Global Advisory Committee for Vaccine Safety. They explore the use of intranasal vaccines for influenza and COVID-19, which are now available in Australia. Dr Effler expl...
In this episode of This Could Save Your Life Podcast, hosts Dr Catherine Bourke and Dr Anna Mullins discuss Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Australia. Providing an in-depth, evidence-based overview tailored for general practitioners. Key discussion points include: Epidemiology: Chlamydia remains highly prevalent in Australia, with over 100,000 recorded cases in 2024. The majority of cases occur in individuals aged 15 to 29. Clinical Presentation: Th...
In this episode of The Good GP, host Dr Tim Koh is joined by Dr Jeff Ecker, an orthopaedic surgeon with over 35 years of experience specialising in complex hand and wrist conditions. Focusing on the assessment and management of finger fractures, an injury commonly encountered by general practitioners, but often associated with diagnostic dilemmas and management challenges. Dr Ecker highlights the potential seriousness of finger fractures, noting that even minor injuries can result in permanent i...
In this episode of The Good GP Podcast, host Dr Tim Koh is joined by Dr Jeff Ecker, an experienced orthopaedic surgeon based in Perth, to discuss the complexities of assessing and managing wrist conditions in general practice. Dr Ecker outlines the importance of a thorough history and clinical assessment in patients presenting with wrist pain, emphasising that pain may originate from structures beyond the wrist itself, such as the distal radioulnar joint or even referred from the neck. He highli...
In this episode of The Good GP Podcast, host Dr Tim Koh is joined by Dr Jeff Ecker, an experienced orthopaedic surgeon based in Perth with over 35 years of expertise in complex hand and wrist conditions. Discussing the assessment and management of wrist fractures, with advice tailored for general practitioners. Exploring the most common wrist fractures encountered in general practice, particularly among older adults after low-energy falls. Dr Ecker emphasises a careful history and examination, a...
In this episode of The Good GP, host Dr Krystyna de Lange is joined by Dr Tegan Allin, rural generalist and GP obstetrician from Thursday Island live from the GP25 Conference, to discuss the topic of foetal rhesus screening and recent changes in Australian guidelines. They began with an overview of anti-D prophylaxis and its importance for women who are rhesus negative. Dr Tegan Allin explains the pathophysiology of rhesus disease, risks associated with sensitisation during pregnancy, and the tr...
In this episode of The Good GP, host Dr Sean Stevens is joined by Dr Terri-Lynne South live from the GP25 Conference, to deliver an overview of obesity management, with a specific focus on the use of GLP-1 and GIP dual incretin therapies in general practice. Dr Terri-Lynne South outlines the current Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-approved indications for these treatments in Australia. These include use in patients with type 2 diabetes, overweight with complications, chronic kidney diseas...
In this episode of This Could Save Your Life Podcast, hosts Dr Anna Mullins and Dr Catherine Bourke provide a comprehensive overview of cervical cancer screening and prevention. They start with the epidemiology of cervical cancer, outlining that it affects approximately 1 in 175 women or people with a cervix. Explaining the anatomy of the cervix and discussing the primary cause of cervical cancer: human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. They clarify that while HPV is very common and transmitted th...
In this episode of the Good GP, host Dr Maria Li welcomes back Dr Katherine Wyld, endocrinologist, for the third and final part of the series on hormone pseudoscience. Focusing on adrenal hormone-related misinformation, commonly encountered both in general practice and on social media. Dr Wyld tackles the adrenal hormone-related prevalent misinformations, including: The widespread misinformation about adrenal hormones, especially related to cortisol, circulating on social media and online platfo...
In this episode of The Good GP, host Dr Maria Li continues her conversation with Dr Katherine Wyld, a Queensland-based endocrinologist, exploring the topic of menopause pseudoscience and its impact on patient care. This second part in the hormones series explores the growing prevalence of misinformation around menopause and hormone therapy, and practical guidance for general practitioners. Dr Wyld discusses several areas of menopause care commonly affected by false or misleading information, inc...
