NB Hot Topics Podcast

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 F...

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...

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...

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 old...

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 t...

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 G...

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 o...

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...

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...

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...

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 u...

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 qualit...

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 ot...

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...

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 d...

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 path...

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 i...

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...

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,...

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 c...

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...

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 be...

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...

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...

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 cholestero...