Spoonful of Medicine

Ever wondered how a tiny hole in the heart can cause such a problem for the patient? In this episode, we are learning about Atrial Septal Defects (ASDs), tracing that left-to-right shunt, and giving you the hole picture on the clinical presentation and management. After listening to this episode, you will certainly be able to impress your consultant in clinic and on rounds! Send us your feedback h...

That murmur you just heard, was it a harmless flow murmur or a sign of significant heart disease? Not sure, well you're in luck because in this episode we tackle one of the most common (and sometimes anxiety-inducing!) findings on an exam: a heart murmur.  Listen on as Nim break's down the clues that help distinguish innocent from pathological murmurs, with practical pearls you'll a...

This episode untangles the wild world of congenital heart defects — from cyanotic to acyanotic and everything in between. We’ll break down how to categorise, conceptualise, and actually remember these lesions! Send us your feedback here! Follow us on Instagram @spoonful.of.medicine  Contact us at spoonfulofmedicinepodcast@gmail.com  Make sure to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on new e...

Join us as we explore congenital heart defects, the world’s most common birth condition. In this episode, we unpack the epidemiology of CHD and then dive into how we detect CHD, from prenatal ultrasounds to newborn screening, and beyond.  Send us your feedback here! Follow us on Instagram @spoonful.of.medicine  Contact us at spoonfulofmedicinepodcast@gmail.com  Make sure to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you...

Nim chats with Dr Lloyd Snook (Paediatric Advanced Trainee passionate about adolescent and young adult medicine) about what the HEADSS screen. They cover what the HEADSS assessment involves, why it matters, and practical tips for building rapport, asking sensitive questions, and making these conversations feel natural in everyday paediatric practice.  Send us your feedback here! Follow us on Insta...

In episode 3 of 3 in the communication and palliative care series, Dr Daniel Dorevitch (General Paediatrician and Paediatric Palliative Care Trainee) breaks down how Advanced Care Planning differs between adult and paediatric practice, what it actually involves, and how to approach these conversations in real clinical settings.  Perfect for paediatric clinicians and students, this chat offers prac...

What is paediatric palliative care? What does it involve? And how do children understand death?  In this episode, Dr Daniel Dorevitch (General Paediatrician and Paediatric Palliative Care Trainee) joins us to explore this essential, and often unfamiliar field. We cover what palliative care in paediatrics is, why it matters, and practical resources for clinicians. It is an informative must-listen f...

Great communication in healthcare can be a true superpower. In this episode, Dr Daniel Dorevitch (General Paediatrician and Paediatric Palliative Care Trainee) joins us to unpack why communication matters. He also gives us practical tools to improve our conversations with patients and families, and guides us towards resources we can use to further our learning. Links to Resources:  Vital Talk - ht...

Medicine is tiring and this whole doctor-ing thing can be exhausting. So why when we need to take time out is it so hard to do so? I took time off training last year, and had a lot to ponder about. So, listen as I read my article originally written and published in AusDoc about The Rest Dilemma: Why Doctors Struggle to Take a Break.  Link to the article is available below:  I needed a break from m...

Join as Nim dives nose-first into the sneezy, sniffly world of allergic rhinitis — that all-too-familiar combo of itchy eyes, runny nose, and a whole lot of achoo-ing!  Listen on as she unpacks what’s happening inside those inflamed nasal passages, how it presents clinically, and how to manage it. Grab your headphones because it’s time to clear the air on allergies!  ASCIA Clinical Update Allergic...

In this episode of A Spoonful of Medicine , we chat with fellow Paediatric AT Dr Nicola Bobeldyk about eczema in children. We cover presentation, triggers, superinfection, and both acute and everyday management, sharing practical pearls to help you support families dealing with this common paediatric condition.  Links to guidelines used:  Eczema – Emergency management in children | Children's...

It's time to learn all about food allergies!! Nim is joined by fellow Paediatric AT (and proud EpiPen carrier) Dr Brandon Lo to unpack food allergies in children. This episode is jam-packed covering epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis, management (emergency and long term), and prevention. All the while, the duo shares practical insights for clinicians caring for kids with allergies.  The in...

Australia needs more GPs, they are the true generalists, and are the cornerstone of our healthcare system. So, why aren't more people going into GP? Another Article episode, this time exploring the barriers that exist that prevent junior doctors and medical students from pursuing general practice.  Listen as Nim reads her article originally written and published in AusDoc. Link to the article...

Listen on to learn all about CMPI, a common condition that you will encounter no matter where you work in paediatrics. We go through what it is, how it presents, how to diagnose it and how it is managed. So what are you waiting for? Let's Mooooo-ve on to it! Resources:  Clinical Practice Guidelines : Non-IgE mediated food allergy Cow's milk protein (dairy) and soy - Australasian Society...

This episode another Article Read. Many of the doctors working in the health system are what we call "Unaccredited Registrars", and the challenges they face can be tough. Listen as Nim reads her article originally written and published in AusDoc about Unaccredited Registrars and how there needs to be a better way when it comes to training.  Link to the article is available below:  Unaccr...

Listen along to learn about the updates to RSV vaccination as they pertain to pregnant people and babies. Find out who is eligible, how it works, why it is helpful and what the evidence is telling us (SPOILER: It is really beneficial!). This is a really handy episode for anyone involved in taking care of mums and bubs, or involved in counselling about the RSV vaccine.  References: RSV: an update o...

This episode is a little different from the others. With the recent protests by doctors in NSW, and the discussions about Medicare and the reimbursements for doctors, it seemed like an apt time to re-examine what the cost of being a doctor is. And, with workforce issues, pay, working conditions and non-doctor scope creep - is the price it takes to become a doctor indeed worth it anymore?  Listen a...

This episode looks at something that’s commonly brought up in clinics and can feel deceptively simple yet confusing: short stature .  Join Nim as she discusses how to approach the assessment, when to suspect an underlying issue, and what investigations to consider.  Send us your feedback here! Follow us on Instagram @spoonful.of.medicine  Contact us at spoonfulofmedicinepodcast@gmail.com  Make sur...

This episode tackles a trio of tricky but important conditions: Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH), Diabetes Insipidus (DI) and Cerebral Salt Wasting (CSW) . They can look similar on paper, but are different entities, and require completely different management —so getting the diagnosis right and knowing what to do is crucial. In this episode, we unpack: The pathophys...

In this episode we focus on BETA THALESSEMIA. We break down the presentation, genetics, pathophysiology and clinical presentation. We then explore the management and prognosis. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, student, or someone interested in medical science, this episode provides key insights to gain a deeper understanding of this important condition.  Send us your feedback here! Follow...

In the following 2 episodes we are taking a look at Thalassemias.  In this episode we focus on ALPHA THALESSEMIA. We break down the presentation, genetics, pathophysiology and clinical presentation. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply curious, this episode provides key insights into managing and understanding alpha thalassemia.  Send us your feedback here! Follow us...

Listen on as Nim discusses the topic of Infantile Spasms. Learn about what they are, why we get worried about them, how to work up a patient with IS and what the treatment and prognosis for those with it.  Send us your feedback here! Follow us on Instagram @spoonful.of.medicine  Contact us at spoonfulofmedicinepodcast@gmail.com  Make sure to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on new episo...

After seeing an interesting case, Nim shares all she learnt about Tick Paralysis. She covers presentation, investigations, pathophysiology and management, and ties them all together with a clinical scenario! Send us your feedback here! Follow us on Instagram @spoonful.of.medicine  Contact us at spoonfulofmedicinepodcast@gmail.com  Make sure to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on new epi...

By popular demand, in the first 3 episodes of the year we are revisiting the RACP Exam series. In Episode 3 of 3, join me and Dr Kriscara (now a Paediatric Renal Fellow) as we discuss how we approached the preparation towards the RACP Short Case Clinical examination. We chat about ways we practiced individually and as a group, how to sharpen your examination skills, and what we did to help us get...

By popular demand, in the first 3 episodes of the year we are revisiting the RACP Exam series. In Episode 2, join me and Dr Kriscara (now a Paediatric Renal Fellow) as we discuss how we approached the lead up to the RACP Long Case Clinical examination. We chat about learning to do long cases, how to practice them effectively, and how to maximize your time in order to present them with finesse.  Se...