GPnotebook Podcast GPnotebook

In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson discusses the treatment pathway for people suffering from hay fever. This comprises options ranging from simple measures for allergen avoidance to the treatments to consider for specific symptoms and when to refer for specialist advice and consideration of immunotherapy.

In this episode, which has been recorded for Chronic Conditions Month 2022, Dr Peter Bagshaw (Clinical Lead in Dementia and Mental Health, South Glos CCG) and Dr Rob Hampton (Portfolio GP, Leicestershire) discuss the prescribing of medicines associated with dependence and approaches to their withdrawal. Is there a link between deprivation and long-term use of pain medications? What is the role of "sensitisation" in primary pain conditions? What are the particular challenges associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal? What alternatives should we be considering?

In this episode, which has been recorded for Chronic Conditions Month 2022, Dr Rob Hampton (Portfolio GP, Leicestershire) and Dr Yassir Javaid (Cardiovascular and Diabetes Lead, Northamptonshire CCG) discuss the "neglected chronic condition" that is heart valve disease and the new NICE guideline covering its investigation and management in adults. Why can we expect an increase in cases over the coming years? What is the importance of timely diagnosis and referral? In which patients is a murmur more likely to represent a valve lesion? When should an electrocardiogram be recommended? How effective are current management options? What is best practice for follow-up?

In this episode, which has been recorded for Chronic Conditions Month 2022, Dr Steve Holmes (GP, Shepton Mallet and Clinical Respiratory Lead, NHS England South West and NHS Somerset) and Dr Sarah Davies (GPwSI in Diabetes, Cardiff) discuss non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the context of diabetes. How is NAFLD best detected, diagnosed and managed in high-risk populations? How can primary care professionals identify those who are at risk of fibrosis?

In this episode, which has been recorded for Chronic Conditions Month 2022, Dr Yassir Javaid (Cardiovascular and Diabetes Lead, Northamptonshire CCG) and Dr Patrick Holmes (GP, Darlington) examine the latest developments in renal medicine, with a focus on assessing and managing chronic kidney disease (CKD). What role do sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have in the management of the condition, both in people with diabetes and those without diabetes?

In this episode, which has been recorded for Chronic Conditions Month 2022, Dr Anthony Cunliffe (Macmillan National Clinical Adviser for Primary Care) and Dr Peter Bagshaw (Clinical Lead in Dementia and Mental Health, South Glos CCG) discuss the exacerbation of health inequalities related to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on cancer services. Which common avoidable cancers and their risk factors might be related to health inequalities? What can primary care professionals do to address the issue?