RCP Medicine Podcast

Royal College of Physicians
  • 4.8 (176)
  • Medicine
  • Monthly

The RCP Medicine podcast is a discussion of different topics relevant to physicians. Episodes discuss and explore different topics including real-life clinical cases, new evidence-based guidelines and specific physician issues in the modern healthcare environment. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the presenters and not necessarily the RCP. 

  1. 18 Jun

    Episode 107: The heart of the matter: air quality beyond the lungs.

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, respiratory consultant and clinical lead for environmental sustainability Dr Thom Daniels joins host Dr David Charles to explore why air quality should be treated as a core clinical issue rather than a distant environmental concern. Drawing on landmark coroner’s cases, including the deaths of Ella Adoo Kissi Debrah and Awaab Ishak, they examine how outdoor and indoor pollution contribute to asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia and health inequalities across the life course. The discussion covers practical ways to ask about air quality in consultations, from unexplained coughs to secondary prevention clinics, and sets out simple, evidence informed advice clinicians can offer to patients. They also consider policy and global perspectives, racial and social justice dimensions, and how clinicians can support patients who feel fatalistic about the environment. Resources  https://www.rcp.ac.uk/policy-and-campaigns/policy-documents/a-breath-of-fresh-air-responding-to-the-health-challenges-of-modern-air-pollution/  https://www.rcp.ac.uk/news-and-media/news-and-opinion/air-pollution-linked-to-30-000-uk-deaths-in-2025-and-costs-the-economy-and-nhs-billions-warns-royal-college-of-physicians/ https://www.rcp.ac.uk/media/5r2kmmi4/rcp-full-report-a-breath-of-fresh-air-responding-to-the-health-challenges-of-modern-air-pollution.pdf The RCP’s six-step programme for the new consultant | RCP Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage Education and professional development Leadership CPD Teach the teacher Educational supervisor Six-step programme  RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Bluesky Music Ep 50 onward - Bensound.com   Ep 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas  Any adverts within this podcast may use computer generated voices

    41 min

  2. 21 May

    Episode 106: Routes, Rights and Resilience: The Realities of Migrant Health and the power of community

    In this powerful and timely episode, Dr Ahmed Seedat — respiratory and general internal medicine consultant, global health specialist, and former policy fellow — joins Dr Krishna Misra, an experienced GP in inclusion health, for an in‑depth exploration of migrant and refugee health. Together with host Dr Rohan Mehra, they unpack the realities facing displaced populations today: from the impact of geopolitical instability and the climate emergency, to the language and stigma shaping public attitudes, to the structural barriers embedded within UK health systems. Through expert insight and frontline experience, the conversation delves into the drivers of forced migration, the consequences of restricted safe routes, the challenges created by the UK asylum backlog, and the complex interplay between trauma, mental health, and chronic disease. Importantly, the episode also highlights a successful collaborative model between primary and secondary care in South East London — demonstrating the power of relationships, community, and advocacy to improve outcomes for some of the most marginalised people in society. Listeners will leave with a richer understanding of migrant health, actionable advice for clinicians, and a hopeful reminder that community truly is a superpower. Resources Doctors of the World: Advice line - Doctors of the World urgent_care_guidelines.pdf  Home 2026 | Refugee Week BMA: Refugee and asylum seeker health resource updated 2025 BMJ: Knights F, Munir S, Ahmed H, Hargreaves S. Initial health assessments for newly arrived migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers BMJ 2022 Initial health assessments for newly arrived migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers | The BMJ Other Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs The RCP’s six-step programme for the new consultant | RCP Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage Education and professional development Leadership CPD Teach the teacher Educational supervisor Six-step programme  RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Bluesky Music Ep 50 onward - Bensound.com   Ep 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas  Any adverts within this podcast may use computer generated voices

    1hr 33min

  3. 6 May

    Episode 105: Heat, Health, and Humanitarian Crises: How Climate Shapes Global Disease

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Dr Aula Abbara, consultant in infectious diseases and internal medicine at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and an infectious diseases and malaria advisor to MSF Amsterdam, joins Dr Bryony Alderman, palliative medicine consultant and RCP Sustainability Education Fellow. Together, they explore how climate change is reshaping global health, with a particular focus on infectious diseases, health inequalities, forced displacement, and the increasingly complex connections between environment, conflict, and disease transmission. Resources MSF UK | Médecins Sans Frontières The RCP’s six-step programme for the new consultant | RCP Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage Education and professional development Leadership CPD Teach the teacher Educational supervisor Six-step programme  RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Bluesky Music Ep 50 onward - Bensound.com   Ep 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas  Any adverts within this podcast may use computer generated voices

    37 min

  4. 15 Apr

    Episode 104: Chronic Kidney Disease: What Every Clinician Needs to Know

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Professor Jeremy Levy, consultant nephrologist in London, joins Dr Alex Crowe, consultant physician in Liverpool, for an insightful and practical conversation about chronic kidney disease (CKD). Together, they explore why CKD is so common, and often silent. How to distinguish acute from chronic kidney problems, and which investigations matter most. The discussion also highlights the growing importance of cardiorenal metabolic medicine, offering clinicians a clear approach to assessing risk, optimising treatment, and supporting long‑term health. From EGFR trends to SGLT2 inhibitors, from lifestyle change to coding accuracy, this episode provides an essential, up‑to‑date guide for managing CKD in everyday practice. Resources  For kidney sake podcast:  Home | ForKidneysSake.com  Excellent resources on CKD here from NHS NW London:  Chronic kidney disease NICE guidelines: Overview | Chronic kidney disease: assessment and management | Guidance | NICE  Hypertension in CKD from UK kidney association  FINAL UKKA NICE-KDIGO commentary December 2022.pdf Exercise and Lifestyle in CKD from UK kidney association   Exercise and Lifestyle in CKD clinical practice guideline33_v4_FINAL_0.pdf  SGLT2i in CKD  from UK kidney association  Sodium Glucose Co transporter 2 - UK Kidney Association. KDIGO (international) guidelines on CKD management   CKD Evaluation and Management – KDIGO KIDGO prognosis of CKD by Albuminuria Categories: KIDGO 2012 S126 American Diabetes Association guidelines including CKD   Volume 48 Issue Supplement_1 | Diabetes Care | American Diabetes Association For Kidneys Sake For Kidneys Sake is a clinician-led podcast from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and North West London Integrated Care Board, offering practical, evidence-based insight into chronic kidney disease and cardio-renal care. Through short, accessible conversations with experts across primary and secondary care, the series supports shared learning on CKD detection, risk management and integrated patient care. The podcast is for GPs, pharmacists, nurses and multidisciplinary teams, and is relevant for clinicians, patients and anyone interested in improving kidney health. The RCP’s six-step programme for the new consultant | RCP Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage Education and professional development Leadership CPD Teach the teacher Educational supervisor Six-step programme  RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Bluesky Music Ep 50 onward - Bensound.com   Ep 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas  Any adverts within this podcast may use computer generated voices

    41 min

  5. 1 Apr

    Episode 103: Modern Palliative Care: its Evolving Role, Individualised Prescribing and Honest Conversations at the End of Life

    In this episode, Dr Bryony Alderman, palliative care consultant and RCP sustainability clinical education fellow, joins Dr Vasiliki Thanopoulou, rheumatology registrar and RCP clinical education fellow, for a wide‑ranging discussion demystifying modern palliative care. Together they explore how the specialty has evolved beyond end‑of‑life support, highlighting early integration, symptom management across disease groups, and the importance of compassionate, individualised care. The conversation dives deep into practical clinical considerations: appropriate timing of referrals, anticipatory prescribing, managing medications in renal/hepatic failure, handling chronic disease therapies at the end of life, and common misconceptions around syringe drivers. They also discuss communication challenges, including uncertainty in prognostication, hydration and nutrition decisions, and supporting families during difficult conversations. This is an essential episode for clinicians looking to enhance confidence and skill in end‑of‑life care, while keeping person‑centred care at the heart of practice. Resources  https://www.spict.org.uk/ Lee C, Tran TT, Ross J Anticipatory prescribing in community end-of-life care BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 2024;14:353-357 https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/professionals/resources/nil-mouth-medication-dose-calculators-and-guidelines https://www.diabetes.org.uk/for-professionals/improving-care/clinical-recommendations-for-professionals/diagnosis-ongoing-management-monitoring/end-of-life-care https://www.nacel.nhs.uk/about-nacel Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage Education and professional development Leadership CPD Teach the teacher Educational supervisor Six-step programme  RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Bluesky Music Ep 50 onward - Bensound.com   Ep 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas  Any adverts within this podcast may use computer generated voices

    51 min

  6. 11 Mar

    Episode 102: Alcohol-related hepatitis: Diagnosis, Management and Future of care

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Professor Ewan Forrest, Consultant Hepatologist at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, joins Dr Jennifer Tham, Gastroenterology Trainee in the West of Scotland, to explore the diagnosis and management of alcohol related hepatitis. A common but often misunderstood emergency presentation.   Through a detailed case, they unpack diagnostic challenges, key blood markers, distinguishing features from decompensated cirrhosis, and the practical steps clinicians should take in the first 72–96 hours. The episode also demystifies prognostic scoring systems, steroid use, nutritional support, and the future direction of ARH research and management. Note: This recording was made in 2025. In March 2026 NHS Blood and Transplant agreed to a further pilot of liver transplantation for selected patients with Alcohol-related hepatitis.   The RCP’s six-step programme for the new consultant | RCP Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage Education and professional development Leadership CPD Teach the teacher Educational supervisor Six-step programme  RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Bluesky Music Ep 50 onward - Bensound.com   Ep 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas  Any adverts within this podcast may use computer generated voices

    48 min

  7. 25 Feb

    Episode 101: Acute Liver Failure: Differentials, Deterioration and Decisive Action

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, transplant hepatologist Dr Mhairi Donnelly joins gastroenterology trainee Dr Jennifer Tham to explore the high‑stakes world of acute liver failure. Through a detailed case of a young woman presenting with severe transaminitis and paracetamol toxicity, Mhairi and Jennifer guide listeners through the crucial steps in recognising acute liver injury, identifying early markers of deterioration, and escalating care at the right time. The discussion covers the most common causes of acute liver failure in the UK, how to interpret markedly raised transaminases, the role of NAC beyond confirmed paracetamol toxicity, the importance of monitoring lactate and INR trends, management of hepatic encephalopathy in acute liver failure, and how psychiatric assessment influences transplant suitability. A must‑listen for anyone managing acutely unwell medical patients or seeking to deepen their understanding of this life‑threatening condition. The RCP’s six-step programme for the new consultant | RCP Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage Education and professional development Leadership CPD Teach the teacher Educational supervisor Six-step programme  RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Bluesky Music Ep 50 onward - Bensound.com   Ep 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas  Any adverts within this podcast may use computer generated voices

    42 min

  8. 20 Jan

    Episode 100: Shaping the Future of Medical Training: Insights from the Next Generation Oversight Group

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, we explore the pressing challenges facing resident doctors in the NHS and the transformative work of the Next Generation campaign. Joining us is Professor Mumtaz Patel, President of the Royal College of Physicians, Vice President for Education and Training, and Chair of the Next Generation Oversight Group. Professor Patel shares her extensive experience in medical education and workforce planning, offering candid insights into recruitment pressures, training reform, and the future of postgraduate medical education.   Alongside Professor Patel, Dr Jemima Sellicks, a resident doctor and committee representative, brings a frontline perspective on the realities of training today. Together, they discuss competition ratios, the IMT application process, exam integrity, and the results of the recent Next Generation survey, which revealed stark concerns about burnout and retention.   Whether you’re a trainee, educator, or policymaker, this episode offers practical solutions, hope for systemic change, and a call to action for shaping a fairer, more supportive training environment. The RCP’s six-step programme for the new consultant | RCP Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage Education and professional development Leadership CPD Teach the teacher Educational supervisor Six-step programme  RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Bluesky Music Ep 50 onward - Bensound.com   Ep 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas  Any adverts within this podcast may use computer generated voices

    37 min
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4.8
out of 5
176 Ratings

About

The RCP Medicine podcast is a discussion of different topics relevant to physicians. Episodes discuss and explore different topics including real-life clinical cases, new evidence-based guidelines and specific physician issues in the modern healthcare environment. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the presenters and not necessarily the RCP. 

Information

  • Creator
    Royal College of Physicians
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    106
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 RCP Medicine Podcast
  • Show Website
    RCP Medicine Podcast

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