76 episodes

The Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical brings you the latest in general practice current affairs, reviews the latest research relevant to primary care, explores interesting and important topics in-depth, and looks at cutting edge medicine.

NB Hot Topics Podcast NB Medical Education

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.7 • 134 Ratings

The Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical brings you the latest in general practice current affairs, reviews the latest research relevant to primary care, explores interesting and important topics in-depth, and looks at cutting edge medicine.

    S5 E9: “The Strike Song”; Maintaining Weight Loss; Exercise & Depression; Microplastics in Your Arteries

    S5 E9: “The Strike Song”; Maintaining Weight Loss; Exercise & Depression; Microplastics in Your Arteries

    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 usual care? Secondly, in the BMJ a systematic review exploring whether exercise should be considered a genuine treatment for depression. And finally, in the NEJM, a study looking at the link between microplastics in carotid arterial plaques and subsequent risk of cardiac vascular events (hint: it’s not good news…).


    References
    BMA GP Contract Changes 2024/25
    Pulse Editorial
    Lancet Discovery Science paper on weight loss maintenance
    Weight maintenance author interview
    BMJ Exercise and Depression
    NEJM Micro/nanoplastics in your arteries
    NEJM Microplastics editorial
    www.nbmedical.com/podcast

    • 32 min
    S5 E8: "Pharmacy First Song"; Rehab for Long Covid; Urate to Predict Acute Gout

    S5 E8: "Pharmacy First Song"; Rehab for Long Covid; Urate to Predict Acute Gout

    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 quality of life for patients struggling after hospitalisation with covid? Second, in JAMA, can serum urate levels help predict future flares of gout and guide us on who might benefit the most from urate-lowering therapy

    References

    Kings Fund Report on Primary Care

    BMJ Post-covid-19 syndrome and online programme

    JAMA Serum urate and recurrent gout


    www.nbmedical.com/podcast

    • 25 min
    S5 E7: Patient Experience of General Practice; Weight Loss and Cancer; Testosterone and Fractures

    S5 E7: Patient Experience of General Practice; Weight Loss and Cancer; Testosterone and Fractures

    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 other research, we see what lessons a new paper in JAMA on weight loss and cancer association can tell us about a seemingly obvious connection, and from the NEJM what effect testosterone replacement for hypogonadism has on men's fracture risk.

    References

    BJGP Patient experiences of Scottish GP paper
    BJGP Family physician's moral distress when managing health inequalities
    JAMA Cancer diagnoses after weight loss
    NEJM Testosterone replacement for hypogonadism and fracture risk
    www.nbmedical.com/podcast

    • 25 min
    S5 E6: "Signing Scripts For Xmas" song; "Great Expectations - time required to deliver BMJ’s 10 minute consultations": interview with Dr Stephen Bradley & Dr Alice Harper

    S5 E6: "Signing Scripts For Xmas" song; "Great Expectations - time required to deliver BMJ’s 10 minute consultations": interview with Dr Stephen Bradley & Dr Alice Harper

    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 it REALLY takes to do everything that’s recommended in clinical guidance. If you’ve ever felt like there just isn’t enough time in your general practice day, this might explain it, and you are not the only one.
    Merry Christmas everyone, see you in the New Year. Neal
    References
    Great Expectations: GPs estimations of time required to deliver BMJ’s 10minute consultations
    The Health Foundation: Identifying Operational Failures in General Practice
    BMJ Guidelines should consider clinicians time needed to treat
    www.nbmedical.com/podcast

    • 19 min
    S5 E5: Interview with Prof Hazel Everitt - amitriptyline for IBS; methotrexate for hand OA; leaflets for LUTs

    S5 E5: Interview with Prof Hazel Everitt - amitriptyline for IBS; methotrexate for hand OA; leaflets for LUTs

    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 does it work? - plus a BMJ paper on using a patient information leaflet to improve lower urinary tract symptoms in men. Are PILS better than pills?

    Resources

    Lancet ATLANTIS paper on IBS & amitriptyline
    ATLANTIS trial website with patient information
    Gut journal CBT for IBS
    National Institute for Health and Care Research - how to get involved
    NIHR Local research groups - how to get involved
    Lancet Methotrexate for hand OA with synovitis
    BMJ Leaflets for LUTS
    www.nbmedical.com/podcast

    • 36 min
    S5 E4: Interview with Prof Miriam Santer on BMJ Spironolactone for acne in GP; physician associates; once-weekly insulin; tirzepatide vs insulin for T2DM

    S5 E4: Interview with Prof Miriam Santer on BMJ Spironolactone for acne in GP; physician associates; once-weekly insulin; tirzepatide vs insulin for T2DM

    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 pathways?

    In the news, we think about the current issues around physician associates in general practice. In research we have two papers on diabetes: first, in the Lancet, is a new once-weekly insulin injection as effective as a daily treatment for type 1 diabetes; and second, in JAMA, is the additional tirzepatide better than prandial insulin in addition to glargine for managing type 2 diabetes?

    References

    Eczema Care Online
    BMJ Spiro for acne
    Lancet Once weekly insulin vs daily insulin in T1DM
    JAMA Tirzepatide vs prandial insulin in T2DM



    www.nbmedical.com/podcast

    • 31 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
134 Ratings

134 Ratings

Minimus73 ,

Neil you’re amazing

Fantastic podcast, started listening around the haircuts in Covid Times episode and wait avidly for each new contribution. Palatable summaries of the latest science as well as on the nose assessments of what has been in the news between episodes affecting patients and GPs. Talented singer, songwriter and musician to boot, has Neil missed his calling? Showbiz’s loss is General Practice’s gain. Thankyou for brightening up Fridays whilst both educating us and making us smile too.

Savitrini ,

Great fun GP updates

Thank you for your fun and simple GP updates. I like the light heartedness while still being informative. Thank you.

EWBryn ,

Brilliant podcast

I’ve just attended a HOT topics training & decided to listen to one of the podcasts on the way home. Very concise & up to date information. Brilliant for Paramedics now working within primary care. Thank you

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