RCP Medicine Podcast

Royal College of Physicians

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. JAN 13

    Episode 99: Health Inequalities in Pregnancy and Postpartum Care

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, we explore the critical issue of health inequalities during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Joining us is Dr Maria Mouyis, Consultant Physician & Rheumatologist with Specialist Interest in Obstetric Medicine, alongside Dr Vasiliki Thanopoulou, RCP clinical education fellow, Rheumatology/GIM Specialist Registrar. Together, they unpack why pregnancy itself can be a risk factor for health inequality, the findings from the MBRRACE report, and the systemic, cultural, and clinical challenges that impact maternal and neonatal outcomes. From disparities in maternal mortality among ethnic minority groups to the role of unconscious bias and digital exclusion, this conversation highlights practical steps clinicians can take to improve equity in care. We also discuss innovative initiatives such as maternal medicine networks, preconception clinics, and community engagement projects that aim to empower women and reduce adverse outcomes. Whether you’re a clinician, policymaker, or advocate, this episode offers actionable insights and resources to help drive change. Resources:  UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) | UKOSS | NPEU Reports | MBRRACE-UK | NPEU Special interest groups | British Society for Rheumatology Eastern Obstetric Medicine Group: EOMG Meetings | MacDonald Obstetric Medicine Society Multidisciplinary Approaches to Maternal Health - elearning for healthcare Racism in pain management causes needless suffering | The BMJ FIVEXMORE RCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

    42 min
  2. 12/18/2025

    Episode 98: Unmasking Myositis: A Multisystem Challenge for Every Clinician

    In this collaborative episode between the RCP Medicine Podcast and the British Society for Rheumatology’s Talking Rheumatology series, consultant rheumatologist Dr Tam Malley from the Royal Free Hospital joins Dr Vasiliki Thanopoulou, RCP Clinical Education Fellow and registrar, to explore the complexities of inflammatory myositis. Through a compelling case study and rich clinical discussion, they unpack the diagnostic challenges, multidisciplinary considerations, and treatment strategies for this rare autoimmune condition. Listeners will gain insights into recognising subtle signs, interpreting investigations, and understanding the importance of early intervention. Whether you're a rheumatologist, general physician, or trainee, this episode offers practical pearls and thoughtful reflections on managing inflammatory myositis in real-world settings. Resources Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice British Society for Rheumatology guideline on management of paediatric, adolescent and adult patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy | Rheumatology | Oxford Academic International Guideline for Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy-Associated Cancer Screening: an International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) initiative | Nature Reviews Rheumatology Polymyositis Masquerading as Motor Neuron Disease | Neurology | JAMA Neurology | JAMA Network RCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

    47 min
  3. 11/25/2025

    Episode 96: Weight, Wellness and the Mind: Rethinking Clinical Conversations

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Dr Sagen Zac-Varghese, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology, East and North Herts Teaching NHS Trust is joined by Dr Samantha Scholtz , Consultant Psychiatrist, Imperial Weight Centre, St Mary’s Hospital to explore the complex relationship between obesity and mental health. Drawing on clinical experience and recent research, they discuss the stigma surrounding obesity, its psychological impact, and how healthcare professionals can better support patients. The conversation covers the physiological drivers of weight regain,  and the evolving role of bariatric surgery and GLP-1 agonists in treatment. Dr Scholtz  also shares practical advice on screening for mental health disorders, managing eating behaviours, and navigating sensitive conversations in clinical settings. Resources RCP elearning - Obesity Binge eating disorder:  https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/binge-eating-disorder https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/feast-resources/ Weight stigma: https://www.worldobesity.org/what-we-do/our-policy-priorities/weight-stigma RCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

    57 min
  4. 11/13/2025

    Episode 95: Past, present and future of HIV

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Dr Lisa Hamza, HIV and Sexual Health Consultant at St George’s Hospital, London, joins Dr Rohan Mehra, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Registrar, to explore the evolving landscape of HIV care. Together, they delve into the virology, history, and treatment of HIV, highlighting the remarkable progress made over the past four decades - from the early days of the epidemic to today’s cutting-edge therapies and prevention strategies. Dr Hamza shares insights from her work as HIV Network Lead in South West London and co-chair of the HIV London Forum, discussing the challenges of stigma, late diagnosis, and health inequalities. The conversation also covers the UK’s HIV Action Plan, the impact of opt-out testing, and the promise of long-acting treatments and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This episode is a powerful reminder of how far we've come and how much further we must go to reach zero transmissions, zero deaths, and zero stigma. RCP Archive, Heritage Library and Museum  The Royal College of Physicians Heritage library, Archive and Museum are seeking to collect objects, documents and publications to reflect the experiences of physicians delivering HIV/AIDS care and people living with HIV/AIDS. Further information can be found at: https://history.rcp.ac.uk/collections/call-for-donations-related-to-HIV-AIDS RCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

    1h 2m
  5. 11/01/2025

    Episode 94: Obesity - person centred care

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine podcast, we delve into the complexities of obesity and the importance of person-centred care. Hosted by Dr Vasiliki Thanopoulou, a rheumatology and general internal medicine specialist registrar and RCP Clinical Education Fellow, she is joined by Dr Charles Fox and Dr Anne Kilvert, both retired consultant diabetes physicians with over 30 years of experience in teaching healthcare professionals how to deliver empowering, person-centred care. Together, they explore how stigma, unconscious bias, and assumptions can hinder effective communication and care for people living with obesity. Drawing on NICE guidelines and their own clinical experiences, Anne and Charles offer practical strategies for fostering empathy, respect, and shared decision-making in clinical encounters. This episode complements the RCP’s e-learning modules on obesity and is part of the broader initiative to address health inequalities. Whether you're a clinician, educator, or learner, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you approach weight-related discussions and empower patients to take control of their health journey. Resources RCP elearning - Obesity NICE guidelines: Overweight and obesity management | Guidance | NICE Lancet: Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity - The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology The European Association for the Study of Obesity: A new framework for the diagnosis, staging and management of obesity in adults - EASO Dr Charles Fox and Dr Anne Kilvert: www.diabetescounselling.co.uk RCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

    58 min
  6. 10/21/2025

    Episode 93 : Reusable Cartridge Insulin Pens – A Sustainable Approach to Diabetes Care

    In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Dr Vincent Simpson, diabetes and endocrine registrar based in Derriford, Plymouth joins Dr Bryony Alderman, palliative medicine consultant and RCP Education Fellow in Sustainability. Together, they explore the intersection of diabetes care and environmental sustainability, focusing on Vincent’s pioneering work around reusable cartridge insulin pens. From the initial spark of curiosity during a training session to national-level conversations with NHS England, Vincent shares his journey of uncovering the environmental impact of diabetes devices and advocating for change. The discussion covers practical steps clinicians can take, the importance of behavioural change, and how small interventions can lead to significant improvements in both patient care and environmental outcomes. Whether you're a physician, policymaker, or someone living with diabetes, this episode offers valuable insights into how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into clinical practice. Dr Vincent Simpson and team recently won an RCP Excellence in Patient Care award for Sustainability – reducing the environmental impact of healthcare  Resources Paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dme.15409 Local guidelines: https://sustainablediabetes.short.gy/guidelines Website: https://sustainablediabetescare.com Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-vincent-simpson Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/drvsimpson.bsky.social Credits Dr Bryony Alderman, consultant in palliative medicine, is the RCP Sustainability Fellow. Financial support for this clinical fellowship was provided as an Independent Medical Education Grant from Pfizer Limited. Pfizer Limited had no involvement in candidate selection, and no influence on the work of the clinical fellowship. RCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

    29 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
9 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. 

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