Welcome to the Red Whale Primary Care Pod, where Red Whale GPs Nik Kendrew and Caroline Greene discuss key topics for primary care clinicians, which we've covered in our free Pearls.
In our podcast, we'll look at the evidence, the guidelines and the media coverage and make learning together as a primary care community as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.
Tell us what you think via email: podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message to RedWhalePrimaryCarePod (speakpipe.com)
Podcast
Episode 13 (March 2024)
Which of the risks associated with prescribing systemic quinolones concerns you the most?
Join us for a relaxed round up of this month's Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. This month, Nik and Caroline discuss:
- Acute aortic dissection. What would you do if you suspected it?
- The limping child. Who goes in to hospital? Who might be able to be managed in primary care?
- Soluble tablets. Are you aware how much sodium is in the average soluble pill?
- Quinolones… just say no to systemic fluroquinolones! Why have the MHRA released a drug safety update?
All of the above questions, and more, will be answered during the episode. Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear about how some home grown tomatoes brought a primary care team together, but left an unpleasant taste in the mouth!!
Podcast
Episode 12 (February 2024)
Can you name the five eating disorder subtypes?
Join us for a relaxed round up of this month's Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. This month, Nik and Caroline discuss:
- Recent changes with progestogen-only pills. How is the new POP different from the others?
- Erectile dysfunction, and what is Eroxon?
- The available evidence and guidelines regarding measuring oestradiol levels with HRT. Which factors impact oestradiol levels?
- Eating disorders. What are the 5 subtypes of eating disorder?
- Ramadan- how can we support people with long-term conditions?
All of the above questions, and more, will be answered during the episode. Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear about how a young primary care parent needed to watch their back whilst trying to juggle everything on a busy work day!
Podcast
Episode 11 (January 2024)
Is there post-exposure prophylaxis for measles?
Join us for a relaxed round up of this month's Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. This month, Nik and Caroline discuss:
- Actively beating the new year blues. How can we build conversations about physical activity into our consultations?
- Scabies surge: how do you spot it and manage it? ( And can you get hold of the treatments?!)
- His head is all squished on one side… does the baby have a non-acute asymmetrical head, or not…?
- Measles: an update. With a significant measles outbreak in the West Midlands, have you had a chance to read the BRAND NEW UKHSA National Measles Guideline released in January? Don't worry if you haven't had time, we summarise them for you.
All of the above questions, and more, will be answered during the episode. Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear about how crossed wires in a consultation lead to red-faced moment!
Podcast
Episode 10 (December 2023)
In which scenario should you NEVER use a pulse oximeter?
Join us for a relaxed round up of this month's Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. This month, Nik and Caroline discuss:
- Galleri: will this blood test revolutionise cancer diagnosis? We review the evidence behind it and ask: How effective is it when cancer is suspected, and how effective is it for population screening?
- Sore throat and tonsilitis: All you ever wanted to know! Do you know when we should refer for tonsillectomy?
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: it's rare but easily missed. Would you be able to spot patterns in the history to make the diagnosis?
- Our free video bytes! We've given away 6 bytes in our Pearl email- over 45 minutes of free video CPD including infantile haemangioma, shoulder examination, hoarding disorder, serotonin syndrome, cancer: early diagnosis, and short stature. We discuss what leapt out at us from each one.
All of the above questions will be answered during the episode. Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear about a home visit with a canine catheter catastrophe!!
Podcast
Episode 9 (November 2023)
Ageing, prevention, retention, crisis...
Join us for a relaxed round up of this month's Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. This month, Nik and Caroline discuss:
- Healthy ageing: adding quality to years? What does 'healthy ageing' look like? What are the 3 trajectories of ageing? How can we work as a primary care team to promote the basics that increase the chance of healthier ageing?
- Preventing breast cancer: what's our role? The MHRA are now licensing anastrozole for primary prevention of breast cancer in postmenopausal women at moderate to high risk. We discuss our article on Breast cancer: genetic risk, and explore how to assess risk, the evidence for preventative medication and some of the side-effects people taking it may experience.
- Acute retention: sort the catheter… then think: why? A Danish study showed that those who go into acute retention are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with genitourinary cancers in the following 12 months. How much should we worry about this?
- Self-harm: creating a safety-plan. The UK has one of the highest rates of self-harm in Europe and whilst it can occur at any age, it is most common in young people and females. The 2022 NICE Guidelines on self-harm recommend that whilst we are waiting for CAMHS support and assessment, we can help by encouraging the young person to develop a safety-plan. Would you feel confident to do this?
And hear about a colleague's car-tastrophe...
Podcast
Episode 7 (September 2023)
A magic spell that will open your (itchy) eyes to tics, Tourette’s and tackling the latest drug swaps...
Join us for a relaxed round up of this month's Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. This month, Nik and Caroline discuss:
- GLP-1 mimetics shortages: tackling drug swaps. The headline grabbing GLP-1 mimetics are rarely out of the news- most recently due to supply issues for people with type 2 diabetes. How do we deal with this?
- Tics and Tourette’s syndrome: spotting them in primary care. Singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi has been keen to dispel myths that Tourette’s is all about swearing uncontrollably. We share what you need to know.
- Blepharitis: it’s pretty common and is responsible for about 5% of primary care eye consultations- so worth a reminder about diagnosis and management, to stop you from getting stuck!
- Molluscum contagiosum…a nuisance but not a spell! We look at the diagnosis, management, who needs referral, and when to think about immunosuppression.
And hear about a multitasking, time pressured, dance themed debacle…