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The human foot and ankle are astonishingly complex, and when they hurt, life shrinks fast. In this comprehensive episode of Aussie Med Ed, host and Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Gavin Nimon sits down with Dr Peter Stavrou, Adelaide-based foot and ankle specialist and past president of the Australian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, to unpack everything medical students, junior doctors, and GPs need to know about foot and ankle conditions.

From the emergency department to the operating theatre, this episode covers the full spectrum of foot and ankle care - with practical, evidence-based guidance you can use in clinical practice today.

We start with the realities of frontline care. Mechanism matters: inversion plantarflexion points to lateral ligament sprain, while dorsiflexion eversion sets off alarms for syndesmosis. You’ll learn how to use Ottawa rules wisely, why two to three weeks without improvement is the decision point, and when weight-bearing X-rays, MRI, or weight-bearing CT tip the balance toward referral. We demystify Achilles ruptures with simple bedside tests, compare nonoperative and surgical pathways, and outline honest timelines for walking, rehab, and return to sport.

From there, we pivot to the elective landscape. Think bunions, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, neuromas, adult acquired flatfoot, and ankle arthritis. We share clear strategies that work in real life: rocker-soled shoes, arch supports, ultrasound-guided injections, and joint-sparing options like cheilectomy. When surgery is on the table, we contrast fusion and total ankle replacement, highlight who benefits most from each, and bring in up-to-date registry insights on survivorship and outcomes. We also tackle stress fractures, the underestimated role of vitamin D, and why chronic ankle instability often needs both soft tissue repair and bony realignment to succeed.

If you want practical, step-by-step thinking that helps patients move without fear and pain, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share with a colleague who sees ankle pain every clinic, and leave a review to tell us the topic you want covered next.

Aussie Med Ed is supported by HealthShare. 

HealthShare is a digital health company that provides solutions for patients, GPs and specialists across Australia. Two of HealthShare's  products are Better Consult, a pre consultation questionnaire that allows GPs to know a patient's agenda before the consult begins,  as well as HealthShare's Specialist Referrals Directory, a specialist and allied health directory helping GPs find the right specialist.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.

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Can artificial intelligence really write your medical notes for you?
Imagine finishing clinic on time, spending more moments looking your patient in the eye instead of staring at a screen, and cutting hours off your documentation workload — all without compromising accuracy, privacy, or patient safety.

In this thought-provoking episode of Aussie Med Ed,  Dr Gavin Nimon (orthopaedic surgeon) explores the world of AI-powered medical transcription — a technology rapidly reshaping how clinicians document care.

Joined by a panel of leading experts:

• Dr Emily Powell, rural GP registrar and AI enthusiast from i-Scribe, shares how AI scribes are already transforming rural and emergency medicine.
• Dr Ben Condon, Clinical Director of Heidi Health, reveals how AI models are trained for clinical accuracy and how they adapt to your style of documentation.
• Georgie Haysom, General Manager of Advocacy, Education & Research at Avant, breaks down the medicolegal, consent, and privacy risks — and explains what AHPRA expects when doctors use AI tools in practice.

🎧 You’ll discover:
✅ How AI transcription works — from voice recognition to medical language processing
✅ How much time clinicians are really saving (and how it’s improving work–life balance)
✅ Why patient consent and data security are non-negotiable
✅ The truth about AI “hallucinations” — and how to spot and prevent them
✅ Legal and ethical responsibilities under AHPRA and the Privacy Act
✅ What the future holds: ambient clinical intelligence, adaptive note-taking, and the integration of AI into medical education

Whether you’re a medical student curious about the tech shaping your future, a GP looking to streamline documentation, or a specialist navigating the intersection between innovation and regulation — this episode offers practical insights you can apply today.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.

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Stepping into the world of orthopaedics can feel overwhelming. With musculoskeletal problems accounting for nearly a third of GP consultations, it's surprising that many medical professionals receive fewer than 60 hours of dedicated teaching in this crucial field.

This episode offers a comprehensive framework for understanding orthopaedics—moving far beyond just "bones on x-rays" to explore how this specialty fundamentally improves quality of life. Dr. Gavin Nimon (Orthopaedic Surgeon) systematically breaks down the key symptoms that bring patients to orthopaedic care: pain (mechanical, inflammatory, traumatic, infectious, neoplastic, or neuropathic), stiffness (articular vs periarticular), deformity, swelling, weakness, instability, and neurological symptoms. Each presentation is explored with clarity, helping listeners develop a structured approach to diagnosis.

The episode introduces a valuable time-based lens for categorising presentations as acute, chronic, or mixed, guiding both urgency of intervention and management strategies. Gavin Nimon walks through the diagnostic pathway from clinical assessment to targeted investigations, emphasising the continued importance of plain radiographs alongside advanced imaging techniques. Particularly valuable is the discussion of orthopaedic emergencies that must never be missed—cauda equina syndrome, compartment syndrome, septic arthritis, open pelvic fractures, compound fractures, and acute septic flexor tenosynovitis—where early recognition can prevent devastating outcomes.

Whether you're a medical student, GP, or healthcare professional wanting to refresh your knowledge, this episode serves as an essential mental map of orthopaedics. Download the accompanying mind map from our website to reinforce these concepts and improve your approach to musculoskeletal conditions. Subscribe for more expert insights that bridge the gap between specialised knowledge and everyday clinical practice.

Aussie Med Ed is supported by HealthShare. 

HealthShare is a digital health company that provides solutions for patients, GPs and specialists across Australia. Two of HealthShare's  products are Better Consult, a pre consultation questionnaire that allows GPs to know a patient's agenda before the consult begins,  as well as HealthShare's Specialist Referrals Directory, a specialist and allied health directory helping GPs find the right specialist.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.

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What happens when the nearest specialist is over 700 kilometers away? For Dr. Chong Han Lim, that reality shaped his entire approach to medicine.

Join Dr Gavin Nimon (Orthopaedic Surgeon and Host) as he interviews Dr. Lim ( Han ) about his journey from Singapore to the small coastal town of Tumby Bay in rural South Australia, and he reveals the profound ways that country practice transforms physicians. What began as a six-month placement extended to six years as he discovered the rewards of rural general practice—where clinical independence, creative problem-solving, and deep community connections come together.

The podcast explores the unique challenges of practicing medicine with limited resources and without immediate specialist backup. From managing emergencies with improvised equipment to learning the art of "panicking slowly," rural doctors develop remarkable resilience. As Han explains, these experiences don't represent reckless medicine but rather thoughtful adaptation that prioritizes patient safety while acknowledging geographical constraints.

Perhaps most fascinating is how rural practice blurs the lines between professional and personal life. Unlike urban settings where doctors rarely encounter patients outside the clinic, rural physicians become integral parts of their communities—experiencing everything from "supermarket consults" to forming deep friendships. This integration creates a different kind of doctor-patient relationship, characterized by mutual respect and understanding that spans generations.

Han's eventual transition to dual specialization in pain and palliative medicine demonstrates how rural practice can lay a powerful foundation for diverse career paths. His experiences in Tumby Bay continue to inform his approach to medicine in Adelaide, where he now balances his medical career with running Katong House, a Singaporean restaurant serving dishes from his childhood.

Whether you're considering rural practice or simply curious about different medical career pathways, this conversation offers valuable insights into the rewards of stepping outside your comfort zone. Subscribe to Aussie Med Ed for more candid conversations about the realities of medical practice in Australia.

Aussie Med Ed is supported by HealthShare. 

HealthShare is a digital health company that provides solutions for patients, GPs and specialists across Australia. Two of HealthShare's  products are Better Consult, a pre consultation questionnaire that allows GPs to know a patient's agenda before the consult begins,  as well as HealthShare's Specialist Referrals Directory, a specialist and allied health directory helping GPs find the right specialist.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.

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The silent, stealthy nature of osteoporosis makes it one of medicine's most challenging conditions. Patients can lose precious bone mass for years with absolutely no symptoms, only discovering their condition after a devastating, life-altering fracture.

With over a million Australians affected and our population steadily aging, understanding how to identify, investigate and treat this condition couldn't be more crucial. Yet despite its prevalence, osteoporosis remains severely underdiagnosed and undertreated in clinical practice.

In this comprehensive episode, Dr Gavin Nimon ( host and Orthopaedic Surgeon) inteviews Endocrinologist Dr Linn Lee brings about this complex topic. She expertly guides us through interpreting those notoriously confusing DEXA scan reports, breaking down T-scores and Z-scores into practical insights you can immediately apply. You'll discover exactly who needs investigating, when to refer to specialists, and how various risk assessment tools like FRAX and Garvan calculators can quantify fracture risk beyond bone density measurements alone.

Dr Lee demystifies the expansive pharmacological landscape – from bisphosphonates to cutting-edge anabolic agents – with particular attention to selecting the right medication for specific patient profiles. She discusses potential complications like osteonecrosis and atypical femoral fractures with refreshing honesty, providing evidence-based context about their prevalence and management strategies to mitigate risks.

Perhaps most valuable is the practical guidance on monitoring treatment efficacy, managing medication side effects, and navigating challenging clinical scenarios like bisphosphonate "drug holidays" and the complexities of stopping denosumab. The discussion extends beyond medications to emphasize the critical role of calcium, vitamin D, and targeted exercise regimens in comprehensive bone health management.

Whether you're a medical student building your foundational knowledge or an experienced GP managing complex cases, this episode delivers the practical insights you need to provide optimal care for patients with this prevalent but often overlooked condition. Subscribe to Aussie Med Ed for more expert-led, pragmatic discussions on core medical topics.

Aussie Med Ed is supported by HealthShare. 

HealthShare is a digital health company that provides solutions for patients, GPs and specialists across Australia. Two of HealthShare's  products are Better Consult, a pre consultation questionnaire that allows GPs to know a patient's agenda before the consult begins,  as well as HealthShare's Specialist Referrals Directory, a specialist and allied health directory helping GPs find the right specialist.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.

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That burning sensation in your chest might be more than just occasional heartburn. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) affects one in five Australian adults and can profoundly impact quality of life when left untreated.

in an interview where Dr Gavin Nimon (Orthopaedic Surgeon and host) interviews A/Prof Harsh Kanhere, Head of Upper GI Surgery at Royal Adelaide Hospital, takes us beyond the common understanding of reflux to explore its true complexity. While heartburn remains the hallmark symptom, many patients experience atypical presentations including respiratory issues, chest pain that mimics cardiac conditions, and even iron deficiency anaemia that can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

The conversation delves into the fascinating protective mechanisms that normally prevent reflux and how they fail. A/Prof Harsh Kanherer explains the critical role of the lower oesophageal sphincter and how anatomical disruptions like hiatus hernias create the perfect conditions for acid to travel where it shouldn't. This understanding forms the foundation for both medical and surgical approaches to treatment.

Weight gain, smoking, and excessive caffeine emerge as the unholy trinity of reflux risk factors, with obesity particularly significant in our current health landscape. A/Prof Harsh Kanhere shares practical insights on management strategies ranging from lifestyle modifications to medication options and surgical interventions. The modern laparoscopic approach to anti-reflux surgery has transformed what was once a major operation requiring lengthy hospital stays into a procedure some patients can recover from in just a day.

Perhaps most valuable is the discussion of Barrett's oesophagus – the potentially pre-cancerous condition that can develop from chronic reflux – and strategies for monitoring and prevention. Whether you're experiencing symptoms yourself or treating patients with this common condition, this episode provides essential knowledge delivered with clarity and practical wisdom.

Listen now to understand the science behind your symptoms and discover the most effective approaches to finding relief from this common but potentially serious condition.

Aussie Med Ed is supported by HealthShare. 

HealthShare is a digital health company that provides solutions for patients, GPs and specialists across Australia. Two of HealthShare's  products are Better Consult, a pre consultation questionnaire that allows GPs to know a patient's agenda before the consult begins,  as well as HealthShare's Specialist Referrals Directory, a specialist and allied health directory helping GPs find the right specialist.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.

Send us a text

The silent revolution happening in healthcare often goes unnoticed by patients, but medical registries have fundamentally transformed how medicine is practiced—particularly in orthopaedic surgery.Join Dr Gavin Nimon ( Host and Orthopaedic Surgeon ) as he interviews Professor Richard Page and they pull back the curtain on these powerful databases that track surgical outcomes across entire populations.

As the former Deputy Director of the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry, Professor Page reveals how these systems have saved approximately $1.2 billion in healthcare costs while dramatically improving patient outcomes. The Australian registry, considered world-class, has tracked over 2.2 million joint replacements with extraordinary detail and accuracy exceeding 99%.

What began with passionate surgeons manually recording data has evolved into sophisticated systems that provide early warning signals when implants underperform. Professor Page shares the fascinating story of how shoulder replacements were integrated into the national registry—initially by surgeons who simply crossed out "knee" on data collection forms and wrote "shoulder" instead. This persistence paid off, with shoulder replacements growing from approximately 1,000 annually to nearly 12,000, making it the fastest-growing joint replacement procedure in Australia.

The registry has revealed crucial insights: total shoulder replacements outperform partial replacements for osteoarthritis, and reverse shoulder replacements have proven remarkably successful despite initial skepticism. These findings directly influence surgical decisions and have reduced revision rates by nearly 4%, sparing hundreds of patients from additional operations.

Looking forward, Professor Page describes an exciting future where registries integrate with AI, smartphone technology, and wearables to provide real-time monitoring of patient function. These powerful databases are evolving from quality assurance tools into platforms for innovative research, international collaboration, and personalized medicine.

Explore this fascinating conversation to understand how systematic data collection is quietly revolutionizing healthcare delivery and improving lives. What other medical advances might be hiding in plain sight within these vast repositories of patient data?

Aussie Med Ed is supported by HealthShare. 

HealthShare is a digital health company that provides solutions for patients, GPs and specialists across Australia. Two of HealthShare's  products are Better Consult, a pre consultation questionnaire that allows GPs to know a patient's agenda before the consult begins,  as well as HealthShare's Specialist Referrals Directory, a specialist and allied health directory helping GPs find the right specialist.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.

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Description:
In this episode of Aussie Med Ed, Dr. Gavin Nimon ( Orthopaedic Surgeon ) interviews Dr. Thomas Altree, a respiratory physician, to provide a comprehensive overview of respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and the effects of smoking, vaping, and air pollution.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Common respiratory diseases and their impact on lung function
• The classification of obstructive and restrictive lung diseases
• The risks associated with smoking, vaping, and environmental pollutants
• Diagnostic tools, including spirometry, CT scans, and lung function tests
• Current treatment approaches, including bronchodilators, BiPAP, and emerging monoclonal antibody therapies
• The role of lung transplants in end-stage respiratory disease
  
  

Who should watch?

• Medical students and general practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of respiratory medicine
• Patients and the general public interested in lung health
• Individuals experiencing breathing difficulties, chronic cough, or other respiratory concerns
• This episode provides essential insights into respiratory health and disease management. 

If you find this content valuable, please subscribe for more discussions with medical specialists.

Aussie Med Ed – A podcast designed to simplify complex medical topics through expert interviews.

Aussie Med Ed is supported by HealthShare. 

HealthShare is a digital health company that provides solutions for patients, GPs and specialists across Australia. Two of HealthShare's  products are Better Consult, a pre consultation questionnaire that allows GPs to know a patient's agenda before the consult begins,  as well as HealthShare's Specialist Referrals Directory, a specialist and allied health directory helping GPs find the right specialist.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.

Send us a text

This episode explores the complexities of myeloid conditions, including myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and acute myeloid leukaemia, with insights from Dr. Joanna Czerwinski. Host, Dr Gavin Nimon (Orthopaedic Surgeon) interviews Dr Czerwinski about classification, symptoms, diagnostic approaches, and the latest treatment strategies for managing these conditions effectively.

• Overview of myeloid conditions and their prevalence 
• Explanation of the myeloid stem cell line and its relevance 
• Classification of myeloid disorders: acute vs. chronic 
• Common symptoms and their diagnostic implications 
• Key diagnostic tests and investigations required 
• Intensive treatment approaches for acute myeloid leukaemia 
• Management strategies for chronic myeloid conditions 
• Importance of genetic testing in guiding treatment 
• Future perspectives on myeloid malignancies and ongoing research

Aussie Med Ed is supported by HealthShare. 

HealthShare is a digital health company that provides solutions for patients, GPs and specialists across Australia. Two of HealthShare's  products are Better Consult, a pre consultation questionnaire that allows GPs to know a patient's agenda before the consult begins,  as well as HealthShare's Specialist Referrals Directory, a specialist and allied health directory helping GPs find the right specialist.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.

Send us a text

Join host Dr Gavin Nimon (Orthopaedic Surgeon) as he unlocks the mysteries of medical statistics and take your clinical decision-making skills to new heights with insights from Dr. Adam Badenoch, an anaesthetist with a Master's in Biostatistics. Discover how essential concepts like central tendency, distribution, and variance can transform your understanding of medical research. Dr. Badenoch explains the significance of numerical and categorical data, and sheds light on how outliers can alter the mean and median, equipping you with the tools needed to critically assess statistical evidence in healthcare.

Venture into the complex world of hypothesis testing, where we explore the importance of the null hypothesis and the scrutiny needed before changing clinical practices. Dr. Badenoch demystifies the role of p-values and addresses common criticisms such as the arbitrary 0.05 significance threshold and publication bias. By emphasizing the necessity of defining clinical importance and analysis methods at the outset of studies, this discussion urges a thoughtful balance between scientific integrity and interpretation.

Our episode culminates with an insightful look into research study design and the indispensable role of statistical tools in evaluating studies. Learn about confidence intervals and their power to reveal the range of plausible values for true population parameters, standing in contrast to p-values. We also touch on the challenges of implementing evidence-based medicine in practice, with a nod to the potential and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in data analysis. This episode is a must for healthcare professionals aiming to refine their statistical acumen and apply evidence-based insights effectively.

Aussie Med Ed is supported by HealthShare. 

HealthShare is a digital health company that provides solutions for patients, GPs and specialists across Australia. Two of HealthShare's  products are Better Consult, a pre consultation questionnaire that allows GPs to know a patient's agenda before the consult begins,  as well as HealthShare's Specialist Referrals Directory, a specialist and allied health directory helping GPs find the right specialist.

Aussie Med Ed is sponsored by Avant  Medical Indemnity: They state that they offer holistic support to help the doctor practice safely and believe they have extensive cover that's continually evolving to meet your needs in the ever changing regulatory environment.