Clinical Update

As Women’s Health Ambassador for England, Professor Dame Lesley Regan leads the implementation of the Government’s Women’s Health Strategy. In this episode of the Clinical Update Podcast she talks to MIMS Learning’s Deputy Editor Rhiannon Ashman about her focus on improving women's healthcare across their lives. 

Professor Regan emphasises, ‘when we get it right for women, we get it right for everybody else in their family, their community and in wider society.’ 

She highlights two key questions all clinicians should ask their female patients. The discussion also covers the importance of preventative care, the role of women's health hubs, HRT, cancer diagnosis, and the need for better information to empower patients. 

Content warning: this episode includes a brief mention of maternal suicide at 32.45–33.33.

Educational objectives

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:

• Explain the benefits of a ‘one-stop shop’ approach to women's health services
• Understand the goals and challenges of implementing the Women's Health Strategy
• Understand the concept of patient-initiated follow-up and its benefits
• Explain how pregnancy can serve as a ‘window’ to a woman's future health risks
• Recall the two key questions all clinicians should ask women

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Useful links

Department of Health and Social Care. Women’s health strategy for England. 30 August 2022. 

McKinsey Health Institute. Closing the women’s health gap: A $1 trillion opportunity to improve lives and economies. 17 January 2024. 

MIMS Learning

Guidance update: NICE guidelines on menopause

Health inequalities in women: menopause, pelvic floor disorders and endometriosis

Equity in maternity care - lessons from MBRRACE-UK

Register for a free healthcare professional account

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Tired all the time’ is a common presentation in primary care. In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, the MIMS Learning editors discuss this symptom from a clinical perspective. 

This episode looks at some of the common causes of tiredness and fatigue, including sleep apnoea, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid problems, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). It also makes the distinction between tiredness resulting from sleep deprivation and tiredness despite having sufficient sleep.

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Further learning on MIMS Learning

Tired all the time - red flag symptoms

Diagnosis and treatment of hypothryoidism

Adult obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: clinical review

Guidance update: NICE guidance on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Guidance: NICE guidelines on vitamin B12 deficiency in adults

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Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in UK children, affecting about 1 in 11 children or young people. Dr Cara Bossley, consultant in pediatric respiratory medicine at King’s College Hospital, talks to MIMS Learning editor Sangeeta Krishnan about the risk factors, prevalence, mortality, and diagnosis of childhood asthma. 

She also discusses the NICE/SIGN/BTS guidelines on asthma, including recommended therapies. Finally, Dr Bossley looks at how inhaler emissions contribute to the carbon footprint of the NHS, and ways that clinicians could address this.

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:

• Identify key risk factors for childhood asthma
• Describe the diagnostic procedures for paediatric asthma
• Summarise the current treatment guidelines for childhood asthma
• Explain the link between environmental factors and asthma
• Discuss the environmental impact of asthma inhalers

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

MIMS Learning

Asthma: diagnosis and 7 differentials

Guidance update: BTS/NICE/SIGN guidelines on diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management

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About 40% of people with diabetes will develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), making diabetes the leading cause of CKD. Mortality in people with both diabetes and CKD is higher than in those with either condition alone.

In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, the MIMS Learning editors look at diabetes-related kidney disease. They discuss the mortality and morbidity associated with the condition, its diagnosis and its management — including the role of SGLT2 inhibitors.

The editors also review what NICE says about glycaemic and lipid targets in this population, noting that glycaemic targets become less strict as CKD progresses.

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Further learning on MIMS Learning

Addressing polypharmacy in cardio-renal-metabolic disease

Diabetes-related kidney disease: prevalence, diagnosis, and impact

Diabetes-related kidney disease: five steps to optimise management

Diabetes-related kidney disease: therapy options

Guidance update: latest NICE guidelines on cardiovascular disease risk assessment and reduction

Guidance update: NICE guidelines on chronic kidney disease

MIMS resources

SGLT2 inhibitors for the treatment of type II diabetes

GLP-1 agonists and GIP/GLP-1 agonists for the treatment of type II diabetes

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GP and training programme director Dr Pipin Singh provides tips on when to use FIT tests, how to adhere to guidelines on their use, and discusses the need for clear protocols around referrals and safety netting to avoid delayed cancer diagnosis. 

This podcast aims to help healthcare professionals to recall which test results are significant within the context of community testing and within GP management of symptomatic patients. It also provides pointers from NICE guidelines on when to use FIT testing in patients of varying ages, and aims to help GPs to confront challenges such as dealing with false positives and handling referrals while waiting for FIT testing results. Dr Singh stresses the importance of clear protocols around referrals and safety netting.

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Further learning on MIMS Learning

Colorectal cancer: clinical review

Global trends in gastrointestinal cancers

Rectal bleeding - red flag symptoms

Pancreatic cancer - red flag symptoms

Unintentional weight loss - red flag symptoms

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Autoimmune conditions are common, and people may be affected by more than one.  In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, the MIMS Learning editors discuss tips on identifying key symptoms and the importance of timely referral.

Conditions discussed include type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, coeliac disease and the blistering skin condition bullous pemphigoid. 

Learn about the ‘4 Ts’ that could suggest type 1 diabetes in children, the three 3 key symptoms that should prompt timely referral for suspected rheumatoid arthritis, and possible variations in presentations of psoriasis. Also covered are the non-classical symptoms associated with undiagnosed coeliac disease, and how bullous pemphigoid may present in older people

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Further learning on MIMS Learning

The presentation and management of type 1 diabetes in young people

Rheumatoid arthritis: clinical review

Psoriasis in primary care: clinical review

Coeliac disease: clinical review

Bullous pemphigoid: clinical review

Reference

Conrad N, Misra S, Verbakel J et al. Incidence, prevalence and co-occurrence of autoimmune disorders over time and by age, sex and socioeconomic status: a population-based cohort study of 22 million individuals in the UK. The Lancet 2023; 401: 10391, 1878-1890.

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In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, Professor Willie Hamilton talks to MIMS Learning deputy editor Rhiannon Ashman about how cancer risk assessment tools can be used in primary care, why patients don’t respond how we expect when faced with the possibility of cancer, and why some of what we thought we knew about cancer diagnostics is no longer true.

He emphasises that, where cancer is concerned, ‘investigating smarter is not enough; you actually do have to investigate more’ – and puts this in the context of how cancer diagnostics has changed in the past two decades, and the success of general practice in contributing to improved survival. 

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:

• Understand how cancer diagnostics have evolved in the past two decades, and the impact this has had on patients and GPs
• Recall the three potential uses of cancer risk assessment tools in general practice
• Consider the benefits and drawbacks of using risk assessment tools to guide cancer referral decisions
• Reflect on patients’ understanding and interpretation of cancer risk
• Consider the potential applications of AI in cancer diagnostics 

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Useful links

Resources from MIMS Learning

Podcast: NHS England’s Professor Peter Johnson on optimising early cancer diagnosis

Guidance update: latest NICE guidelines on recognition and referral of suspected cancer

Unintentional weight loss - red flag symptoms

Pancreatic cancer - red flag symptoms

Melanoma risk factors and identification

MIMS Learning

Register for a free healthcare professional account

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Skin conditions are common in children, but their diagnosis can pose a large challenge. 

Join the MIMS Learning editors Sangeeta Krishnan and Rhiannon Ashman for a discussion on paediatric and neonatal skin conditions, ranging from rashes to eczema. Learn how to identify key symptoms, distinguish between conditions based on their presentation, and manage them effectively in clinical practice.

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Further learning on MIMS Learning

Neonatal dermatology

Measles update

Varicella zoster

Paediatric dermatology in skin of colour

Scarlet fever

References

1. Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI). Statement on a childhood varicella (chickenpox) vaccination programme. November 2023.
2. O'Mahony E, Sherman SM, Marlow R et al. UK paediatricians' attitudes towards the chicken pox vaccine: The SPOTTY study. Vaccine 2024; 42(22): 126199.

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In the ever-changing world of GP appraisal, there is a new emphasis on personal wellbeing and treating patients and colleagues with compassion and respect in line with General Medical Council (GMC) guidance. 

In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, MIMS Learning editor Pat Anderson talks to GP appraiser Dr Ravi Ramanathan about the latest developments and what they mean for individual GPs. 

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:

• Understand the latest developments around the GP appraisal process 
• Reflect on how GMC requirements affect GP practice
• Plan effectively for their next appraisal

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Resources from MIMS Learning

Wellbeing masterclass

Transgender healthcare: why is it important?

Supporting people with severe mental illness

Register for a free healthcare professional account

How to positively influence change and enhance impact

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At least 1 in 50 people in the UK are living with an eating disorder, and it’s important to keep an open mind as to which patients may be affected and how they may present to primary care. 

Join the MIMS Learning editors Rhiannon Ashman and Dawn Liz Powell for a discussion on possible physical symptoms of eating disorders, screening tools, and atypical eating disorders, as well as tips on referral, and support for patients awaiting specialist input.

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Further learning on MIMS Learning

Understanding atypical eating disorders

Eating disorders: clinical review

Disordered eating in people living with type 1 diabetes

Amenorrhoea - red flag symptoms

Unintentional weight loss - red flag symptoms

Mental health conditions in autistic children and adolescents

Resources

Beat eating disorders

NICE. Eating disorders: recognition and treatment. NG69. Published: 23 May 2017. Updated: 16 December 2020.

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