EMJ Podcast: Insights For Healthcare Professionals

This episode dives deep into the meaning of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, and how chronic excessive workload can impact a physician’s wellbeing. Jonathan is once again joined by Lalith Wijedoru, consultant emergency paediatrician and Founder of Behind Your Mask, UK. The pair discuss approaches to improve physical wellbeing, such as musical therapy, and how moral distress can cause burnout. Further topics of conversation include the welfare of children, the importance of skin-to-skin contact for maternal and paternal bonding, and how abuse can affect children long-term.

Use the following timestamps to navigate the topics discussed in this episode:

(00:00)-Introduction

(01:10)-Defining wellbeing

(02:30)-Factors that affect wellbeing

(04:40)-Wijedoru’s path into wellbeing

(07:20)-Wijedoru’s approach to physical wellbeing

(10:15)-Importance of physical touch in wellbeing

(13:10)-Moral distress

(14:35)-Paediatric safeguarding

(17:00)-Impact of music on wellbeing

(20:20)-Three wishes

In this podcast, an experienced conference and webinar moderator is joined by two doctors in the field of paediatric infectious diseases: David Greenberg and Maria Hemming-Harlo.

In this podcast, our guest experts provide information and their perspectives on the following topics:

• The disease burden of rotavirus
• The related morbidity and mortality of rotavirus
• How rotavirus is transmitted
• The clinical picture of rotavirus infection
• The evidence supporting routine vaccination with RotaTeq (Rotavirus Vaccine, Live, Oral, Pentavalent)

This podcast was funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.

Below please find the reference list for Vax Voices, Podcast 1: The Global Burden of Rotavirus Disease and Evidence Supporting Routine Vaccination With RotaTeq to ensure listeners can further explore the content discussed.

View the product information and indication for RotaTeq here.

View the Select Safety Information from MSD below.

Select Safety Information

RotaTeq should not be administered to infants with a demonstrated history of hypersensitivity to the vaccine or any component of the vaccine.

Infants with a history of intussusception or who have congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract that could predispose infants to intussusception should not receive RotaTeq.

Infants with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease or SCID should not receive RotaTeq.

Administration of RotaTeq should be postponed in infants suffering from acute severe febrile illness. The presence of a minor infection is not a contraindication for immunisation.

The administration of RotaTeq should be postponed in subjects suffering from acute diarrhoea or vomiting.

No safety or efficacy data are available from clinical trials regarding the administration of RotaTeq to infants who are potentially immunocompromised.

Cases of gastroenteritis associated with vaccine virus have been reported post marketing in infants with severe combined immunodeficiency.

Vaccine virus transmission from vaccine recipient to nonvaccinated contacts has been reported. Caution is advised when considering whether to administer RotaTeq to individuals with immunodeficient contacts.

In post-marketing experience, intussusception (including death) and Kawasaki disease have been reported in infants who have received RotaTeq.

As a precaution, healthcare professionals should follow-up on any symptoms indicative of intussusception (severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bloody stools, abdominal bloating and/or high fever) since data from observational studies indicate an increased risk of intussusception, mostly within 7 days after rotavirus vaccination. Parents/guardians should be advised to promptly report such symptoms to their healthcare provider.

The level of protection provided by RotaTeq is based on the completion of all 3 doses. As with any vaccine, vaccination with RotaTeq may not result in complete protection in all recipients.

HQ-ROT-00133 | 02/23

Podcast References:

1.Nelson R. COVID-19 disrupts vaccine delivery. Lancet Infect Dis. 2020;20(5):546.

2.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 14th ed. Chapter 19: Rotavirus. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/rota.html. Last accessed: 6 March 2023.

3.Dormitzer PR. "Rotaviruses," Mandell GL, et al, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2019:1983-96.

4.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rotavirus. Clinical information. 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rotavirus/clinical.html. Last accessed: 13 October 2022.

5.Troeger C et al. Rotavirus vaccination and the global burden of rotavirus diarrhea among children younger than 5 years. JAMA Pediatr. 2018;172(10):958-965. Erratum in: JAMA Pediatr. 2022;176(2):208.

6.GBD Diarrhoeal Diseases Collaborators. Estimates of global, regional, and national morbidity, mortality, and aetiologies of diarrhoeal diseases: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017;17(9):909-948. Erratum in: Lancet Infect Dis. 2017 Sep;17(9):897.

7.Van Damme P et al. Rotavirus vaccines: considerations for successful implementation in Europe. Lancet Infect Dis. 2006;6(12):805-12.

8.Paul MO, Erinle EA. Influence of humidity on rotavirus prevalence among Nigerian infants and young children with gastroenteritis. J Clin Microbiol. 1982;15(2):212-5.

9.Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Infectious diseases and vaccines: rotavirus vaccine. 2020. Available at: https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/vaccines-a-to-z/rotavirus-vaccine. Last accessed: 16 September 2022.

10.GBD 2013 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators. Global, regional, and national age-sex specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet. 2015;385(9963):117-71.

11.Franco MA et al. Immunity and correlates of protection for rotavirus vaccines. Vaccine. 2006;24(15):2718-31.

12.Gentsch JR et al. Serotype diversity and reassortment between human and animal rotavirus strains: implications for rotavirus vaccine programs. J Infect Dis. 2005;192(Suppl 1):S146-59.

13.Merck & Co. RotaTeq®. Prescribing information. 2022. Available at: https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/r/rotateq/rotateq_pi.pdf. Last accessed: 4 January 2023.

14.European Medicine Agency (EMA). RotaTeq. Summary of product characteristics. 2022. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/rotateq-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Last accessed: 4 January 2023.

15.Velasquez-Portocarrero DE et al. Head-to-head comparison of the immunogenicity of RotaTeq and Rotarix rotavirus vaccines and factors associated with seroresponse in infants in Bangladesh: a randomised, controlled, open-label, parallel, phase 4 trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022;22(11):1606-16.

16.Cortese MM, Parashar UD; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis among infants and children: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2009;58(RR-2):1-25.

17.Vesikari T et al.; Rotavirus Efficacy and Safety Trial (REST) Study Team. Safety and efficacy of a pentavalent human-bovine (WC3) reassortant rotavirus vaccine. N Engl J Med. 2006;354(1):23-33.

18.Vesikari T et al. Efficacy of a pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in reducing rotavirus-associated health care utilization across three regions (11 countries). Int J Infect Dis. 2007;11(Suppl 2):S29-35.

19.Heyse JF; REST Study Team. Evaluating the safety of a rotavirus vaccine: the REST of the story. Clin Trials. 2008;5(2):131-9.

20.World Health Organization (WHO). Rotavirus vaccines: WHO position paper. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 2021;96(28):301-20.

This episode explores the challenges encountered in different healthcare settings and how storytelling can help promote wellbeing in the workplace. Lalith Wijedoru, consultant emergency paediatrician and Founder of Behind Your Mask, UK, joins Jonathan to discuss the power of storytelling within the workplace to facilitate emotional wellbeing. Wijedoru delves into the prevalence of burnout following the COVID-19 pandemic, and also speaks about working in low-resource healthcare settings across Asia.

Use the following timestamps to navigate the topics discussed in this episode:

(00:00)-Introduction 

(01:34)-What inspired Wijedoru to pursue a career in paediatric emergency medicine 

(02:35)-Global child health 

(04:13)-Socioeconomic determinants of health around the world 

(05:50)-Working in low-resource settings, and the impact this had on Wijedoru’s worldview 

(09:04)-The founding of Behind Your Mask, and how storytelling plays a part in wellbeing 

(12:08)-How a storytelling session works, and Wijedoru’s role as a facilitator in storytelling sessions 

(16:10)-The role of storytelling role in emotional wellbeing 

(18:05)-Burnout in healthcare settings 

(20:37)-NHS Voices of COVID-19 project 

(24:15)-Concept of human connection 

This episode focuses on endometriosis and discusses current and new innovative ways for diagnosing this condition. Christine Metz, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York, USA, joins Jonathan to discuss innovations in the field and the challenges around obtaining funding for women-centred conditions. Metz also discusses the ROSE study, which is investigating new ways for non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. Find out more about the ROSE study from the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound). 

Use the following timestamps to navigate the topics discussed in this episode: 

(00:00)-Introduction 

(01:51)-Metz’s origin story and path to endometriosis research 

(04:01)-Defining moments in women’s health research 

(05:25)-Explaining endometriosis 

(07:47)-Endometriosis research: the ROSE study 

(10:57)-Delays in diagnosis 

(12:44)-Recruitment for the ROSE study 

(13:15)-Endometriosis awareness 

(14:15)-Treatment options and accessibility 

(16:58)-Award-winning research on a non-invasive diagnostic test for endometriosis 

(19:28)-The ROSE II clinical trial 

(20:54)-Gaps in women’s health research 

(22:20)-Advancing Women in Science and Medicine 

(26:32)-Education and mentoring 

(29:07)-Three wishes 

This EMJ podcast discusses the gold standard of care for allergic rhinitis, and features Philip Rouadi, Professor of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Eye & Ear University, Beirut, Lebanon. Using his expertise as President of the Pan Arab Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (PASAAI) and as a Member of the House of Directors at the World Allergy Organization (WAO), Rouadi outlines the aetiology and impact allergic rhinitis has on patients, as well as delving into some of the challenges associated with diagnosing this condition.

This podcast, included any videos, attachments or links therein, is for the sole use of healthcare professionals and cannot be distributed, shared or disclosed further. This educational content is intended for scientific exchange and non-promotional purposes only. This educational content has been fully sponsored by Menarini Group and the content does not necessarily reflect the views of Menarini Group.

Alex Ford, Professor and Consultant Gastroenterologist at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK, joins Jonathan to discuss disorders of gut–brain interaction. Ford explains his specific interest in functional gastrointestinal disorders and recent revisions of their aetiology, as well as how conditions of gut–brain interaction affect quality of life and social functioning. 

Use the following timestamps to navigate the topics discussed in this episode:

(00:00)-Introduction  

(03:16)-Causes of disorders of gut–brain interaction  

(06:00)-Impact of gut–brain interaction disorders on quality of life  

(07:32)-The cost-effectiveness of eradicating H. pylori in certain conditions  

(10:15)-How Ford’s MD thesis impacted the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for the management of dyspepsia   

(12:15)-Ford’s experience as a Post-doctoral Fellow at McMaster University in Canada  

(14:24)-The effectiveness of antidepressants in the treatment of irritable bowel disease  

(16:50)-Prevalence of disorders gut–brain interaction depending on sex and ethnicity  

(19:33)-Effectiveness of the low FODMAP diet on irritable bowel disease  

(23:20)-Mental health disorders in patients with inflammatory bowel disease  

(28:30)-Ford’s three wishes for global healthcare  

Chronic lung disease currently accounts for a large percentage of deaths in both males and females. This podcast challenges stereotypes and provides insights into the differences in respiratory care between sexes. Featured on this episode is Nicolas Roche, Professor of Respiratory Medicine, Paris Cité University, and the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France.

Roche gives an overview on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), describing the leading causes and burden of this condition, and addressing gender differences and the perception that this is a predominantly male disease. Physical, social, and lifestyle differences are all considered in relation to common lung diseases such as asthma and bronchiectasis. Roche also uses his expertise to outline several important clinical considerations, including initiatives to combat underdiagnosis of COPD in females, and the steps that can be taken to improve disparities in respiratory care based on sex and gender.

This content is sponsored by Philips.

In this episode, Jonathan is joined by Adam Brown, Rheumatologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, USA. They discuss Brown’s unconventional teaching practices and how he has been awarded the teacher of the year several times at the Cleveland Clinic. They also delve into the history of rheumatology, focusing on specific rheumatological conditions such as gout, and his recent talk at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meeting. 

Use the following links to navigate the key topics discussed in this episode: 

(00:00)-Introduction 

(02:51)-Adam’s path into rheumatology 

(06:44)-Travel and learnings from being abroad 

(08:47)-Surfing in Australia  

(11:37)-The King’s disease 

(18:55)-Online rheumatology resources 

(20:45)-Rheumatology made ridiculously simple 

(27:04)-The societal impacts of plagues and pandemics throughout history  

(35:24)-Whipple disease

(39:35)-Three wishes for the future of healthcare 

Giovanni Adami, Rheumatologist at the University of Verona, Italy, joins Jonathan to discuss a range of topics, from metabolic bone disease to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, and provide an overview of causes and symptoms, as well as treatments. They further dive into the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on patients and their quality of life, as well as the association between air pollution and rheumatoid arthritis flares. 

Use the following timestamps to navigate the topics discussed in this episode: 

(00:00)-Introduction

(02:30)-Adami's origin story

(03:14)-Experiences from Alabama, USA, and research carried out there 

(06:36)-Osteoporosis and bisphosphonates 

(07:05)-Fragility fractures in diseases requiring glucocorticoids 

(10:14)-Metabolic bone disease and its causes 

(13:24)-How to reduce the number of patients with metabolic bone disease 

(14:24)-Incidence of hip fracture worldwide 

(16:29)-Positive effects of TNF-α inhibitors 

(19:21)-Benefits of Vitamin D for older patients 

(20:04)-Links between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis 

(23:13)-Arthritis types and causes 

(25:57)-Gout 

(28:55)-Impact of arthritis diagnosis on patients 

(30:54)-Association between air pollution and disease activity 

(36:47)-Three wishes for the future of healthcare 

In this third podcast, Ali Mobasheri and Daniel White focus on late-stage OA, when the burden is high for both the individual and society. Our two speakers advise patients, caregivers, and physicians about how OA disease should be managed in the end stages, when to engage patients for surgical options, and whether this is appropriate or not according to other comorbidities.

This content has been supported by Viatris