In the UK in 2009 there were 4.2 million prescription items dispensed, at a cost of £19 million. Interventions to reduce the number of long term users of Benzodiazepines would have both clinical and economical benefits. This EKU podcast discusses the current issues of Benzodiazepines use in primary care and ways in which it can be reduced with Dr Alan Cohen, Director of Primary Care at the West London Mental Health Trust.

Essential Knowledge Update 9: Long-term Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

The Essential Knowledge Update podcasts provide RCGP members and subscribers with the opportunity to get acquainted with the topics of an Update through a different medium. The podcasts discuss the most important educational messages of an update with the respective authors, adding a further dimension to the learning experience.

Science & Medicine

Natural Sciences

Social Sciences

Medicine

There has been a 400% increase in deaths from liver disease between 1970-2010. Liver disease is now the 5th biggest cause of premature mortality. Dr Kevin Fernando, a GP with a special interest in diabetes and medical education and RCGP Clinical Adviser based in North Berwick, Edinburgh speaks to Dr Sally Higginbottom about this topic.

Management of abnormal liver blood tests (EKU2018.3)

Studies report that between 4-51% of women are affected by heavy periods. Dr Anne Lashford, a GP in Wiltshire and one of the Vice Presidents of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care speaks to Dr Sally Higginbottom about this topic.

Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management (EKU2018.3)

Endometriosis is associated with infertility and is also associated with a lower quality of life with women taking more sick days because of the condition. Dr Anne Connolly, a GP in Bradford with an interest in gynaecology and an RCGP Clinical Champion for Menstrual Wellbeing speaks to Dr Sally Higginbottom about this topic.

Endometriosis: diagnosis and management (EKU2018.2)

The National Review into Asthma Deaths in 2014 found that 46% of asthma deaths may have been avoidable if guidelines were followed. Dr Matt Doyle, a GP in Jersey with an interest in allergic disease and asthma and an RCGP Clinical Adviser speaks to Dr Sally Higginbottom about this topic.

Diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management (EKU2018.2)

Axial spondyloarthritis is often misdiagnosed as mechanical back pain with an average delay of 8.5 years between symptom onset and diagnosis. Dr Arsalan Zamir, a GP in Watford with an interest in Sports and exercise medicine and an RCGP Clinical Adviser speaks to Dr Sally Higginbottom about this topic.

Essential Knowledge Update 9: Long-term Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

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