In this episode:

• Accurate diagnosis is crucial

• First-line treatments include cryotherapy and topical agents

• Set realistic expectations and educate patients

• Consider patient factors (eg. occupation, immunosuppression)

• Escalate to specialist care when indicated

Host: Dr David Lim, GP and Medical Educator

Expert: Dr Philip Tong, Dermatologist

Total time: 25 mins

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• Oral antiarrhythmics have limited efficacy and significant risks

• Catheter ablation is now a first-line option in suitable patients

• Newer ablation technology - Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is safer and faster

• Anticoagulation decisions remain based on stroke risk, not ablation status

• Genuine post-procedural issues may be benign
• Ongoing healthcare professional role - Blood pressure and risk factor control

The questions answered in this podcast are listed below.
They were compiled by GPs and health professionals around Australia who attended Healthed’s face-to-face seminars.

1. How effective are oral antiarrhythmic medications? 
2. Does this cure atrial fibrillation? 
3. What is the current state of ablation technology?
4. Can you explain what you mean by "rapid" and provide an example of how long a procedure typically takes?
5. Does reduced scarring decrease the likelihood or complexity of needing a repeat ablation?

6. What are some of the contraindications in terms of structurally abnormal heart that would be contraindications for the patient? 

7. How should atrial fibrillation be approached in patients with severe ischaemic heart disease? Does this complicate treatment?
8. If a patient has an AF ablation, can they come off my anticoagulant?
9. How do you manage patient’s embolic issues? 
10. How soon after the procedure can patients typically be discharged?
11. Following successful AF suppression, is it possible for patients to stop taking DOACs or other anticoagulants?
12. After discharge, how soon should patients follow up with their GP?
13. What should the GP monitor and what should be communicated back to the specialist?
14. When will you consider AV node ablation and insertion of a pacemaker?

Host: David Lim | Total Time: 44 mins

Expert: Prof Rukshen Weerasooriya, Sub-specialist Cardiac Electrophysiologist

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• Prebiotics in formulas and their benefits for infant gut and immune health

• Infant microbiome and how it supports developing immunity

• Role of prebiotics in early nutrition and microbiome support

• Formula advice and considerations when recommending it to parents

Host: Dr Rebecca Overton  | Total Time: 23 mins

Expert: Dr Emma Beckett, Food and Nutrition Scientist

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• Examine the vulva in menopause consultations

• Biopsy is important for diagnosis

• Differentiating vulval conditions

• Treatment with potent topical steroids

• Referral considerations

The questions answered in this podcast are listed below.
They were compiled by GPs and health professionals around Australia who attended Healthed’s face-to-face seminars.

1. Do you always examine the vulva in the menopause consult, or would you wait and see if the patient doesn’t have the expected response to vaginal oestrogen?

2. How do we differentiate between lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, or lichen simplex chronicus?

3. Do you think the itch of lichen sclerosus responds to vaginal oestrogen? Could you give this to a woman, and she’s going to get better, and you’ll never know that she had lichen sclerosus?

4. What treatments do you use, and for how long?

5. Can you take a punch biopsy from one site - the site that you think is perhaps the easiest to biopsy or looks the most affected?

6. Is a 3 mm punch biopsy big enough?

7. Do you have to pop a suture in?
8. How do you manage the care of that biopsy after you’ve done it?
9. Is referring to a dermatologist or gynaecologist better for biopsy?
10. Which steroids do you use, for how long, and what results do you expect?
11. How does a woman present with lichen planus?

Host: Dr Marita long | Total Time: 23 mins

Expert: Dr Terri Foran, Sexual Health Physician

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In this Healthed lecture, menopause expert Professor Rod Baber provides an update on the latest prevalence and understanding on these vasomotor symptoms of menopause including their implications for affected women's future health. In addition, he will discuss new non-hormonal treatments that appear to be an effective alternative for women significantly affected by hot flushes but who are unable or unwilling to take hormone therapy.

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In this Healthed lecture, Dr Alexander Sweetman, Senior Program Manager with the Australasian Sleep Association discusses the latest innovations in CBT options for insomnia including some very accessible and affordable programs and studies that may benefit many primary care patients whose quality of life is significantly impaired by this insidious and very prevalent chronic condition.

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In this Healthed lecture, Dr Tracy Leong brings GPs up to speed on the National Lung Cancer Screening Program that will commence on July 1, 2025.

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In this Healthed lecture, Associate Professor Gary Kilov explains that the expanded indications for the use of CGM will see it incorporated more and more into the primary care management of patients with diabetes, so we need to know about it. In this talk, Professor Kilov will discuss how and why CGM works, how to interpret the data it delivers and, importantly which parameters should be prioritised when making future treatment decisions for and with the patient with diabetes.

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• Screen for ADHD in patients with obesity, particularly if treatment response is poor or disordered eating behaviours

• Assess family members when ADHD is diagnosed, as it often runs in families

• Recognise that stimulants may unmask undiagnosed ADHD, offer short-term benefits while awaiting specialist care

• ADHD diagnosis can greatly improve functioning, eating habits, and self-awareness

• Reframe ADHD and obesity as neurobiological conditions, not failures of willpower, to reduce stigma and support patient engagement

Host: Dr David Lim | Total Time: 33 mins

Expert: Dr Catherine Bacus, Bariatric General Practitioner

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• Reproductive carrier screening (RCS) should be proactively integrated into preconception care

• The 3-gene, Medicare-funded panel screens for cystic fibrosis (CF), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and fragile X syndrome (FXS)

• A low-risk carrier screening result is reassuring, but not absolute

• Partner testing is essential when a patient is identified as a carrier

• Fragile X results may have implications for the patient's own health

• Genetic counselling and clear documentation are critical components of care

• Healthcare professionals play a critical role in supporting patients to understand and manage RCS and its implications

Host: Dr Sara Whitburn | Total Time:58 mins

Experts: A/Prof Marina Berbic, Genetic Pathologist and Wendy Bruce, Executive Director

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