On The Wards: On The Pods Medical Podcast for Doctors

Sarah Dalton chats to Angelina Tjokrowidjaja about malignant spinal cord compression, a common complication of cancer that occurs in up to 10% of patients. As a junior doctor, you might encounter a spinal cord compression in the Emergency Department, during an after-hours shift on haematology or oncology wards, or when on rotation in these areas. Malignant spinal cord compression can cause pain and potentially irreversible neurological deficits, early recognition is key for a good outcome.

Summary Writer:  Jane McDonnell

Script Writer:  Angelina Tjokrowidjaja

Editor:  Angelina Tjokrowidjaja

Interviewer:  Sarah Dalton

Interviewee:  Angelina Tjokrowidjaja

About Dr Angelina Tjokrowidjaja

Dr Angelina Tjokrowidjaja is currently a Medical Oncology Clinical Trials Fellow at St George Hospital and a PhD candidate at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, New South Wales, Australia. Angelina completed her Master of Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology) while working as a junior doctor at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales. She is currently researching how to better individualise targeted and biological therapies in patients with advanced cancers using biomarkers. Angelina is also invested in teaching and is a tutor of medical students and junior doctors in the university and clinical setting.

Summary Writer:  Jane McDonnell Script Writer:  Jessica Borbasi Editor:  Jessica Borbasi Interviewee:  Jessica Borbasi Jessica Borbasi chats to James about crisis medications. Dr Jessica Borbasi is an Advance Trainee in Palliative Medicine. After completing her basic physicians training she took a year off to work at a think tank, the Centre for Independent Studies. She is the author of "Life Before Death: improving palliative care for older Australians" and is passionate about educating doctors and the public about the true nature of palliative medicine particularly, its ability to improve living not just dying.

Crisis medications in palliative care

Dr Jessica Borbasi chats to James Edwards about palliative medicine. You will learn more about the role of palliative care and crisis medications for end of life care. We will discuss the Clinical Excellence Commission’s guidelines on the prescribing of anticipatory medicines for symptoms experienced in the last days of life. Are you aware of any contraindications? Is there a role for subcutaneous fluids? We will also go through an example case to put this all into perspective.

Summary Writer:  Jane McDonnell

Script Writer:  Jessica Borbasi

Editor:  Jessica Borbasi

Interviewee:  Jessica Borbasi

About Dr Jessica Borbasi

Dr Jessica Borbasi is an Advance Trainee in Palliative Medicine. After completing her basic physicians training she took a year off to work at a think tank, the Centre for Independent Studies. She is the author of "Life Before Death: improving palliative care for older Australians" and is passionate about educating doctors and the public about the true nature of palliative medicine, particularly its ability to improve living not just dying.

Summary writer:  Jane McDonnell Script Writer:  Chris Elliot Editor:  Caroline Ford Interviewee:  Caroline Ford Caroline Ford chats to James about ovarian cancer, from a researcher's perspective.  Most women with ovarian cancer (about 75%) are diagnosed at stage III or IV. Dr Caroline Ford leads the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at the University of New South Wales. Her research aims to understand why gynaecological cancers develop, how and why they spread throughout the body, and how best to treat them.  Caroline is also an experienced university lecturer, convening courses on medical research, cancer pathology and personalised medicine and is passionate about science communication and enhancing the health literacy of the wider community. Caroline is a strong advocate for women in science and was recently named an inaugural Superstar of STEM, a national program aimed at giving young women and girls a new generation of role models.

Ovarian cancer and research

In this podcast, Dr Caroline Ford chats to James about ovarian cancer from a researcher's perspective. Majority of women (about 75%) receive the ovarian cancer diagnosis when they are at stage III or IV. The symptoms and signs are often non-specific and present late. As a result, this leads to late diagnosis and limited options for therapy. Learn more about what research can do to help with ovarian cancer early intervention in this podcast.

Summary writer:  Jane McDonnell

Script Writer:  Chris Elliot

Editor:  Caroline Ford

Interviewee:  Caroline Ford

About Dr Caroline Ford

Dr Caroline Ford leads the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at the University of New South Wales. Her research aims to understand why gynaecological cancers develop, how and why they spread throughout the body, and how best to treat them.  Caroline is also an experienced university lecturer, convening courses on medical research, cancer pathology and personalised medicine. And, she is passionate about science communication and enhancing the health literacy of the wider community. Caroline is a strong advocate for women in science and was recently named an inaugural Superstar of STEM, a national program aimed at giving young women and girls a new generation of role models.

Summary Writer:  Jane McDonnell Script Writer:  Angelina Tjokrowidjaja Editor:  Caroline Ford Interviewee:  Caroline Ford Caroline Ford chats to James about why Junior Medical Officers should consider getting involved in research. Dr Caroline Ford leads the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at the University of New South Wales. Her research aims to understand why gynaecological cancers develop, how and why they spread throughout the body, and how best to treat them.  Caroline is also an experienced university lecturer, convening courses on medical research, cancer pathology and personalised medicine and is passionate about science communication and enhancing the health literacy of the wider community. Caroline is a strong advocate for women in science and was recently named an inaugural Superstar of STEM, a national program aimed at giving young women and girls a new generation of role models.

Caroline Ford chats to James about why Junior Medical Officers should consider getting involved in medical research.

Summary Writer:  Jane McDonnell

Script Writer:  Angelina Tjokrowidjaja

Editor:  Caroline Ford

Interviewee:  Caroline Ford

About Dr Caroline Ford

Dr Caroline Ford leads the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at the University of New South Wales. Her research aims to understand why gynaecological cancers develop, how and why they spread throughout the body, and how best to treat them.  Caroline is also an experienced university lecturer, convening courses on medical research, cancer pathology and personalised medicine and is passionate about science communication and enhancing the health literacy of the wider community. Caroline is a strong advocate for women in science and was recently named an inaugural Superstar of STEM, a national program aimed at giving young women and girls a new generation of role models.

Summary Writer:  Rose McCarthy Script Writers:  Melanie Boon and Margot Gook Editors:  Margot Gook and Melanie Boon Interviewees:  Melanie Boon and Margot Gook James chats to Margot Gook and Melanie Boon about debriefing after a traumatic incident at work. All staff in hospital systems may be in need of debriefing due to traumatic incidences at work. Debriefing with a psychologist (and not just your supervisor) can provide benefits of confidentiality and coping strategies. Margot Gook is a Senior Consultant Psychologist with EAP (Employee Assistance Program) at Sydney Local Health District. Margot has 20 years of experience in Trauma Counselling and has worked training staff in psychological disaster response and debriefing. She has extensive experience in areas of building resilience,  team building, coaching and organisational change. Melanie Boon is a psychologist with the Employee Assistance Program at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District. Melanie has experience in various clinical settings such as community mental health, private practice, workers compensation and EAP settings.

Summary Writer:  Jane McDonnell Script Writer:  Becky Taylor Editor:  Nhi Nguyen Interviewee:  Nhi Nguyen James chats to Nhi Nguyen about common medical issues in the pregnant patient. Pregnant patients can be daunting for junior doctors for a number of reasons, the risk of missing something serious is a high burden of responsibility when there are two patients to consider, and the presentation may be caused by a medical problem unrelated to pregnancy or may be a specific pathology related to pregnancy. Dr Nhi Nguyen is a Senior Staff Specialist in the Department of Intensive Care at Nepean Hospital in Sydney, Australia.  She is also Clinical Advisor at Intensive Care NSW and at the Agency for Clinical Innovation.  Nhi provides advice on the antenatal and peripartum management of pregnant patients with medical problems and has an interest in the critically ill obstetric patient.

James chats to Nhi Nguyen about common medical issues in pregnant patients.

Pregnant patients can be daunting for junior doctors for a number of reasons, the risk of missing something serious is a high burden of responsibility when there are two patients to consider, and the presentation may be caused by a medical problem unrelated to pregnancy or may be a specific pathology related to pregnancy.

Summary Writer:  Jane McDonnell

Script Writer:  Becky Taylor

Editor:  Nhi Nguyen

Interviewee:  Nhi Nguyen

About Dr Nhi Nguyen

Dr Nhi Nguyen is a Senior Staff Specialist in the Department of Intensive Care at Nepean Hospital in Sydney, Australia. She is also Clinical Advisor at Intensive Care NSW and at the Agency for Clinical Innovation. Nhi provides advice on the antenatal and peripartum management of pregnant patients with medical problems and has an interest in the critically ill obstetric patient.