Cardiovascular disease remains one of Australia’s leading causes of death — and general practice sits at the heart of prevention, early detection and timely escalation.

In this Heart Week episode of sMater, host Jillian Whiting and GP specialist Dr Maria Boulton are joined by Dr Nick Aroney, interventional and structural cardiologist at Mater, to unpack what frontline clinicians need to know right now.

Together they explore:

• How much heart disease is truly preventable
• When CT coronary calcium scoring can change management
• Navigating statins, soft plaque and patient resistance
• Recognising atypical presentations, particularly in women
• When symptoms should trigger urgent escalation
• The quiet progression of valvular heart disease — and why auscultation still matters
• How advances like TAVI, AF ablation and heart–brain teams are reshaping outcomes

This is a practical, evidence‑informed conversation designed to support everyday decision‑making in general practice — when to reassure, when to escalate, and how evolving cardiology care can change lives.

sMater is a podcast by clinicians, for clinicians, brought to you by Mater.

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

What’s really driving Australia’s worst flu seasons—and what can clinicians do now?

As Queensland heads into flu season, Professor Paul Griffin returns to sMater to unpack what’s new in influenza prevention and protection. From updated vaccines targeting subclade K, to FluMist—the new needle‑free nasal spray vaccine for children—this episode covers what clinicians need to know right now.

You’ll also hear practical insights on:

• Why flu is no longer just a winter illness
• The real world impact of vaccination on severity and hospitalisation
• Antivirals: who they’re for and why timing matters
• RSV and COVID updates for 2026, including new funded vaccines.

A must‑listen for GPs, pharmacists and healthcare professionals preparing for a challenging respiratory virus season.

🎧 sMater is brought to you by Mater, an Australian leader in healthcare for more than a century.

🎙️ Hosted by Jillian Whiting and Dr Maria Boulton

 🎤 Guest: Professor Paul Griffin, Director of Infectious Diseases, Mater

GP Education activity log:

Podcast title: sMater: Influenza 2026
Provider: Mater Misericordiae Ltd
Date published: 30 April 2026
Certificate of completion: https://www.mater.org.au/getmedia/efdfa97a-efec-44e0-b96e-9d8dfcb6e677/sMater-Certificate-of-Participation-Professor-Paul-Griffin-Influenza.pdf

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

Gallbladder disease is one of the most common reasons for abdominal pain presentations in general practice — but managing gallstones, gallbladder polyps and incidental findings isn’t always straightforward.

In this episode of sMater, a podcast by clinicians for clinicians, hosts Jillian Whiting and Dr Maria Boulton are joined by Mater Hepatobiliary Surgeon Dr Harsheet Sethi to unpack the latest evidence, myths and practical guidance on gallbladder disease.

Together, they explore:

• How common gallstones are in Australia and who is most at risk
• Typical and atypical presentations of biliary colic
• How to interpret incidental gallbladder findings on ultrasound
• When to worry about gallbladder polyps, porcelain gallbladder and cancer risk
• Surveillance vs referral: what GPs should do and when
• The impact of weight loss, pregnancy and GLP‑1 medications on gallstones
• Best‑practice timing for cholecystectomy and management of waiting‑list patients
• Post‑cholecystectomy myths, complications and ongoing symptoms

This episode provides clear, practical takeaways for GPs and clinicians, helping cut through uncertainty, reduce unnecessary referrals, and support confident, evidence‑based decision‑making in everyday practice.

🎧 sMater is brought to you by Mater, an Australian leader in healthcare for more than a century.

GP Education activity log:

Podcast title: sMater: Gallbladder disease
Provider: Mater Misericordiae Ltd
Date published: 31 March 2026
Certificate of completion: sMater Certificate of Completion

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

On the latest episode of sMater, we explore the complex and often misunderstood journey of ovarian cancer through the powerful story of patient Margaret Gooch — and the expertise of Mater Gynaecological Oncologist Dr Nim Cabraal.

Margaret shares her deeply personal diagnosis journey, from vague abdominal symptoms and a winding path to answers, through surgery, chemotherapy, HIPEC, and life-changing targeted therapy. 

Dr Cabraal unpacks the clinical decision-making behind ovarian cancer treatment — including when to refer to a gynaecological oncologist, the value of genetic and tumour testing, and how HIPEC is used to improve survival for women with advanced disease.

Together, they discuss the red flags clinicians should watch for, the essential role of exercise and wellness during treatment, and the cutting-edge research underway at Mater and the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer Research.

GP Education activity log:

Podcast title: sMater: Ovarian Cancer Patient Story
Provider: Mater Misericordiae Ltd
Date published: 25 February 2025
Certificate of completion: https://www.mater.org.au/getmedia/7f414cd9-4fd6-4c3e-ac8c-80112e7d16fe/sMater-Certificate-of-Participation-Ovarian-Cancer-Care.pdf

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

In this episode of sMater, we explore endometriosis and the innovative role Botox can play in managing chronic pain.

Mater Private Hospital Brisbane Gynaecologist Dr Albert Jung shares his expertise on why endometriosis rates are rising, conventional treatment options, and how pelvic floor Botox injections are helping patients with refractory pain. 

He also explains the science behind Botox therapy, its effectiveness, potential side effects, and why a multidisciplinary approach is key to long-term success.

GP Education activity log: 

- Podcast title - sMater: Endometriosis and the innovative role Botox can play
- Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd 
- Date published – 10 December 2025

- Certificate of completion - https://www.mater.org.au/getmedia/389420ee-913a-4ecd-bc12-7a321b66a692/sMater-Certificate-of-Participation-Endometriosis-and-botox.pdf

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

In this episode of sMater, Orthopaedic Surgeon A/Prof Mike Reid explores the rise of knee injuries in sport—especially among women and weekend warriors. 

From ACL reconstructions to meniscus preservation, A/Prof Reid shares expert insights on diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and the future of orthopedic surgery including robotics and meniscal transplants.

GP Education activity log: 
- Podcast title - sMater: Knee injuries in sport
- Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd 
- Date published – 24 October 2025
- Certificate of completion - https://www.mater.org.au/getmedia/343ed4bd-c064-4ff4-8862-fa7672ee1d32/sMater-Certificate-of-Participation-Knee-injuries-in-sport.pdf

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

In this episode of sMater, patient Clemence Thompson shares her personal journey through breast cancer care at Mater, offering insights from diagnosis to recovery.

Clem reflects on the care, compassion, and clinical excellence that shaped her experience — reminding us of the human impact behind every treatment plan.

Whether you're a medical practitioner, nurse, allied health professional, or student, this episode offers a unique perspective on patient-centred care during the cancer journey.

GP Education activity log: 
- Podcast title - sMater: A Patient's Breast Cancer Journey
- Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd 
- Date published – 17 October 2025
- Certificate of completion - https://www.mater.org.au/getmedia/ceab4c88-d674-44ce-a949-9d48f0f31d32/sMater-Certificate-of-Participation-A-Patient-s-Breast-Cancer-Journey.pdf

#sMater #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #Mater #Oncology #PatientExperience #MedicalCommunity #HealthcareLeadership

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

This week, we have a new episode of sMater featuring Dr Cathy Franklin and Dr James McAuliffe from the Queensland Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability and Autism Health. 

The episode explores the complexities of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across the lifespan and highlights Mater’s newly established Centre of Excellence, an integrated clinical and research hub that supports patients across Queensland, trains the mental health workforce, and drives innovation in autism care.

GP Education activity log: 

- Podcast title - sMater: Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd 
- Date published – 8 September 2025

- Certificate of completion - https://www.mater.org.au/getmedia/4b426229-08c6-4d2d-900e-5b7a7daabf1c/sMater-Certificate-of-Participation-Autism-Spectrum-Disorder.pdf

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

In this episode of sMater, Mater Neurosurgeon Dr Martin Wood discusses robotic-assisted spine surgery and how it is transforming outcomes by enabling minimally invasive procedures and improving surgical precision.

He highlights what GPs should look for when referring patients and how this technology is expanding access and reshaping care for patients across Queensland.

#smater #mater #neurosurgery #neurosurgeon 

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

In this episode of sMater, Professor Aileen McGonigal, from Mater’s Epilepsy Unit, discusses the groundbreaking Australian Epilepsy Project—set to be the world’s largest epilepsy study. 

Discover how cutting-edge imaging, genetics, and AI are transforming diagnosis and treatment, and why GPs and clinicians across Australia should tune in.

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/