The Round Up: A Rural Health Podcast

ENT conditions are among the most common presentations across primary care and emergency settings, but many can be challenging to diagnose and manage. In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly is joined by ENT surgeon Dr Luke Reid to unpack the most common ear, nose and throat conditions seen in regional practice.

From recurrent tonsillitis and childhood sleep-disordered breathing to hearing loss, chronic sinus disease, nosebleeds, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis and vertigo, Dr Reid shares practical insights into recognising these conditions, understanding the underlying causes, and knowing the latest management options.

Whether you're managing common ENT presentations in clinic or looking for an evidence-based update on diagnosis and treatment, this episode offers practical tips you can apply in everyday practice.

🎙️ RDAQ Conference Bonus Episode

Being reported can be one of the most confronting experiences in a doctor's career. Recorded following Dr Catriona Arnold-Nott’s incredibly popular presentation at RDAQ, this special bonus episode of The Round Up sees host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speak with Catriona about her personal experience of being reported to AHPRA and the emotional impact of navigating a formal investigation

Catriona shares what it feels like to suddenly find yourself on the other side of the healthcare system, dealing with uncertainty, fear and a loss of control while continuing to work and care for patients. She discusses the difference between everyday complaints and formal investigations, the importance of seeking support early, and the role of medical defence organisations and mental health professionals.

Whether you have faced a formal complaint, support colleagues who have, or simply want to understand more about the process, this episode offers an honest and practical perspective on an experience that can have a profound impact on a doctor's professional and personal life.

Resources:

• Doctors’ Health in Queensland
• Drs4Drs
• Woodley, M. AHPRA takes steps to reassure practitioners who received a notification. RACGP, newsGP, 27 June 2019
• Video: Arnold-Nott, C. A notification was made about me: A practitioner’s experience. AHPRA, YouTube, 25 June 2019

🎙️ RDAQ Conference Bonus Episode

Marine stingers are an iconic part of tropical Australia, but for clinicians, recognising and managing these presentations can be lifesaving. In this special bonus episode of The Round Up, recorded live at the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ) Conference 2026, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly is joined by clinical toxicologist Dr Mark Little. Together, they explore two of North Queensland's most dangerous marine envenomations: Irukandji syndrome and box jellyfish stings.

Dr Little unpacks the key differences between these conditions, from the severe pain and hypertension of Irukandji syndrome to the rapid cardiovascular collapse that can occur following a box jellyfish sting. He discusses practical approaches to resuscitation, pain management, first aid, antivenom, and the latest evidence surrounding treatments such as vinegar and magnesium sulfate. Along the way, he shares fascinating stories behind the discoveries that have shaped our understanding of these uniquely Australian conditions.

Whether you work in emergency medicine, general practice, or simply want to be prepared for tropical emergencies, this episode delivers practical, evidence-based insights into the recognition and management of marine stinger envenomation.

🎙️ RDAQ Conference Bonus Episode

Pain is more than a symptom. It is a complex protective response shaped by biology, psychology, and lived experience. In this special bonus episode of The Round Up, recorded live at the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ) Conference 2026, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with pain medicine specialist Dr Hannah Bennett about the evolving science of pain and what it means for clinical practice.

Dr Bennett explores why early movement and non-pharmacological strategies are key to managing acute pain, and why chronic pain requires a broader, person-centred approach. The conversation covers the influence of psychological and social factors, the role of neuroplasticity, and practical strategies for supporting patients with persistent pain. Dr Bennett also shares insights into pain medicine as a career and why its holistic approach is such a natural fit for general practice.

Whether you're treating acute injuries, supporting patients with chronic pain, or interested in the future of pain medicine, this episode provides practical, evidence-based insights to improve patient care.

🎙️ RDAQ Conference Bonus Episode

Concussion is more than a bump to the head, and recognising it early can change long-term outcomes. In this special bonus episode of The Round Up, recorded live at the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ) Conference 2026, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly sits down with sports and exercise physician Dr Kira James. Together, they unpack the latest evidence in concussion assessment and management.

Drawing on her experience working with elite athletes, including three Olympic campaigns, Dr James explains why only a small proportion of concussions involve loss of consciousness and why tools like the SCAT6 are invaluable in clinical practice. She discusses common symptoms, the importance of timely follow-up, and why a structured return to sport, work, and study is essential to prevent long-term complications.

Whether you're managing weekend sporting injuries, seeing patients after workplace accidents, or simply want to stay up to date with current concussion guidelines, this episode offers practical, evidence-based advice every clinician can apply.

Resources:

• Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport, Australian Sports Commission, June 2024

• Echemendia RJ, et al. SCAT6TM: Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, For Adolescents (13 years +) & Adults. Br J Sports Med, June 2023, Vol 57 No 11

• Patricios J, et al. SCOAT6TM: Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool, For Adults and Adolescents (13 years +). Br J Sports Med, June 2023, Vol 57 No 11

Research can feel out of reach in busy clinical settings, but it often starts with a simple question. In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with A/Prof Eamon Raith, ICU consultant and clinical research lead, about how clinicians in regional settings can get started in research.

From distinguishing research from audits and service evaluations to turning everyday clinical questions into meaningful studies, Eamon breaks down the process into practical, achievable steps. He shares how to refine a research question, find the right mentors, navigate ethics approval, and access local supports like statistical services. The conversation also tackles common barriers, including time, funding, and authorship, with a strong focus on integrity and collaboration.

Whether you're research-curious or ready to start your first project, this episode provides a clear, grounded roadmap to building research into your clinical career.

Resources:

• Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC)

• ICMJE | Recommendations | Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors

Urinary incontinence is common, but it is not something patients should have to live with. In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly is joined by gynaecologist Dr Ritu Rana and pelvic health physiotherapist Lauren Neill to unpack the causes, misconceptions, and management of bladder and pelvic floor conditions.

From stress and urge incontinence to prolapse and post-menopausal changes, the conversation breaks down key risk factors including childbirth, ageing, and chronic conditions. The team explores practical, evidence-based management options, from lifestyle changes and pelvic floor physiotherapy to vaginal oestrogen, medications, and surgical interventions. They also highlight the importance of early assessment, identifying red flags, and tailoring care to each patient.

Whether you're supporting patients in general practice or looking to better understand pelvic health, this episode provides a clear and practical guide to managing a common but often underreported condition.

Resources:

• Continence Health Australia

Dental emergencies can walk into any consult, and knowing what to do in those first moments can make all the difference. In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with North Queensland dentist Dr Blake Phibbs about the practical management of common dental presentations, from avulsed teeth to post-extraction infections.

Blake breaks down what to do when a tooth is knocked out, including the critical one-hour window for reimplanting adult teeth and why baby teeth should never be reinserted. He also shares simple, real-world tips like temporary stabilisation, appropriate antibiotic use, and how to differentiate between conditions such as dry socket, infection, and pulpitis. The conversation focuses on clear decision-making in time-sensitive situations, especially when immediate dental care is not available.

Whether you're in general practice, emergency care, or a rural setting without easy access to a dentist, this episode offers practical, confidence-building guidance for managing dental dramas when they present.

Resources:

• Therapeutic Guidelines – Oral and Dental Guidelines

• Queensland Government – Health – Emergency Dental

Driving is closely tied to independence, especially in regional communities, but what happens when cognitive decline comes into play? In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with geriatrician Professor Eddy Strivens about the complex and often sensitive issue of dementia and driving.

Professor Strivens explains that an early dementia diagnosis does not automatically mean stopping driving, but it does require careful, ongoing assessment of memory, judgment, and spatial awareness. He outlines practical tools clinicians can use, from in-clinic cognitive screening to on-road assessments, and discusses the real-world challenges patients face, including cost and access in Far North Queensland. The conversation also explores conditional licensing, early planning, and how to approach these discussions with patients and their families in a way that balances safety with dignity.

Whether you’re a GP, training doctor, or part of a multidisciplinary team supporting older patients, this episode offers clear, practical guidance on navigating one of the most challenging aspects of dementia care.

Resources:

• MoCA Cognition

• Austroads Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines

• Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine Position Statement Driving and Dementia. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 2010, 29: 137-141.

• Dementia Australia – Driving and dementia

Diabetes in pregnancy is more common than many realise, and the consequences can last a lifetime. In the first episode of 2026 of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with Dr Anna McLean, General Endocrinologist and Clinical Lead for Diabetes in Pregnancy at Cairns Hospital, about the rising prevalence and what it means for clinicians on the ground.

With 23% of births in Cairns affected by diabetes, Dr McLean unpacks the spectrum from gestational diabetes to pre-existing type 1 and type 2 diabetes. She outlines practical management strategies — from nutrition therapy and exercise as first-line treatment to appropriate use of metformin and insulin — and explains why early referral, preconception planning, and close monitoring are critical to preventing congenital anomalies, obstetric complications, and long-term metabolic risk for both mother and baby.

Whether you provide antenatal care, manage young women with diabetes, or want to strengthen your approach to preconception counselling, this episode delivers clear, evidence-based guidance to start the year strong.

Resources:

• ADIPS: GDM Diagnosis and Screening Guidelines

• Queensland Health Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Clinical Guidelines