Medical

GPs will often identify psychotic symptoms in their patients and be responsible for considering antipsychotic therapy in patients who are treatment naïve. In this interview we look at the considerations that are important when we are contemplating treatment choice.

In this interview we discuss major depressive disorder (MDD) in all its complexity and the challenge it presents to us. MDD not only impacts a patient’s mood, but also their social lives, their professional lives and of course their family and other relationships. We discuss these issues in the setting of treatment choices and the importance of identifying and treating the constellation of MDD symptoms in practice.

This audio file contains all 6 interviews on this edition.

• Track 1, Do we really know what is happening with our asthmatic patients?
• Track 2, Managing patients on mepolizumab for severe asthma in the general practice setting
• Track 3, Managing men’s health during the pandemic
• Track 4, Recurrent UTIs and prophylaxis in the era of antibiotic resistance
• Track 5, Treating schizophrenia and involving patients in treatment decisions in GP practice
• Track 6, The importance of treating the constellation of major depressive disorder symptoms in GP practice

To view reference lists or product information please go to the individual tracks.

When managing osteoporosis, we’re dealing with a very vulnerable cohort of patients, older patients, patients at risk of fractures, patients we don’t want in hospitals, and these patients also are the COVID-19 cohort of concern. Patients may not believe that osteoporosis treatment and prevention is high on their list when they’re so preoccupied with concerns about getting sick, but we as their treating doctors need to emphasise the importance of continuous treatment and facilitate measures to help patients keep it as simple as possible.

With more than 90% of teenagers aged 16 to 18 years in Australia suffering from acne, we GPs certainly see a lot of this condition. It’s so important that we treat acne early, it can improve quality of life, it can improve psycho-social upset, it can improve self-confidence, self-esteem and prevent scarring. In this interview we discuss the current landscape in acne management.

When treating hypertension, we’re not treating the patient to lower their blood pressure, we’re treating the patient to lower their risk, we’re trying to prevent a heart attack, a stroke, heart failure or dying, so it’s all about treating them well and treating them as best as possible. Prof. Sindone talks through his advice and tips on the management of hypertension.

GPs are on the front line when it comes to treating depression, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. In this interview we discuss the CHEER index which taps into both positively and negatively valenced mood, and can easily be brought into a clinical discussion to assess if our patients have returned to their usual ability to both enjoy things, but also grieve or feel sadness appropriately.

Patients on medication for schizophrenia are at an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, but also early death. It’s important to support our patients for both their mental health needs and their physical concerns, and this all needs to happen in partnership between the psychiatrist, GP and other health professionals. In this interview Prof. Warden talks through how to manage the complex needs of people with schizophrenia.

This audio file contains all 5 interviews on this edition.

• Track 1, Management of osteoporosis during the COVID-19 crisis
• Track 2, A new face in acne care
• Track 3, Hypertension, start with the end in mind
• Track 4, The importance of improving interest, pleasure and emotional range when treating major depressive disorder
• Track 5, Schizophrenia: Preventing patients from falling through the cracks

To view reference lists or product information please go to the individual tracks.

Shingles, it’s more than just a rash; postherpetic neuralgia, facial scaring, vision loss and increased risk of stroke – these are all possible complications. In this interview we discuss vaccination as GP recommendation is the most important predictor of vaccine uptake.