Specialty

The Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatrists released updated clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders in 2021. In this interview we’re talking with one of the co-authors of the guidelines, about the changes with particular emphasis on the sometimes controversial additions, and new sections such as the seven ‘Choice’ antidepressants, circadian function as a potential intervention target, and moving away from the term treatment-resistant depression.

It’s well established that cognitive functioning can be significantly affected in people with all mental illnesses and cognitive impairment is one of the known symptoms of schizophrenia. Cognitive deficits significantly impact our patients’ overall functioning, quality of life, but earlier treatment and functional recovery may help improve outcomes. In this interview we talk about cognitive impairment in mental illness, the value of cognitive assessment tools and treatments that can improve cognitive functioning in people with schizophrenia, with a focus on lurasidone.

Renal: Haemodialysis remains the most common type of kidney replacement therapy, with more than 2 million people on haemodialysis worldwide. Arteriovenous fistulas created with native vessels are considered the vascular access of choice for haemodialysis and maintaining the integrity of the fistula is a key component of management. Vascular access dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity, mortality and excess healthcare costs, and maintaining effective, functioning vascular access to provide adequate dialysis is an ongoing challenge. In this interview we discuss AV fistula maintenance, including the use of plastic cannulas versus metal needles, as well as treatments for access flow dysfunction.
30 minute listen

Psychiatry: When we treat patients with major depressive disorder, we do achieve remission in a significant proportion, but many patients may continue to have residual symptoms such as tiredness, the inability to concentrate and ongoing feelings of a lack of pleasure and emotional attachment in their lives. These may affect a patient’s ability to function in the workplace, at home while studying and can reduce their quality of life. In this interview we discuss the impact of residual symptoms. 19-minute listen

Psychiatry: We’ve become increasingly aware about the importance and impacts of residual symptoms such as tiredness, anhedonia and cognitive symptoms in patients being treated for major depressive disorder¹. In this interview we discuss how we can better manage residual symptoms in our patients. 28 minute listen

Haematology: The treatment landscape in multiple myeloma has changed considerably over the past few years, resulting in a significant shift in the treatment paradigm in the relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma space. Join myeloma expert Prof. Hang Quach as she discusses the implications of these changes to current guidelines and treatment practices, and shares her thoughts on the optimal use of new therapies moving forward. 26-minute listen

Haematology: Earlier this year, the PBAC expanded the listing for carfilzomib to include once-weekly dosing in addition to twice-weekly dosing, in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. In addition, daratumumab achieved its first listing, in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone. Join haematologist Dr Wojt Janowski as he discusses these recent changes to the PBS, and learn how he manages relapsed/refractory myeloma patients in his clinic.  30-minute listen

General Specialty: Undergoing surgery increases the risk of VTE and many patients spend a lot of time in bed after surgery, leading to poor blood flow and the risk of developing a VTE: Join us in this interview where we discuss how surgeons can reduce the risks of developing blood clots in their patients.  23-minute listen

General Specialty: There are many patients across Australia and New Zealand that rely on dialysis each year. Management of anti-coagulation for these patients can be challenging and a number of approaches are available. In this interview we explore some of the different options available for prescribers and their patients.  20-minute listen

General Specialty: Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are two of the most prevalent chronic conditions in older persons and they share overlapping risk factors and also pathogenesis. When they occur together, they are known as osteosarcopenia. People with osteosarcopenia have an increased risk of falls, fractures and hospitalisations, and also a greatly reduced quality of life. In this interview we discus tools for assessing risk and appropriate management of the condition.   27 minute listen