NB Hot Topics Podcast

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. More new research to discuss for the world of general practice.

First, which antibiotic is actually best for managing uncomplicated UTI - is UK guidance offering the best choice to women?

Second, are you using the Kidney Failure Risk Equation in your patients with CKD? New research on how your risk of death may be much more important than your risk of end-stage re...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we have three new pieces of research that affect us in general practice. 

First: What interim anti-coagulation would you give your patient with suspected VTE? One common option has 5 times the rate of major bleeding.

Second: How much muscle mass do people lose with weight loss on GLP1s? Is this different from lifestyle-based interventions, an...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Three new research papers to help us along our way in general practice this month.

First, how long do modern hip replacements last? How does this new data change our conversation with patients?

Second, it's thought GLP1 agonists could have a role in addiction management, but so far, research has failed to show a definitive benefit. Could new data from the US on ve...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.Three new pieces of research to talk about in today's podcast. 

First, in the NEJM - could patients stop anti-coagulation after ablation for AF? Conventional practice says no. Does this paper change that?

Second, in JAMA - can spinal manipulation, or clinician-guided self-management, or both help with low back pain? This paper is a good crack.

Finally, in the B...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we have three new and interesting research papers to look at. 

First, hitting the headlines this week, weight regain after cessation of GLP1 receptor agonists. Not a surprise, perhaps, but how fast does the weight come back, can anything be done to prevent it, and what are the implications for patients and the NHS?

Second, orforglipron - the ...

Welcome to the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Merry Christmas, everyone! This is a special edition on empathy in general practice. Does it matter, and what does the research tell us? Can not being a grinch in surgery make a difference to our patients and ourselves? 

We are joined by NB colleague Dr Andy Ward, who is also Associate Professor of Medical Education and an Honorary Senior Academic General Pr...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we have three new and interesting research papers to look at. 

First, new data on the effects of social media use and cognitive development in younger adolescents. Is it really a problem? Second, can a simple urine sample be as accurate as a smear test for identifying cervical HPV, and what do women feel about this? Finally, if you're strugg...

Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we look at three new pieces of research and have a special interview in conjunction with Prostate Cancer UK. 

First, do antidepressants have physiological side effects? How do they compare to each other, and how does this influence what we prescribe to whom?

Second, exercise is a key treatment for knee osteoarthritis, but which type...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker! In this episode, we talk about some real research rather than stuff made up by over-tanned heads of state. Three papers. 

First, can researchers fill the gap on whether anti-inflammatory reliever therapy is best for mild asthma? 

Second, how effective are SCAN pathways for suspected cancer in patients with non-specific symptoms who don't meet site-s...

Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this new season, we chat to Dr Simon Curtis about the upcoming Autumn 2025 Hot Topics course, then discuss three new pieces of research.

First, in the Lancet, which are the best anti-hypertensives, what effect does increasing a dose actually have and how good are combinations? Second, in the NEJM, does giving all the drugs improve CKD outcomes? The case f...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. I hope you are all enjoying the summer and that your IT treats you well. In this podcast, we have two new studies to think about.

First, should children with gastroenteritis be given anti-emetics? Would ondansetron help and improve outcomes? 

Second, can methotrexate help knee osteoarthritis? It would be great if this would work, but hope only gets us so far....

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. While everyone tries to unpick the new NHS 10-year plan, we focus on the here and now with three new pieces of research.

We kick off with two gems in the BJGP - first, examining whether anti-depressants actually help with insomnia, and second, whether anti-depressants cause postural hypotension in older people, and which may be the worst. Finally, we look at a go...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we look at three new pieces of research with implications for general practice.

Firstly, can exercise prevent the recurrence of colorectal cancer? Short answer, yes. But how much exercise did you need to do, and what on earth is a MET? 

Secondly, what are the concerns around low-dose amitriptyline use for IBS from patients and GPs? How can we...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this edition, we look at three new pieces of research.

First, in the BMJ, a paper exploring whether a GP-led psychological intervention can help PTSD symptoms in our patients after ICU. Could this also be successful for other forms of trauma?

Second, in the Lancet, research looking at whether semaglutide can improve walking distance in patients with diabetes an...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Stephen Bradley, lead author of a new paper published in the BJGP looking at rates of CXR use in general practice and how this influences lung cancer stage at diagnosis and mortality. 

He discusses the findings of his research and how this might influence our practice. 

In other research, we look at a new paper in the...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we look at three new papers with practice-changing consequences. 

Firstly, can treating partners of women with bacterial vaginosis prevent recurrence? Secondly, can semaglutide be effective in alcohol misuse? Finally, is tirzepatide an effective treatment for pre-diabetes in people with obesity (take a guess...!)?

References

NEJM Male partner ...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. This is the fourth in our series of special podcasts where we talk to interesting and influential people from the world of general practice.

In this interview, we talk to Dr Helen Salisbury, GP & BMJ columnist.

A working GP for more than 20 years, Helen has also reached the wider medical community through her regular column in the BMJ. A fierce advocate for g...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. This week we look at three new pieces of research.

First, we have a paper in the BMJ exploring arterial thrombosis risk with modern hormonal contraceptives including newer treatments such as the combined patch and ring. Second, we have a BJGP paper looking at which type of safety net advice is the most effective. Finally, a new paper in JAMA Internal Med...

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. This is the third in our series of special podcasts where we talk to interesting and influential people from the world of general practice.

In this interview, we talk to Dr Euan Lawson, GP and editor of the BJGP.

The journal will be familiar to all clinicians in general practice and has gone from strength to strength over the past few years. We talk about his car...