Things I Think About When I Think About Running (and Morphine)

This episode starts on a Sydney oval before sunrise.Kate reflects on her weekly Wednesday run, the quiet rituals of turning up, the characters who share the track, the sociology of shared spaces, and the reminder that the ability to move your body is never something to take for granted.From there, the conversation moves into medicine.After watching The Pitt, Kate unpacks a common myth about morphine in palliative care, the persistent idea that opioids given at the end of life hasten death. Drawing on her experience in palliative care pharmacy, she explains how opioids are actually used to relieve pain and breathlessness, why addiction is not the issue people think it is, and how careful dosing can restore comfort and dignity for patients.Finally, with winter approaching, Kate walks through the 2026 influenza vaccine rollout in Australia, explaining why flu vaccines change every year, why all vaccines are now trivalent, and how the different options (Influvac, Flucelvax, Fluzone High-Dose and FluMist) work.Along the way, she explores the idea that healthcare decisions rarely affect just one person — whether it’s medication myths, palliative care, or vaccination, we’re all part of a much bigger chain.Evidence-based medicine, midlife health, and a few observations from running laps in the dark.Whether you are in perimenopause, approaching menopause, or simply trying to understand your hormones, I've got you.Read more about this episode at Medication Clarity Clinic, Kate's own medication education and telehealth consulting site: https://medicationclarity.com.auFollow Kate for more no-nonsense health education at @prescribeorpass on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook.