Let's get clinical

HIV care isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. For women, what happens in (and outside) the consult can change everything. In this conversation, Cherie Bennet, Larissa Melanie and Dr Ming Lee reflect on the moments that build trust, or break it. We also hear from Associate Professor Olivia Hollingdrake on her new research into collaborative care and explore the subtle ways stigma can show up in language, assumptions, and silence. We also examine peer navigators, multidisciplinary care, and what ‘good care’ feels like when it’s trauma‑informed, stigma‑aware, and grounded in real-world scenarios, not just guidelines.Guests:Cherie Bennet, Medical educator,Nursing Policy and Advocacy Lead at ASHM  Larissa Melanie, Senior Project Officer atAHSM and person living with HIV.  Dr Ming Lee, Director and Specialist in Sexual Health, HIV and gender affirming care at Canberra Sexual Health Centre   Associate Professor, Olivia Hollingdrake from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at La Trobe UniversityResources: HIV Management Guide for Clinical Care - Women living with HIV HIV and Ageing Online Learning ModuleJourneys through the HIV Care Continuum - A visual resource to support HIV health literacy

Working with young people in sexual health requires more than clinical knowledge. It calls for trust‑building, careful communication, and an understanding of where young people are developmentally and socially. In this episode, we speak to a leading nurse practitioner in the ACT to discuss their work in a specialised service for young people. We unpack how clinicians can break down barriers that can deter young people from seeking healthcare and shares practical, experience‑based insights to help clinicians engage young people with confidence and support early, ongoing connections to care. Guest:Sandy Lendrum, Nurse Practitioner at Directions Health ServicesResources discussed in this episode:T25 Clinic WebpageSTI Guidelines This activity is supported by ACT Health Directorate.

As more trans and gender-diverse people seek care in primary health settings, providing affirming, informed, and culturally safe healthcare has become an essential clinical skill. In this episode, we step into a real-world primary care scenario to explore what gender affirming healthcare looks like in practice. Our expert guest walks through key considerations clinicians may encounter when supporting trans and gender diverse patients – from taking a sensitive and inclusive history, to understanding the informed consent model, to initiating and monitoring gender affirming hormone therapy. Looking to strengthen your confidence in these complex and important consultations? This episode offers practical, experience‑based guidance to support respectful, high‑quality, gender‑affirming care in everyday clinical practice. Access and register for the deep dive webinar: https://ashm.org.au/education/lets-get-clinical/ Guests: Dr Miranda Sherley, Sexual health physician and GPMargot, Community Health Promotion Officer at ACON Resources:Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health CareausPATH Standards of CareTransHubGet the whole story from ASHM: Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram This activity is supported by ACT Health Directorate

After being declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance in 2025, syphilis has re-emerged as a critical public health issue in Australia.In this episode, we step into a real-world clinical scenario to unpack what health professionals need to know about syphilis right now. From recognising risk and making the most of opportunistic testing, to navigating diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and partner notification. We break down how syphilis is presenting in practice and how to respond with confidence.Want to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving issue? This episode delivers a clear, practical guide to managing syphilis in today’s clinical landscape.Guests: Shannon Woodward, nurse practitionerGet the whole story from ASHM:Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Access the deep dive webinar: https://ashm.org.au/education/lets-get-clinical/Resources discussed in this episodeSTI Guidelines: Syphilis ASHM Decision Making in Syphilis Tool Contact- Canberra Sexual Health Centre  STI Guidelines: Contact Tracing Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines   This activity is supported by ACT Health Directorate.

From the management of HIV to PrEP, STIs, gender-affirming care, and emerging public health challenges, Let's get clinical is your front-row seat to what matters most in sexual health and BBVs today. Over the next few episodes, you will hear from clinicians, researchers, and community voices on the issues shaping care, policy, and practice across Australia and beyond. So what're you waiting for? Let's get clinical!Recommended for clinicians working in primary healthcare settings interested in clinical topics relating to STIs, and sexual and reproductive health in ACT. This podcast series has been made possible thanks to ACT Health.