NB Hot Topics Podcast
by NB Medical Education
The Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical brings you the latest in general practice current affairs, reviews the latest research relevant to primary care, explores interesting and important topics in-depth, and looks at cutting edge medicine.
Episodes
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S8 E2: Retatrutide for Weight Loss; Statins for The Elderly; NHS-Galleri for Cancer
Welcome to the latest Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Three great pieces of research, all from the New England Journal of Medicine, to discuss today. First up. Retatrutide - how effective is this injectable weight-loss medication? Can it help other problems like knee OA…
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S8 E1: "Be Like the Dentists song"; future medicine - lipoprotein (a); NHS health checks & death; exercise for bones; texts for statins
Welcome to Season 8 of the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Lots of research, as usual, and some future medicine too. Do NHS health checks actually make a difference, or is it a waste of everybody's time? This month's BJGP has the answer. From the BMJ this week, which...
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S7 E13: Antihistamines & Eczema; Long Term Opioids or Self-Directed CBT for Pain
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this summer sizzler, we have three new pieces of research for clinicians in general practice. First, do antihistamines help with managing atopic eczema, or do they do more harm than good? Does which one we use matter?…
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S7 E12: Nasal Sprays vs URTI Redux; Orforglipron vs Dapa; Hypnotherapy in Kids; Interview with Dr Liz Bancroft and Natalia Norori on Prostate Cancer Screening with BRCA2
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we have three new pieces of research and a special interview later on discussing the recommendations of the National Screening Committee on prostate cancer screening in the UK. First up for research: nasal...
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S7 E11: Interview with Dr Anna Martinez on Epidermolysis Bullosa; Finerenone for CKD without T2DM; Retatrutide monotherapy for T2DM
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Lots going on in this new episode! Three new pieces of research and an interview with Dr Anna Martinez, consultant paediatric dermatologist at GOSH, talking about a skin fragility condition many of us may not have heard of...
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S7 E10: "Fit Note for the Last GP" song; Best UTI Abx; Kidney Failure Risk Tool & Death; Phone Empathy & Outcomes
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…
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S7 E9: Best DOAC for VTE; Muscle loss with GLP1s; CDSSs - why don't we use them?
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...
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S7 E8: Longevity of THR; GLP1a for Addiction; Analgesia for Kids
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…
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S7 E7: Stopping Anticoags After Ablation; Spinal Manipulation for Back Pain; Talking About Dying
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...
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S7 E6: Weight Regain with GLP1ra; Orforglipron; Ivermectin vs Permethrin
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...
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S7 E5: Christmas Special - Empathy in GP, an interview with Dr Andy Ward
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...
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S7 E4: Social Media & Cognitive Development; Urine vs Smear for HPV; Tai Chi vs CBTi For Sleep
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...
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S7 E3: Anti-Ds side effects; knee OA exercise; PSA trends & PCUK interview with Dr Bunmi Olajide & Kevin Howell
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…
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S7 E2: "Not Phone-Calling" song; AIR for kids; SCAN for cancer; GP number trends
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…
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S7 E1: Best BP Meds; Preventing End-Stage CKD; ADHD & Risky Behaviours
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...
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S6 E13: "When the IT Went Down" Song; Anti-Emetics for Kids Gastro? Methotrexate for Knee OA?
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...
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S6 E12: Anti-Ds for Insomnia; SSRIs & Hypotension; Cancer Cures
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...
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S6 E11: Exercise & Colorectal Cancer; IBS & Amitriptyline; SGLT2i & Liver Disease
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…
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S6 E10: GPs vs PTSD; GLP1s vs PAD; Exercise vs Cancer
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…
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S6 E9: Interview with Dr Stephen Bradley on CXR rates in GP & lung cancer; orthostatic HYPERtension; overactive bladder tests
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...
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S6 E8: "The NHSE Song (Quango in the Wind)"; BV treatment; GLP1a for alcohol; GIP for prediabetes
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?...
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Hot Topics Interview: Dr Helen Salisbury, GP & BMJ columnist
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...
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S6 E7: CVA with COC; Safety Netting; Antivirals for Flu
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.…
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Hot Topics Interview: Dr Euan Lawson, GP & Editor of the BJGP
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…
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S6 E6: Hybrid Working; Antibiotics for Appendicitis; Patient Decision Aids for AF
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. A belated Happy New Year! In our round-up of new research, we look at three papers. Firstly, what have been the effects of increased hybrid working in general practice, particularly with the introduction of digital tools and...
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S6 E5: "Granny's Not Invited to Christmas" song
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. It's Christmas time and that means a song to get you in the festive spirit. We'll be back with the regular podcast in the New Year. Happy holidays everyone! Neal www.nbmedical.com/podcast
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Hot Topics Interview: Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, GP & Chair of the BMA General Practice Committee England
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. This is the second in a series of special podcasts where we talk to interesting and influential people in general practice. In this interview we talk to Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, GP and chair of the BMA GPC England, who is currently leading...
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S6 E4: Chocolate Against Diabetes; 30 Year CVD Risk Prediction; Digital Access for Minoritised Ethnic Communities
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this edition, we look at three new research papers. Firstly, can eating chocolate actually reduce our chance of type 2 diabetes? Sounds too good to be true... Secondly, could a blood test predict your 30-year cardiovascular...
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Hot Topics Interview: Dr Claire Fuller, GP & Primary Care Medical Director for NHS England
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. This is the first in a series of special podcasts where we talk to the movers and shakers of general practice. We will talk to people in GP politics, leadership, media and research and discuss how their careers evolved, how they see current...
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S6 E3: "GP Trainee ARRS Song"; Semaglutide & Knee OA; SLGT2i & Kidney Stones; Interview with Drs Alex Norman & Oliver Hulson on role of PSA Testing
Welcome to the latest Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we look at two new papers on the drugs de jour: GLP1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors. Can the former reduce pain in knee osteoarthritis and can the latter prevent recurrent renal stones? Our…
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S6 E2: Acute Migraine; Prostate Cancer Screening; 1st Contact Physio
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we have three exciting new papers. Firstly, in the BMJ a network meta-analysis on acute migraine treatments - can the new GEPANTs drugs beat existing therapies? Secondly, a paper in NEJM does screening for...
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S6 E1: SGLT2i & Dementia; De-Escalating Anti-Platelets Post-MI; RSV Vaccination
Welcome to Season 6 of the Hot Topics podcast with Dr Neal Tucker. The summer holidays are over and it’s back to work so time for a new podcast. In this episode, we look at research on whether SGLT2i might prevent dementia, on if it is safer to de-escalate sooner rather than later from dual...
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S5 E15: Nasal sprays for the common cold; what is 'full time GP'; walking for back pain
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Have you ever walked into a pharmacy and wondered whether those nasal sprays suggesting they can stop the common cold actually do anything? Ahead of the inevitable coughs and colds of the autumn, the Lancet Respiratory…
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S5 E14: Discontinuing Antidepressants; Helping Persistent Symptoms; CVD In the UK
Welcome to a new episode of the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Today is election results day but we're not talking about politics, we're focusing on the research. We look at a paper in the latest BJGP which looks at which factors influence a patient's decision to...
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S5 E13: The "We're Making It Up" Election Song; Post-attack asthma f/up; Repeat Antibiotics for Cough; Aspirin After Breast Cancer
Welcome to the Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. It's election time but we're going to put aside politics and focus on the latest medical research! In this episode, we look at an important BJGP paper highlighting the rates of follow-up after a significant asthma attack, a...
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S5 E12: Does less GPs matter? PCNs & continuity; best drug in T2DM after metformin
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we think about the GP workforce courtesy of four papers in this month's BJGP - does more GPs boost life expectancy (of the patients...)? do PCNs help health inequalities? is practice-based continuity as good as...
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S5 E11: AF, Hypertension & Future Cardiac Disease; DRE and Prostate Cancer Screening: Is It Time to Stop? Interview with Amy Rylance & Sam Merriel
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. To DRE or not to DRE? This is the question and the main event in this episode. We have a fantastic interview with Amy Rylance, Head of Improving Care at Prostate Cancer UK, and Sam Merriel, GP and academic clinical lecturer,...
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S5 E10: Doctors Are Cheaper than Nondoctors; Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Under-Recognised; Helping Older People Stay at Home
Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with host Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we start by thinking about the news. Firstly, the overwhelming consensus from GPs in England to not support the imposed contract. Secondly, the ongoing discussion around physician associates in…
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S5 E9: “The Strike Song”; Maintaining Weight Loss; Exercise & Depression; Microplastics in Your Arteries
Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we think about another year of imposed GP contract on practices in England, the BMA response and where it may lead. In research, we have three fascinating new papers. Firstly, a paper examining how to...
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S5 E8: "Pharmacy First Song"; Rehab for Long Covid; Urate to Predict Acute Gout
Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we think about the pay offer for practices in England, a new King’s Fund report on the under-funding of primary care for three decades, and the introduction of Pharmacy First. In new research, we have two...
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S5 E7: Patient Experience of General Practice; Weight Loss and Cancer; Testosterone and Fractures
Welcome back to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we consider the current state of general practice in the UK and what lessons the countries can learn from each other. We examine a new paper in the BJGP on how patients feel about general practice in...
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S5 E6: "Signing Scripts For Xmas" song; "Great Expectations - time required to deliver BMJ’s 10 minute consultations": interview with Dr Stephen Bradley & Dr Alice Harper
Welcome to the Christmas Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. It’s time for a bit of light-hearted festive fun so if you’ve finished signing all your scripts for Christmas then join us for a discussion with Dr Stephen Bradley and Dr Alice Harper about “Great Expectations: GPs...
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S5 E5: Interview with Prof Hazel Everitt - amitriptyline for IBS; methotrexate for hand OA; leaflets for LUTs
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we talk to Prof Hazel Everitt, a GP and lead author of a recent Lancet paper exploring whether amitriptyline is effective for IBS, and where it might fit in to general practice management. We also look at...
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S5 E4: Interview with Prof Miriam Santer on BMJ Spironolactone for acne in GP; physician associates; once-weekly insulin; tirzepatide vs insulin for T2DM
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. The highlight of this episode is our interview with Prof Miriam Santer, lead author of recent research in the BMJ exploring the effectiveness of spironolactone for acne in women. Does it work? Is it a treatment for general...
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S5 E3: "Three Coats" song; interview with Dr Jessica Watson on BJGP "WHY Test" study; rosuva vs atorvastatin; DNA cancer blood tests
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode we talk to Dr Jessica Watson, lead author of the Why Test study, published in the BJGP exploring the use of blood tests in general practice and how often they make a difference - positive or negative. In other...
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S5 E2: Hot Topics 25th birthday interview with Simon Curtis; semaglutide in heart failure and obesity; nurse-led sleep restriction therapy for insomnia
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr. Neal Tucker. As we celebrate 25 years of NB Medical and the Hot Topics course, in this podcast we chat with co-founder Dr Simon Curtis about the changes in general practice and medical education since its inception, we discuss three of…
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S5 E1: GP motivations; morning after pill & NSAIDs; cancer risk with non-erosive GORD
Welcome to Season 5 of the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Despite celebrating our 25th birthday (don't forget to check out our NB Plus birthday special here) the world of medical news and research never stops. In this episode we look at research in the BJGP about the...
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S4 E16: "Summertime Blues" song
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. Wondering where the sunshine is? Then this song is for you. Have a good summer everyone and the podcast will be back in September. In the meantime have a look at www.nbmedical.com for our latest courses - we have live webinars...
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S4 E15: Donanemab & Alzheimer's Disease; Diet Against Dementia; Weekend Exercise; Opioids & Acute Back Pain
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. School's out for summer but general practice never stops. This week we look at the medical news story of the week: donanemab for Alzheimer's disease - can this monoclonal antibody revolutionise dementia care? Also in research,...
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S4 E14: The Stethoscope Song; HRT & Dementia, HF Monitoring, New Obesity Meds
Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. NHS Long Term Workforce Plan is all over the news today. In this episode we have a look at some of the key statements, seeing what is positive for general practice, what is wishful thinking, and what could be even worse. In...
About this show
The Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical brings you the latest in general practice current affairs, reviews the latest research relevant to primary care, explores interesting and important topics in-depth, and looks at cutting edge medicine.
Hosted by
NB Medical Education