NPS MedicineWise podcast

This regular podcast from NPS MedicineWise helps health professionals stay up to date with the latest evidence for medicines, tests and treatments.

Listening to any of these podcasts can be recorded (in 30-minute increments) as self-directed CPD learning. RACGP members can use Quick Log to record this activity.

Hosted by NPS MedicineWise medical advisors, we’ll wade through the reams of information – and sometimes misinformation – to provide answers from trusted sources for all of your quality use of medicines questions.

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Episode 41: Burnout and boundary setting

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Associate Professor Lisa Lampe about burn out and the high cost for health professionals and patients.

Further reading

Boundaries Research www.boundariesresearch.com.au

Episode 40: Mental health and young people: two personal stories

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Nic Juniper and Rebecca Langman, two young people with lived experience with mental health issues. 

Further reading

NPS MedicineWise https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/mental-health-and-young-people

NPS MedicineWise https://www.nps.org.au/anxiety-and-depression-find-the-path-that-works-for-you

Choosing Wisely 5 Questions  https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/5questions

Headspace https://headspace.org.au/

Beyond Now App https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/beyondnow-suicide-safety-planning

Episode 39: COVID treatment update: Answers to what HPs are asking

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Prof Sarah Hilmer and Prof Josh Davis, members of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce Guidelines Leadership Group. They give an update on the new antiviral treatments now available and answer some frequently asked COVID management questions.

Further reading

NPS MedicineWise www.nps.org.au/coronavirus/faqs-covid-19-antivirals-in-racfs

National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce www.covid19evidence.net.au

Liverpool University Drug Interaction www.hiv-druginteractions.org/checker

Episode 38: New oral antiviral COVID medications: What HPs need to know

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks to Dr Kate Annear, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor and Associate Professor Charlotte Hespe, GP, head of General Practice at Notre Dame University, and chair of the New South Wales ACT Faculty of the RACGP discuss the new oral antiviral COVID medications that have been provisionally approved for use.


Further reading

NPS MedicineWise https://www.nps.org.au/coronavirus/faqs-covid-19-antivirals-in-racfs

Episode 37: Fostering shared decision-making in primary care

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Dr Karen Price, RACGP President on how being involved with shared decision-making can make a difference. 


Further reading

Choosing Wisely: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/5questions

Choosing Wisely: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/translated-resources

Podcast episode 36: Approaching difficult conversations with patients about opioid use

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Dr Richard O’Regan, an addiction medicine consultant with the Royal Perth Bentley Group about opioid dependence and how to have those very useful, but sometimes very difficult, conversations with patients.


Further reading

NPS MedicineWise:  https://www.nps.org.au/news/high-risk-opioid-use-10-things-you-need-to-know

Choosing Wisely:  https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/patient-guide-to-managing-pain-and-opioid-medicine

Episode 35: Changing the conversation: 5 questions for patients and health professionals

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West interviews Debra Letica and Ricky Spencer. They talk about Choosing Wisely and how the 5 questions are resulting in empowering conversations between health professionals and patients and more appropriate care.

Further reading

Choosing Wisely: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/
Choosing Wisely: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/5questions
Choosing Wisely translated resources: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/translated-resources

Episode 34: Important but not always front of mind – anticholinergic burden

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West talks to our other medical advisor Dr Kate Annear about the cumulative effects of anticholinergic medicines. Not always front of mind, these medicines can cause many problematic side effects and can lead to poor health outcomes including increased risk of falls and cognitive decline. We cover what these medicines are and what can be done. Reviewing people’s multiple medicines and considering deprescribing or finding alternative treatments can reduce ‘anticholinergic burden’.

Further reading

NPS MedicineWise: https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/anticholinergic-burden
Choosing Wisely: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/
Australian Prescriber article: Optimising oral health in frail older people: https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/optimising-oral-health-in-frail-older-people

Episode 33: Talking to parents about the COVID vaccine

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West interviews Professor Julie Leask to discuss the COVID 19 vaccination and it’s availability to children over the age of 12. They discuss the hesitancy some parents have toward the vaccines and how to address the questions parents have.

Professor Leask works with the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, the Sydney Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases, is a Visiting fellow for the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance and works at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia


Further resources:

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS): Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation. Talking with parents who have questions.

NPS MedicineWise: Talking with hesitant parents and carers about COVID-19 vaccines and their children

Consumers Health Forum (CHF): It’s worth the shot. Brief intervention for primary care providers to support community confidence in COVID vaccination