Pre PACES Podcast

Dr. Jen Collinson, an Acute Medicine registrar with expertise in stroke medicine, shares her insights on transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs). She discusses the importance of thorough patient history, focused examinations, and the distinction between TIAs and strokes. Jen highlights common presentation features and necessary investigations like neuroimaging. The episode also covers differential diagnoses, lifestyle advice for vascular risk reduction, and practical tips for communicating with patients about their condition.

Dr. Angus Nightingale, a consultant cardiologist and hypertension expert from the University of Bristol, dives into the complexities of hypertension. He explains various types, from primary to malignant, and shares essential red flags to look out for. Discussion on managing acute severe hypertension alongside practical lifestyle modifications offers listeners valuable insights. The episode wraps up with a fun quiz segment about the Italian detective novels featuring Inspector Montalbano, blending medicine with light-hearted literary charm.

Our first ever return guest on the podcast! We welcomed back Dr Jennie Gough who gives her very best advice on sitting PACES after she had multiple cancellations to the exam. We talked about organisation and logistics, as well as managing exam nerves and gut feelings after the exam! ^_^ SUPPORT THE SHOW ^_^> > Access Quesmed HERE! 15% off with discount code: PREPACES15 < <* * *Sign up for PACES Ahead HERE! * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Luke Bennetto, a consultant neuro-ophthalmologist, dives into the complexities of optic neuropathy. He breaks down the critical differences between optic neuropathy and optic atrophy, shares key symptoms to watch for, and explains how various causes can present differently in patients. Luke also highlights the significance of timely diagnosis, the impact of migraines, and what to look for during examinations. Plus, don't miss his fun quiz on England's rugby history, showcasing his lighter side amidst serious medical discussions!

Dr. Hamish Morrison, a neurology registrar and expert on seizures, joins to shed light on important differences between seizures and other collapses. He offers essential guidance on history-taking, highlighting prodromal signs and lifestyle advice for affected patients. Key topics include triggers for seizures, the significance of tongue biting, and the various causes ranging from genetic to autoimmune. He also covers safety tips, driving guidelines, and considerations for pregnancy, making this a must-listen for clinical candidates.

Dr. Ashley Nisbet, a consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at the Bristol Heart Institute, dives into the complex world of syncope and collapses. She emphasizes the significance of thorough history-taking and discusses the prevalence of syncope in exams. Listeners learn how to differentiate between seizure and syncope, recognize red flags, and the importance of witness accounts during episodes. The conversation also touches on management strategies for patients and wraps up with a fun quiz on 80s music!

Dr. Benoy Shah, a consultant cardiologist and President of the British Heart Valve Society, shares his expertise on prosthetic heart valves. He explains essential examination clues and how to present case findings effectively, focusing on mechanical vs. bioprosthetic valves. Benoy discusses complications and the importance of anticoagulation management, emphasizing that NOACs aren't suitable for mechanical valves. To lighten the mood, he tackles rapid-fire cricket questions, showcasing his passion beyond medicine!

For the first time Sam goes solo for this episode where he unearths some important lessons he learned from sitting PACES. These lessons may be helpful for your revision or maybe at least to try and help you gain perspective on PACES in the context of your medical career.  ^_^ SUPPORT THE SHOW ^_^> > Access Quesmed HERE! 15% off with discount code: PREPACES15 < <* * *Sign up for PACES Ahead HERE! * * * 1:40 Changing your approach 4:05 Detect the signs5:38 Maximise patient exposure9:42 Make yourself known11:42 What's within your control?13:18 Taking advantage 15:11 Avoiding burnout17:24 Relation to clinical practice20:30 Being a Med SpR22:37 Pass or Fail Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Jodie Sabin, a consultant endocrinologist specializing in thyroid disease, joins to discuss nuances of thyroid presentations relevant to PACES. She breaks down key aspects of history-taking and examination techniques, including recognizing signs of thyroid eye disease and neck lumps. Jodie emphasizes essential investigations and management options for conditions like Graves' disease and hypothyroidism. Wrapping up on a fun note, she showcases her knowledge in a rapid-fire quiz about the Great British Bake Off!

In this episode, Sam welcomes Dr Tessa Nicholas, a post-CMT doctor with an interest in palliative care and oncology. They discuss the recurring themes in station 4, focussing on Breaking Bad News and the SPIKES model* ^_^ SUPPORT THE SHOW ^_^> > Access Quesmed HERE! 15% off with discount code: PREPACES15 < <* * *Sign up for PACES Ahead HERE! * * * 02:00 Structure, format, recurring themes of Station 417:30 Approaching Station 420:45 SPIKES model37:50 Summary *Baile WF, Buckman R, Lenzi R et al (2000) SPIKES - a Six Step Protocol for Delivering Bad News: Application to the Patient with Cancer. Oncologist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.