MEM Cast

Dr. Nicola Cooper dives into the fascinating concept of problem representation and its impact on clinical diagnosis. She emphasizes how the language we use shapes our understanding and accuracy, especially in complex cases. Practical examples illustrate the importance of precise medical terminology in accessing vital knowledge. This insightful discussion reveals how effective problem representation can lead to better diagnostic outcomes and improved patient care.

We are delighted to welcome back Dr Davey, Consultant Cardiologist to discuss pulmonary hypertension diagnosis. This is the first out of 2 parts so please stay tuned as we discuss management and outcome in one of our next episodes. Enjoy listening. 

Dr Tanzida Haque gave us a brief overview of Depression. 

Dr. Nicola Cooper, an acute medical consultant and associate professor, dives into the tricky world of diagnostic tests. She discusses why even experienced healthcare professionals struggle with concepts like sensitivity and specificity. A compelling case study of a smoker illustrates the potential pitfalls of misinterpreting test results. Cooper emphasizes the importance of pre-test probability and statistical constructs in making sound medical decisions, all while unraveling the complexities of defining 'normal' in diagnostics.

Nicola Cooper, an expert in medical education, dives into the pitfalls of traditional teaching methods for history and examination skills. She highlights how these outdated practices can lead to diagnostic errors. The discussion centers on the importance of understanding likelihood ratios and evidence-based approaches to improve accuracy in patient assessments. With critiques of conventional textbooks, they advocate for a shift towards teaching that emphasizes probabilities and real-world evidence to foster better diagnostic skills in future medical professionals.

On this episode Dr Rafid Ahmed, Trainee Specialty Registrar,  talks us through an overview of heart blocks and how to approach as junior doctors. 

Nicola Cooper, an acute medical consultant and associate professor in medical education, discusses the critical aspects of clinical reasoning in healthcare. She shares insights on the difference between clinical reasoning and critical thinking, while emphasizing its importance in accurate diagnoses. With 10 to 15 percent of cases suffering from diagnostic errors, she highlights the cognitive pitfalls that lead to mistakes. Cooper also advocates for systematic teaching of clinical reasoning in medical training to enhance patient safety and reduce these errors.

We are happy to be joined once again by Dr Tom Skinner, Haematology Registrar in Taunton and Somerset. Dr Skinner is going to discuss immune thrombocytopaenic purpura or ITP and go through diagnosis and management. Have a listen to improve your haematology knowledge, excellent discussion if we may say so ourselves. 

On this episode we covered the presentations, diagnostic criteria, investigation, treatment and prognosis of MND. Dr Hina Khan, Specialty Registrar, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has delivered this very informative talk. 

In this episode of MEMcast, we discuss paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer with guest speaker, Dr Emma O'Dowd (consultant respiratory physician at NUH) and your host, Dr Rachel Saville. Listen here to learn a little about lambert eaton myaesthenic syndrome, limbic encephalitis and hypercalcemia and more.