Mayo Clinic Talks

Dr. Amanda Lorenz discusses the importance of empathy and communication when delivering bad news to patients. Topics include effective communication strategies, using simple language, providing emotional support, delivering bad news remotely, and navigating emotional reactions.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. [@chutkaMD] Guest: Ali J. Ainsworth, M.D. A successful pregnancy is a complicated process. It involves a combination of precise timing as well as anatomic and physiologic conditions which need to be intact and functioning normally. When pregnancy is unable to be achieved, it can be due to a problem in the female, the male, or both. It’s relatively common and can result in significant frustration. Psychological problems also commonly result. The topic for today’s podcast is infertility; it’s causes, evaluation and management. My guest is Ali J. Ainsworth, M.D., a specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Mayo Clinic. June is Infertility Awareness Month Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Dr. Robert Jacobson discusses the importance of immunizations in healthcare, including updates for 2024 such as COVID vaccines, respiratory syncytial virus vaccination, and pneumococcal vaccines. The podcast also covers strategies to increase immunization rates, the effectiveness of the Shingrix vaccine, and recommendations for seasonal COVID vaccines, RSV protection, and shared decision-making for older patients.

Explore the dangers of smoke inhalation injuries in first responders with Brittany A. Strelow. Learn about the composition of smoke, long-term impacts on health, safety equipment, and treatment options. Discover the importance of recognizing at-risk occupational groups and taking a comprehensive occupational history for optimal healthcare outcomes.

Dr. Ronald S. Go discusses abnormal platelet test results and their implications on patient care. Topics include the differentiation between reactive and primary causes of elevated platelet counts, diagnostic considerations post-transfusion, detecting platelet clumping in blood samples, differentiating serious platelet disorders, and advancements in platelet apheresis.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D., [@chutkaMD] Guest: Michele A. Hanson, M.D. There are a variety of things a woman can do to increase the odds of successful pregnancy. One of the most important is receiving regular prenatal care. It provides major benefits to both the mother and the unborn child. It’s been shown to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications as well as the risk of complications to the fetus. It’s one of the best ways to increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. When should prenatal care begin? What does good prenatal care consist of? How often should a woman be seen for prenatal care?  In this podcast, we’ll be covering these topics and more as we discuss “Prenatal Care” with my guest, Michele A. Hanson, M.D., a family medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic. Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Renowned Mayo Clinic Hematologist Ronald S. Go, M.D. and host Andy J. Herber, P.A.-C. dive into the complexities of interpreting white blood cell counts in the complete blood count, discussing various causes of abnormalities like allergies, medications, and infections. They explore the effects of GCSF on post-chemo patients, management strategies for leukopenia, and the critical thresholds of neutrophil counts, emphasizing the importance of cautious interpretation and consistent CBC monitoring for patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D., [@chutkaMD] Guest: Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, M.D. Although esophageal cancer is not a common malignancy, when found it often has a poor prognosis. It’s about four times more likely to occur in a male than a female. Although a variety of malignancies can develop in the esophagus, most tend to be either squamous cell or adenocarcinoma. Fortunately, the rates of esophageal cancer have been decreasing slightly over the past decade. Despite the fact that esophageal cancer often produces symptoms, the survival rate has not been very good, although due to new and improved treatments it has been improving. The topic for today’s podcast is esophageal cancer and my guest is Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, M.D., the division chair for Hematology/Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. We’ll discuss the risk factors for esophageal cancer, its common presenting symptoms, how to establish a diagnosis and the various treatment options available. Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Renowned Mayo Clinic Hematologist, Dr. Ronald S. Go, discusses evaluating abnormalities in hemoglobin levels, different types of anemia, and the importance of clinical context and confirmatory testing. Topics include non-heme causes of polycythemia, diagnostic approach for polycythemia vera, differential diagnosis and workup for anemia, diagnostic value of Mean Corpuscular Volume in anemias, and guidance on anemia testing and hemoglobin interpretation.

Mira T. Keddis, M.D., a specialist in calcium disorders, shares her expertise on managing hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia. She discusses the clinical significance of calcium levels on neuromuscular and cardiac health. Delving into hypercalcemia, she explains its causes and effects, especially in cancer patients. The conversation covers how thiazide diuretics influence calcium levels and the importance of precise thresholds for treatment decisions. Discover the careful balance of hormones and risks in calcium management that can impact patient outcomes.