BMJ Best Practice Podcast
BMJ Group
The BMJ Best Practice podcast publishes interviews with clinical experts, aimed at healthcare professionals and students with an interest in keeping up to date with the latest scientific developments, evidence-based medicine and guidelines.
BMJ Best Practice is ranked one of the best clinical decision support tools for health professionals worldwide.* Structured around the clinical workflow and updated daily, BMJ Best Practice uses the latest evidence-based research, guidelines and expert opinion to offer step-by-step guidance on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention.
bestpractice.bmj.com
*Kwag KH, González-Lorenzo M, Banzi R, Bonovas S, Moja L. Providing Doctors With High-Quality Information: An Updated Evaluation of Web-Based Point-of-Care Information Summaries
The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcare practitioner’s judgement...
BMJ Best Practice is ranked one of the best clinical decision support tools for health professionals worldwide.* Structured around the clinical workflow and updated daily, BMJ Best Practice uses the latest evidence-based research, guidelines and expert opinion to offer step-by-step guidance on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention.
bestpractice.bmj.com
*Kwag KH, González-Lorenzo M, Banzi R, Bonovas S, Moja L. Providing Doctors With High-Quality Information: An Updated Evaluation of Web-Based Point-of-Care Information Summaries
The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcare practitioner’s judgement...
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 22, 2025 • 21min
Factitious disorders
Join James Levenson, a Professor of Psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University and author on factitious disorders, as he unravels the complexities of this elusive condition. Delve into the diagnostic detective work needed to differentiate factitious disorder from genuine illnesses, including the significance of specific medical details. The discussion also touches on the moral dilemmas when children are involved and how social media can complicate situations. Levenson highlights the balance required in treating patients who present deceptive histories, intertwining empathy with skepticism.
Jun 24, 2025 • 27min
Down's syndrome
Down's syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, occurring in 1 in about 800 births worldwide. Children and adults with Down's syndrome need high quality care from a wide range of different types of healthcare professionals.
To find out more about this condition, listen to this BMJ Best Practice podcast interview with Kishore Vellody, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Competing interests: None
For more on Down's Syndrome, visit BMJ Best Practice.
13 snips
May 29, 2025 • 29min
Generalised seizures in adults
Join Daniel Winkel, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Emory University, as he dives into the world of generalized seizures. With 45.9 million people living with epilepsy globally, the discussion highlights the serious implications of recurrent unprovoked seizures. Discover different seizure types beyond tonic-clonic, the essential role of accurate diagnosis, and how individual factors affect treatment choices. Daniel also examines the interplay between antidepressants and seizures, emphasizing timely interventions and the need for better research in this vital area.
May 5, 2025 • 20min
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination
Helen Bedford, a leading expert on children's health from UCL Institute of Child Health, discusses the crucial role of the MMR vaccine in preventing serious illnesses. She highlights the alarming resurgence of measles due to low vaccination rates and debunks the myth linking the MMR vaccine to autism. Bedford emphasizes the importance of achieving community immunity and encourages women planning pregnancy to ensure they are vaccinated. The conversation sheds light on addressing vaccine hesitancy and the need for effective communication in public health.
Apr 21, 2025 • 24min
Insomnia
John Winkelman, a leading sleep disorders expert from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, dives into the widespread issue of insomnia, affecting 10% to 30% of the population. He discusses the serious implications of insomnia, such as accidents and decreased work productivity. Winkelman highlights the importance of understanding long-term insomnia, identifying its various factors, and tailoring treatments. He emphasizes the value of cognitive behavioral therapy and the complexities of prescribing medications while addressing concerns about addiction.
Apr 8, 2025 • 20min
Hypercholesterolemia
Thorsten Leucker, Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University, dives into the critical issue of hypercholesterolemia, a condition affecting many adults. He discusses how to effectively assess and manage cholesterol levels, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle modifications and tailored treatments. Leucker also highlights new cholesterol-lowering therapies like PCSK9 inhibitors and the necessity of genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia. Additionally, he addresses myths about statin side effects, reassuring listeners of their safety.
Mar 24, 2025 • 28min
BMJ Best Practice and patient safety
Clare Mock, Clinical Engagement Physician at BMJ, shares her insights on patient safety and quality improvement in healthcare. She discusses the evolution of safety measures since the pivotal 'To Err is Human' report. Clare highlights the importance of evidence-based resources for healthcare providers and the role of clear communication in preventing medical errors. She also addresses challenges like burnout among clinicians and the need for compassionate approaches to learning from mistakes, aiming to improve practices and overall well-being in the healthcare landscape.
11 snips
Mar 13, 2025 • 22min
Hyperkalemia
Sri Yarlagadda, an Associate Professor in the Division of Nephrology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, dives into the complexities of hyperkalemia. He discusses its serious implications, including life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, emphasizing the importance of accurate assessment and diagnosis. The impact of sample integrity on test results is highlighted, along with challenges in managing potassium levels, particularly in palliative care. Yarlagadda also shares insights on dietary considerations and the distinctive signs of conditions like Addison's disease.
20 snips
Feb 24, 2025 • 23min
Hypothyroidism
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Wail Malaty, a family physician from Houston and an expert author on hypothyroidism, sheds light on the condition's prevalence and its far-reaching effects. He emphasizes the critical importance of accurate diagnosis through TSH and free T4 tests. The conversation delves into effective management strategies, including personalized levothyroxine dosing and the nuances surrounding persistent symptoms despite normal TSH levels. Dr. Malaty also addresses the challenges faced in treating subclinical hypothyroidism and pregnant patients.
Feb 10, 2025 • 20min
Wrist fracture
Michael Barrett, a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at Cambridge University Hospitals, shares his expertise on wrist fractures. He highlights the prevalence of these injuries in older women with osteoporosis and younger men after high-impact events. The discussion covers essential diagnostic techniques, particularly for distal radius and scaphoid fractures. Barrett underscores the importance of effective management and challenges, including pain relief strategies and the care of patients with comorbidities, making it clear that accurate diagnosis and follow-up care are crucial.
