

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

Feb 22, 2021 • 23min
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterised by vasospasm that causes digits to change colour to white (pallor) from lack of blood flow, usually brought on by cold temperatures.
Affected areas subsequently turn blue due to de-oxygenation and/or red due to reperfusion. It can be a painful condition and can lead to complications.
Janet Pope, Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, gives a clinical overview of the condition.
For more on Raynaud's phenomenon, visit BMJ Best Practice: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/193
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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, patient care or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Feb 17, 2021 • 22min
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition that is often unrecognised until the most advanced stages.
The most common causes are diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
Manisha Singh, Assistant Professor, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, gives us an overview of the condition.
For more, visit BMJ Best Practice: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/84
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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, patient care or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Feb 4, 2021 • 14min
Covid-19 update: Management, vaccination and chronic conditions
Kieran Walsh, clinical director at BMJ, asks editors from BMJ Learning and BMJ Best Practice to summarise the latest clinical guidance related to covid-19.
Matt Castleden, GP and section editor, updates us on pulse oximetry, prognostic scoring, and management in hospital.
And Abigail Davis, GP and section editor, covers Covid-19 vaccination and chronic conditions, including advice for patients with thrombocytopenia, and those taking immunosuppressive drugs, ACE inhibitors or ARBs.
For more, see:
BMJ Best Practice's topic on management of coexisting conditions in the context of COVID-19: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000190
BMJ Best Practice's topic on covid-19: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000168
BMJ Learning's quick tips module: proning in critical care: learning.bmj.com/learning/modules/elucidat/10065419
BMJ Learning module on COVID-19 rapid guideline on critical care (NICE): new-learning.bmj.com/course/10065100
BMJ Learning covid-19 in primary care module: new-learning.bmj.com/course/10065230

Jan 21, 2021 • 26min
Depression in children
Depression in children is characterised by sad or irritable mood, anhedonia, decreased capacity to have fun, decreased self-esteem, sleep disturbance, social withdrawal or impaired social relationships, and impaired school performance.
It is one of the most common paediatric psychiatric disorders, especially among girls during adolescence.
David A. Brent, Endowed Chair in Suicide Studies, Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Epidemiology, and Clinical and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh, gives us an overview of the condition.
For more on depression in children, visit BMJ Best Practice: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/785
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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, patient care or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Jan 14, 2021 • 15min
Covid-19 update: Vaccination, long covid-19, endocrine conditions, bronchiolitis
Kieran Walsh, clinical director at BMJ, asks editors from BMJ Learning and BMJ Best Practice to summarise the latest clinical guidance related to covid-19.
Matt Castleden, GP and section editor, updates us on vaccination and long covid-19.
And Abigail Davis, GP and section editor, covers Covid-19 and comorbidities, namely endocrine conditions and bronchiolitis.
For more, see:
BMJ Best Practice's topic on management of coexisting conditions in the context of COVID-19: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000190
BMJ Best Practice's topic on covid-19: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000168
BMJ Learning module on COVID-19 rapid guideline on critical care (NICE): new-learning.bmj.com/course/10065100
BMJ Learning covid-19 in primary care module: new-learning.bmj.com/course/10065230
JCVI independent report published by the Department of Health: www.gov.uk/government/publications/prioritising-the-first-covid-19-vaccine-dose-jcvi-statement/optimising-the-covid-19-vaccination-programme-for-maximum-short-term-impact
Online covid-19 recovery platform: www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk

Dec 17, 2020 • 16min
Covid-19: Vaccination, remdesivir, and comorbidities
Kieran Walsh, clinical director at BMJ, asks editors from BMJ Learning and BMJ Best Practice to summarise the latest clinical guidance related to covid-19.
Matt Castleden, GP and section editor, updates us on vaccination and the use of remdesivir.
And Emma Scott, section editor, covers Covid-19 and comorbidities, namely COPD, learning disabilities and obesity.
For more, see:
BMJ Best Practice's topic on management of coexisting conditions in the context of COVID-19: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000190
BMJ Best Practice's topic on covid-19: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000168
BMJ Learning module on COVID-19 rapid guideline on critical care (NICE): new-learning.bmj.com/course/10065100
BMJ Learning covid-19 in primary care module: new-learning.bmj.com/course/10065230
UK Gov guidance on covid vaccinations: gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-programme-guidance-for-healthcare-practitioners
UK Gov Green Book covid chapter: gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-the-green-book-chapter-14a
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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, patient care or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Dec 16, 2020 • 18min
Acute asthma exacerbations in children
Asthma exacerbations present with acute or sub-acute onset of wheeze and respiratory distress, the symptoms and signs of which vary depending on the developmental and maturational age of the child.
Triggers include viral or bacterial infection, inhaled allergens, environmental irritants, emotion, medications, and poor adherence with preventive therapy.
Paul D. Robinson, Respiratory and Sleep Physician, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Associate Professor, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Sydney, gives a clinical overview of acute asthma exacerbations in children.
For more on acute asthma exacerbations in children, visit BMJ Best Practice: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/1098
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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, patient care or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Nov 30, 2020 • 15min
Covid-19 and comorbidities
A recent meta-analysis by Espinosa and colleagues, “Prevalence of Comorbidities in Patients and Mortality Cases Affected by SARS-CoV2”, found that 42% of patients with Covid-19 had comorbidities.
Furthermore, 61% of those with Covid-19 admitted to the Intensive Care Unit had comorbidities, and 77% of those who died had comorbidities.
Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (affecting 32% of patients). Other common comorbidities included diabetes (22%), heart disease (13%), and COPD (8%).
In this podcast Andrew Lewington, Consultant Renal Physician and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, gives us an overview of managing patients with Covid-19 and common comorbidities.
For more on Covid-19 and comorbidities, see BMJ Best Practice: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000201/treatment-algorithm
Read the meta analysis: Espinosa OA, Zanetti ADS, Antunes EF, Longhi FG, Matos TA, Battaglini PF. Prevalence of comorbidities in patients and mortality cases affected by SARS-CoV2: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2020;62:e43. Published 2020 Jun 22. doi:10.1590/S1678-9946202062043

Nov 9, 2020 • 19min
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and is usually diagnosed at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation on the basis of elevated plasma glucose levels on glucose tolerance testing.
The goal of therapy is to achieve maternal glucose levels that are as close to normal as possible in order to avoid fetal macrosomia and complications.
Chloe Zera, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School gives us a clinical overview of the condition.
For more on gestational diabetes, visit BMJ Best Practice: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/665
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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, patient care or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Oct 30, 2020 • 15min
Updates in acute medicine: Pulmonary embolism and vaping associated lung injury
Kieran Walsh, clinical director at BMJ, asks Matt Castleden, GP and editor for BMJ Best Practice and BMJ Learning, to summarise the latest clinical guidance in acute medicine.
Dr Castleden updates us on recent recommendations on pulmonary embolism, and also acute respiratory distress and vaping associated lung injury.
For more information, take a look at the BMJ Best Practice topic on pulmonary embolism: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000115
The BMJ Best Practice topic on acute respiratory distress syndrome: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/374


