RCP Medicine Podcast

In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Dr Sagen Zac-Varghese, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology, East and North Herts Teaching NHS Trust is joined by Dr Samantha Scholtz , Consultant Psychiatrist, Imperial Weight Centre, St Mary’s Hospital to explore the complex relationship between obesity and mental health. Drawing on clinical experience and recent research, they discuss the stigma surrounding obesity, its psychological impact, and how healthcare professionals can better support patients. The conversation covers the physiological drivers of weight regain,  and the evolving role of bariatric surgery and GLP-1 agonists in treatment. Dr Scholtz  also shares practical advice on screening for mental health disorders, managing eating behaviours, and navigating sensitive conversations in clinical settings.ResourcesRCP elearning - ObesityBinge eating disorder: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/binge-eating-disorderhttps://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/feast-resources/Weight stigma:https://www.worldobesity.org/what-we-do/our-policy-priorities/weight-stigmaRCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Dr Lisa Hamza, HIV and Sexual Health Consultant at St George’s Hospital, London, joins Dr Rohan Mehra, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Registrar, to explore the evolving landscape of HIV care. Together, they delve into the virology, history, and treatment of HIV, highlighting the remarkable progress made over the past four decades - from the early days of the epidemic to today’s cutting-edge therapies and prevention strategies.Dr Hamza shares insights from her work as HIV Network Lead in South West London and co-chair of the HIV London Forum, discussing the challenges of stigma, late diagnosis, and health inequalities. The conversation also covers the UK’s HIV Action Plan, the impact of opt-out testing, and the promise of long-acting treatments and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This episode is a powerful reminder of how far we've come and how much further we must go to reach zero transmissions, zero deaths, and zero stigma.RCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

In this episode of the RCP Medicine podcast, we delve into the complexities of obesity and the importance of person-centred care. Hosted by Dr Vasiliki Thanopoulou, a rheumatology and general internal medicine specialist registrar and RCP Clinical Education Fellow, she is joined by Dr Charles Fox and Dr Anne Kilverts, both retired consultant diabetes physicians with over 30 years of experience in teaching healthcare professionals how to deliver empowering, person-centred care.Together, they explore how stigma, unconscious bias, and assumptions can hinder effective communication and care for people living with obesity. Drawing on NICE guidelines and their own clinical experiences, Anne and Charles offer practical strategies for fostering empathy, respect, and shared decision-making in clinical encounters. This episode complements the RCP’s e-learning modules on obesity and is part of the broader initiative to address health inequalities.Whether you're a clinician, educator, or learner, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you approach weight-related discussions and empower patients to take control of their health journey.ResourcesRCP elearning - ObesityNICE guidelines: Overweight and obesity management | Guidance | NICELancet: Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity - The Lancet Diabetes & EndocrinologyThe European Association for the Study of Obesity: A new framework for the diagnosis, staging and management of obesity in adults - EASODr Charles Fox and Dr Anne Kilverts: www.diabetescounselling.co.ukRCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Dr Vincent Simpson, diabetes and endocrine registrar based in Derriford, Plymouth joins Dr Bryony Alderman, palliative medicine consultant and RCP Education Fellow in Sustainability. Together, they explore the intersection of diabetes care and environmental sustainability, focusing on Vincent’s pioneering work around reusable cartridge insulin pens.From the initial spark of curiosity during a training session to national-level conversations with NHS England, Vincent shares his journey of uncovering the environmental impact of diabetes devices and advocating for change. The discussion covers practical steps clinicians can take, the importance of behavioural change, and how small interventions can lead to significant improvements in both patient care and environmental outcomes.Whether you're a physician, policymaker, or someone living with diabetes, this episode offers valuable insights into how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into clinical practice.Dr Vincent Simpson and team recently won an RCP Excellence in Patient Care award for Sustainability – reducing the environmental impact of healthcare ResourcesPaper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dme.15409Local guidelines: https://sustainablediabetes.short.gy/guidelinesWebsite: https://sustainablediabetescare.comLinkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-vincent-simpsonBluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/drvsimpson.bsky.socialCreditsDr Bryony Alderman, consultant in palliative medicine, is the RCP Sustainability Fellow. Financial support for this clinical fellowship was provided as an Independent Medical Education Grant from Pfizer Limited. Pfizer Limited had no involvement in candidate selection, and no influence on the work of the clinical fellowship.RCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

Consultant respiratory physician Milind Savani shares his expertise on the intricate case of a 45-year-old woman facing progressive breathlessness. Foundation doctor Masooma Ali presents initial findings and engages in a lively discussion on differential diagnoses. They dive into the challenges of recognizing paradoxical breathing and diaphragm weakness. Topics include diagnostic testing for chronic respiratory failure, the potential for non-invasive ventilation, and when to consider surgical options like diaphragm plication. Listeners gain valuable insights into clinical reasoning and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Rik Patel, a Consultant rheumatologist and general physician with expertise in large vessel vasculitis, shares insights on giant cell arteritis. He discusses a complex case featuring a 70-year-old patient with headaches and systemic symptoms. Key topics include interpreting headache patterns, the overlap with polymyalgia rheumatica, and the significance of visual symptoms. Rik emphasizes the role of fast-track pathways for diagnosis and treatment, and highlights new treatments like tocilizumab that have transformed patient outcomes.

In this episode of the RCP Medicine podcast, Professor Mark Harber, nephrologist, and RCP sustainability advisor, is joined by Chris Gormley, Chief Sustainability Officer at NHS England, to explore the NHS’s groundbreaking journey toward net zero.Together, they discuss the origins of the NHS’s green strategy, the global health implications of climate change, and the ambitious targets set for 2040 and 2045. Chris shares insights into the NHS’s leadership on sustainability, the economic and health drivers behind the movement, and the practical steps being taken - from decarbonising the supply chain to rolling out solar energy across NHS estates.Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in embedding sustainability into clinical practice, the importance of international collaboration, and how clinicians and staff can get involved through green plans and toolkits.ResourcesGreener NHS plan website - https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/Greener NHS – case studies https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/whats-already-happening/12 things we can do as individuals to become greenerRCP view on healthcare sustainability and climate changeCSH Courses Courses | Centre for Sustainable Healthcaree-learning for Health – Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare - elearning for healthcare (e-lfh.org.uk)SusQI.org (step by step guide) Step-by-step guide | Centre for Sustainab (susqi.org)Greener NHS Greener NHS (england.nhs.uk)CSH Resource Library Resource library | Sustainable Healthcare Networks HubCSH Networks Networks | Sustainable Healthcare Networks HubRCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

In this episode of the RCP Medicine podcast, Dr Helen Banks, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine and Training Programme Director for Rehabilitation Northwest/Mersey, talks to Dr Ganesh Bavikatte, Consultant and Clinical Lead for Rehabilitation Medicine at The Walton Centre in Liverpool. They discuss disability after stroke and the role of specialist rehabilitation to help patients optimise their activity and independence. Their discussion describes the rehabilitation pathway, from acute and through to the community, and highlights medical issues that may arise along the way. Dr Ganesh Bavikatte has been a consultant and clinical lead at The Walton Centre NHS Trust and Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network since 2012. The Walton Centre is a Neuroscience Specialist NHS Trust, and the Cheshire and Mersey rehabilitation network has a pathway from hyperacute to community care for patients following severe injury, illness, and injuries, including those with stroke. ResourcesSpasticity in adults: management using botulinum toxin | National GuidelinesSpasticity in adults: management using botulinum toxin | RCPCheshire and Mersey rehabilitation network https://www.cmrehabnetwork.nhs.uk/RCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

Neil Stone, a consultant in infectious diseases and microbiology at University College London, dives into the world of clinical mycology. He discusses the urgent issue of Candida auris, a multi-drug resistant fungus threatening healthcare. Challenges in diagnosing cryptococcal meningitis, especially in HIV patients, are explored, alongside the importance of proper diagnostics for effective treatment. Neil also highlights the rising significance of environmental health in relation to fungal diseases, pushing for a collaborative approach to patient care and management.

In this episode of RCP Medicine Podcast, Dr Dale Seviar a Consultant Haematologist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust is welcomed by Dr Rebecca Kuruvilla, a previous RCP clinical education fellow and an ST7 Clinical Pharmacology and GIM registrar. Together, they discuss the management of sickle cell disease using a hypothetical case study, providing valuable insights and practical tips for medical professionals. Sickle cell disease is one of the fastest growing genetic conditions that there is, and it's likely that many of you will be exposed to people living with sickle cell. This episode aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the condition, acute complications and management strategies.FundingThis episode was funded by Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Europe) Limited. Vertex had the opportunity to suggest the topic of this episode only, with no further involvement in its creation and elaboration, and all views and opinions expressed by the presenter and guests are solely their own.Resources Sickle Cell Disease - RCEMLearningRCEM_BPG_Sickle-Cell-Disease_v3.2.pdfInherited anaemias: sickle cell and thalassaemia - ScienceDirect Overview | Sickle cell disease: managing acute painful episodes in hospital | Guidance | NICEManagement of Acute Chest Syndrome in Sickle Cell DiseaseHemolytic transfusion reactions in sickle cell disease: underappreciated and potentially fatal - PMCSickle cell disease (SCD) and stem cell transplant | Anthony NolanRCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas