

The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
Supercharge your learning and enhance your practice with this Internal Medicine Podcast featuring board certified Internists as they interview the experts to bring you clinical pearls, practice-changing knowledge, and bad puns. Doctors Matthew Watto, Paul Williams, and friends (a national network of students, residents, and clinician-educators) deliver a little knowledge food for your brain hole. Yummy! No boring lectures here, just high-value content and a healthy dose of humor. Fantastic for Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Primary Care, and Hospital Medicine.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 3, 2020 • 57min
#193 LIVE! The Struggling learner with Dr. Melissa McNeil
Join us as we discuss how to approach “The Struggling Learner” with Dr. Melissa McNeil (@missydoc0128), Professor Medicine and Associate Chief of General Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), recorded LIVE in Pittsburgh, PA! In this episode, we discuss how to approach the struggling learner, highlighting the 5-Step process discussed in a recent article co-written by Dr. McNeil (Merriam 2019). This episode is not intended to give educators a roadmap for how to develop and implement a corrective action plan, but was put together to provide a common toolset on how to approach a struggling learner. As such, the topics discussed can be applied to all kinds of learners that struggle, not just in medicine. However, the techniques discussed involve a common framework routinely taught in medical education (assessment, diagnosis, and referral) and, therefore, is communicated using this shared language.
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Schwag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com
Credits
Written and Produced by: Stuart Brigham MD Infographic: Matthew Watto MD, FACP Cover Art: Stuart Brigham MD Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP; Stuart Brigham, MD
Editor: Stuart Brigham MD (written materials); Clair Morgan at Nodderly.com
Guest: Melissa McNeil MD, MACP Special thanks to Dr. William Kelly, FACP, FCCP
Sponsor
ACP’s Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program, MKSAP 18. MKSAP provides the latest and most comprehensive educational content needed by internists today. It’s THE internal medicine go-to resource for continuous learning and Board preparation. Visit http://www.acponline.org/mksapcurbsiders to place your order!

10 snips
Jan 27, 2020 • 1h 12min
#192 Dialysis for the Internist with Joel Topf MD
Kidney Boy Returns! Compare the types of dialysis, learn how nephrologists approach medication management in ESRD, and avoid the most common mistakes non-nephrologists make in patients on dialysis! Kashlak Chief of Nephrology Dr. Joel Topf, @kidney_boy, walks us through what you need to know to take care of a patient on dialysis and gives us an idea of how nephrologists think through mineral bone disease (calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D), anemia, iron repletion, and hypertension. We answer all your questions about co-managing patients on dialysis!
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com
Credits
Producer: Hannah R. Abrams Written and produced by: Hannah R. Abrams Cover Art and Infographic by: Hannah R. Abrams Hosts: Hannah R. Abrams, Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Editor: Matthew Watto MD, FACP (written materials), Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com (audio)
Guest: Joel Topf MD
Sponsor
ACP's Internal Medicine Meeting 2020 April 23-25th in Los Angeles, CA at the LA Convention Center. Early bird rates are available through January 31, 2020. Don’t forget to use the code: IMCURB20
Time Stamps
00:00 Sponsor -ACP’s Internal Medicine Meeting 2020
00:15 Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
01:45 Guest one-liner, Picks of the Week*: KidneyCon, CATS (film)
06:00 Sponsor -ACP’s Internal Medicine Meeting 2020
06:50 Case of Anne Yuric; Assessing risk of progression to dialysis; Candidacy for dialysis and renal

21 snips
Jan 20, 2020 • 1h 12min
#191 Lipids Update with Erin Michos MD
Lipids Update! Get up close and personal with ASCVD prevention and lipid management guidelines, including changes in the 2018 update, with our discussion with Dr. Erin Michos @erinmichos, preventive cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital! We review the background on the ASCVD risk calculator, basics of primary and secondary prevention, statins benefits and misconceptions, appropriate follow up, cool things to look out for in the future, the deal with medications like aspirin and icosapent ethyl, among many other things! If that wasn’t enough, Dr. Michos also goes over great ways to counsel patients on healthy living and when that darn statin is giving you the “muscle aches”!
ACP members can claim CME-MOC credit at https://www.acponline.org/curbsiders (CME goes live at 0900 ET on the episode’s release date).
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com
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Credits
Producers: Christopher Chiu MD FACP FAAP; Jasneet Devgun DO; Justin Berk MD MPH MBA; Beth Garbitelli Writers: Jasneet Devgun DO; Justin Berk MD MPH MBA Infographic: Beth “Garbs” Garbitelli Cover Art: Kate Grant MBChB DipGUMed Hosts: Christopher Chiu MD FACP FAAP; Matthew Watto MD FACP; Paul Williams MD FACP Editors: Emi Okamoto MD (written materials); Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com (audio) Guest: Erin Michos MD MHS
Sponsor
ACP's Internal Medicine Meeting 2020 April 23-25th in Los Angeles, CA at the LA Convention Center. Early bird rates are available through January 31, 2020. Don’t forget to use the code: IMCURB20
Time Stamps
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:52 Getting to know Dr. Erin Michos
00:O6:50 Picks of the Week*: Sparking Joy- concept for Marie Kondo (book and

19 snips
Jan 13, 2020 • 1h 17min
REBOOT #137 Hyperkalemia Master Class with Joel Topf MD
A nephrologist shares valuable insights on managing hyperkalemia, including common causes, using insulin safely, and the role of loop diuretics and fluids. They also discuss the effectiveness of fludrocortisone and answer questions about high potassium diets.

Jan 6, 2020 • 1h 17min
REBOOT #129 Depression and Physician Suicide with Elisabeth Poorman MD
Beth Garbitelli and Nora Taranto MD add a new intro and share their own insights on this Curbsiders classic!
Physician suicide is a problem. There, we said it. We all have that story; Many of us have experienced the symptoms of depression or suicidal ideation ourselves, or have the colleague, mentor, friend, teacher, sibling, parent, or significant other who has experienced these signs and symptoms. Some of us (probably more than you’d think) have lost someone meaningful to suicide. And yet, we don’t talk about suicide and mental health in medicine, or at least, not enough. So, today, we at the Curbsiders are trying to change that.
The problem of depression and suicide is a particularly real one in medicine, a profession that is, by its very nature traumatic and emotionally draining (both in terms of work demands and also the sick and dying patients we treat). In this episode, we talk with expert Dr. Elisabeth Poorman about the natural history of depression in residency and beyond. We share some of our own personal stories, and discuss how we can support one another and reach out for help, how to take care of our mental health in an emotionally demanding career, how to deal with licensing questions and worry about stigma, and what systemic changes may be coming (read: we think need to be coming) down the line.
N.b. This is a sensitive topic. If this is triggering for anyone listening, the national suicide hotline number 1-800-273-8255. Moreover, if anyone needs or wants guidance on available resources, Dr. Elisabeth Poorman has made herself available via email at doctorpoorman@gmail.com, or you may reach out to any of us on Twitter. We are happy to talk and see that you get the support you need.
New episodes return January 20, 2020!
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Schwag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com
Sponsor
ACP's Internal Medicine Meeting 2020 April 23-25th in Los Angeles, CA at the LA Convention Center. Early bird rates are available through January 31, 2020. Don’t forget to use the code: IMCURB20
Credits
Written and produced by: Nora Taranto MD, Shreya Trivedi MD Hosts: Stuart Brigham MD, Shreya Trivedi MD, Matthew Watto MD Edited by: Matthew Watto MD
Guest: Elisabeth Po

6 snips
Dec 30, 2019 • 1h 5min
#190 Recap Extravaganza 2019
Dive into a recap brimming with insightful medical pearls from 2019! Discover the complexities of managing hyperkalemia and the importance of compassionate care in opiate use disorder treatment. Explore the challenges of multi-morbidity in patient care and the management of acute cirrhotic complications. Hear memorable moments and humorous reflections from hosts and faculty that illuminate their camaraderie. Plus, reflect on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and the significance of fostering connections in healthcare. A delightful mix of education and laughs awaits!

Dec 23, 2019 • 1h 4min
#189 Medical Overuse: Common Cases of Overtesting, Overdiagnosis, Overtreatment
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Daniel Morgan, an expert in epidemiology and public health, and Dr. Deborah Korenstein, an internist and health services researcher, tackle the complexities of medical overuse. They explore the pitfalls of overt testing and overdiagnosis, particularly the risks of incidentalomas found during imaging. The hosts delve into the controversies surrounding procalcitonin testing and unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for viral infections. The conversation offers valuable insights into the urgent need for better medical decision-making and patient-centered care.

Dec 16, 2019 • 1h 22min
#188 GERD and Dyspepsia with Dr. Amy Oxentenko MD
Delve into the diagnosis and management of GERD and dyspepsia with Dr. Amy Oxentenko (@AmyOxentenkoMD), Gastroenterologist and the Internal Medicine Residency Program Director, Associate Chair for the Department of Internal Medicine, and Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Our discussion features a review of the standard presentations of GERD and dyspepsia, alarm symptoms and who needs referral for endoscopy or other specialized testing (pH, impedance testing, screening for Barrett’s esophagus). Additionally, we comprehensively cover proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy including: choice of agent, dose, frequency, how taper, how to counsel patients about risk, what labs should be monitored and the use of adjuvant therapies like H2 blockers, antacids and even carafate. After this episode, you will be flexing on reflux!
ACP members can claim CME-MOC credit at https://www.acponline.org/curbsiders (CME goes live at 0900 ET on the episode’s release date).
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Schwag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com
Credits
Written and Produced by: Paul Williams MD, FACP, Beth Garbitelli CME Questions: Beth Garbitelli, Matthew Watto MD, FACP Infographic: Beth Garbitelli
Cover Art: Kate Grant MBChB DipGUMed
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Editor: Matthew Watto MD, FACP (written materials); Clair Morgan at Nodderly.com
Guest: Amy Oxentenko MD
Time Stamps
00:00 Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
02:47 Guest one-liner, Picks of the Week*: Reality TV Shows: Survivor and

Dec 9, 2019 • 1h 4min
#187 Buprenorphine Master Class: Managing Opioid Use Disorder for the Generalist
In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Michael Fingerhood, an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins and an addiction medicine expert, dives into the art of managing opioid use disorder. He shares valuable techniques for initiating buprenorphine treatment like a pro. The conversation highlights the importance of building therapeutic relationships and understanding the differences between treatment options. Personal experiences are shared, fostering an open dialogue about substance use and a patient-centered approach to recovery. It's both educational and engaging!

Dec 2, 2019 • 1h 11min
#186 Sarcopenia: Raising the Bar in Primary Care
Join Dr. Austin Baraki, an academic hospitalist, and Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum, a primary care physician and Barbell Medicine founder, as they dive into sarcopenia, the decline in muscle strength. They discuss how to diagnose and manage this condition through exercise prescriptions and tailored nutritional advice. Discover their insights on engaging patients in lifestyle changes despite comorbidities, and the vital role of resistance training and protein intake. Expect personal anecdotes and humor sprinkled throughout this enlightening conversation on health!