Best GPnotebook Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 170 – Aortic stenosis 19:13

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4d ago19:13

19:13

Aortic stenosis (AS) is an obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta due to narrowing at the level of the aortic valve. In Europe, it is the most common valvular disease requiring treatment and is the second most frequent cause for cardiac surgery. By the age of 80, it occurs in almost 10% of adults and has a mortality rate o…

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Ep 169 – Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) 14:48

11d ago14:48

14:48

Shin splints are a common type of leg pain caused by repetitive stress on the bones and muscles in the lower leg, particularly around the tibia. The condition, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), is characterised by pain and tenderness along the inner or front of the lower leg. It is often triggered by activities like running, jumpi…

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Ep 168 – Ectopic pregnancy 16:48

19d ago16:48

16:48

In the UK, ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed in approximately 11 out of every 1,000 pregnancies and typically presents 6–8 weeks after the last normal menstrual period but can be earlier or later. The risk of ectopic pregnancy increases with prior ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery, history of sexually transmitted infections, smoking, in vitro fertilisa…

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Ep 167 – Acute pancreatitis 18:24

26d ago18:24

18:24

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas, most commonly caused by bile stones or excessive use of alcohol. It is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract leading to hospital admission. In most patients, the disease takes a mild course, where moderate fluid resuscitation, management of pain and nausea and …

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Ep 166 – Hand–arm vibration syndrome 14:02

1M ago14:02

14:02

Hand–arm vibration syndrome is a chronic, progressive disorder of the upper limbs resulting from prolonged exposure to vibration. It encompasses vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal injury, often presenting with a combination of symptoms that may severely impact daily functioning and quality of life. This condition was historically observed a…

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Ep 165 – Chronic kidney disease among adults in primary care: management 28:21

1M ago28:21

28:21

In the second part of a two-episode series on chronic kidney disease (CKD), Dr Hannah Rosa is joined again by Dr Will Hinchliffe, a Consultant in Renal and General Medicine working in the North East and North Cumbria. They discuss the management options for CKD that can be initiated in primary care. They first look at how to empower patients with l…

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Ep 164 – Cauda equina syndrome 20:17

2M ago20:17

20:17

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is caused by compression of the lumbosacral nerve roots that extend below the spinal cord. The most common cause is disc prolapse at the L4/5 or L5/S1 level and stenosis of the spinal canal. Less commonly, compression may be due to pathology in a higher disc or to a tumour, infection or trauma. Typical symptoms and signs…

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Ep 163 – Chronic kidney disease among adults in primary care: testing, diagnosis and referral 22:56

2M ago22:56

22:56

In the first of a two-episode series on chronic kidney disease (CKD), Dr Hannah Rosa is joined by Dr Will Hinchliffe, a Consultant in Renal and General Medicine working in the North East and North Cumbria. They discuss which people are at risk of CKD, how to test for it and diagnose it and, lastly, which patients require a referral to secondary car…

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Ep 162 – Ankylosing spondylitis 19:46

2M ago19:46

19:46

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that predominantly targets the axial skeleton, especially the spine and sacroiliac joints. This condition evolves insidiously, often beginning in young adulthood, and gradually imposes limitations on spinal mobility, eventually leading to fusion in advanced cases. Beyon…

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Ep 161– Post-herpetic neuralgia 12:38

2M ago12:38

12:38

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication following an episode of shingles and can affect up to one in five people. Pain is typically described as burning or like an electric shock and is often associated with allodynia and hyperalgesia. It can have significant effects on both physical and psychological well-being, with sleep di…

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Ep 160 – Rethinking HIV: dealing with a positive test result 37:26

2M ago37:26

37:26

What if one of the most misunderstood diagnoses of the past is now one of the most manageable chronic conditions? How can GPs play a pivotal role in tackling stigma, increasing testing and improving outcomes for people living with HIV? Dr James Waldron is joined by Dr Grace Bottoni (HIV and Hepatitis C GP Champion, Lewisham) for a series of podcast…

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Ep 159 – Baker’s cyst 13:30

3M ago13:30

13:30

Baker’s cysts commonly present in primary care. In this episode, Dr Kate Chesterman discusses the pathophysiology, underlying aetiology and management options for this condition, describing possible differential diagnoses and indications for investigations. She also explains the self-care options for those with minimal symptoms and how to escalate …

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Ep 158 – Rotator cuff tears 17:02

3M ago17:02

17:02

A rotator cuff injury is an event that causes pain in the shoulder. This can be due to a tear, inflammation or narrowing of the space within the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff muscles interlock to work as a unit. They help to stabilise the shoulder joint and also help with shoulder joint movement. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson takes a speci…

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Ep 157 – Ganglion cysts 13:44

3M ago13:44

13:44

Ganglion cysts, also sometimes referred to as synovial cysts, are the most common benign soft-tissue masses of the hand and wrist. These cysts arise from the synovial lining of joints or tendon sheaths and are filled with a gelatinous, mucin-rich fluid. Despite their benign nature, ganglion cysts can cause discomfort, restrict motion and cause neur…

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Ep 156 – Carpal tunnel syndrome 17:29

3M ago17:29

17:29

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy, primarily affecting the median nerve at the level of the wrist. The condition results from compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel, leading to sensory and motor impairments in the affected hand. There are a range of causes for the condition, and treatments range…

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Ep 155 – Temporal arteritis 18:24

4M ago18:24

18:24

Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is an inflammatory condition that affects the large- and medium-sized arteries, primarily those in the head. It most commonly occurs in adults over 50, particularly women. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune response that leads to inflammation and narrowing of th…

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Ep 154 – Febrile seizures 16:06

4M ago16:06

16:06

Febrile seizures are common in the first 5 years of life, and many factors that increase the risk of such seizures occurring have been identified. Initial evaluation should determine whether features of a complex seizure are present, as well as identifying the source of fever. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson provides an overview of febrile seiz…

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Ep 153 – Asthma treatment, monitoring and self-management: what's changed in the 2024 BTS, NICE and SIGN guideline? 21:06

4M ago21:06

21:06

In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa continues looking at the new asthma guideline from the British Thoracic Society (BTS), NICE and SIGN, which was published in 2024. This guideline, based on the latest research, contains some big changes, which will hopefully help you to improve the lives of your patients living with asthma. In the first episode in th…

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Ep 152 – Rethinking HIV: from testing to transformation 25:36

4M ago25:36

25:36

What if one of the most misunderstood diagnoses of the past is now one of the most manageable chronic conditions? How can GPs play a pivotal role in tackling stigma, increasing testing and improving outcomes for people living with HIV? Dr James Waldron is joined by Dr Grace Bottoni (HIV and Hepatitis C GP Champion, Lewisham) for the first episode i…

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Ep 151 – Dupuytren’s disease 20:24

5M ago20:24

20:24

Dupuytren’s disease is a chronic, progressive condition that primarily affects the palmar and digital fascia of the hand. Over time, fibrous cords form under the skin, thickening and contracting, which can cause the fingers (most often the ring and little fingers) to curl inward. This results in Dupuytren’s contracture, limiting hand function and i…

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Ep 150 – Roseola 11:25

5M ago11:25

11:25

Roseola infantum is a viral infection primarily affecting infants and young children, most commonly between the ages of 6 and 12 months. It accounts for 10–45% of febrile illnesses in infants, and cases tend to peak in the spring and autumn seasons. Diagnosing roseola is almost always clinical, and for patients with the classic presentation a clini…

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Ep 149 – Raynaud’s phenomenon 15:46

5M ago15:46

15:46

Raynaud's phenomenon is a relatively common condition seen in primary care (especially during the autumn and winter months) that is characterised by vasospasm. This causes digits to change colour to white due to a lack of blood flow, usually brought on by cold temperatures. Affected areas subsequently turn blue due to deoxygenation and red due to r…

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Ep 148 – Sickle cell disease 13:46

5M ago13:46

13:46

Sickle cell anaemia is a disease of red blood cells, caused by an autosomal recessive single gene defect in the beta-chain of haemoglobin, which results in production of sickle cell haemoglobin. Sickle cells can obstruct blood flow and break down prematurely, and they are associated with varying degrees of anaemia. A common presentation of sickle c…

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Ep 147 – Paronychia 12:35

6M ago12:35

12:35

Paronychia is a common condition affecting the proximal and lateral nail folds of the hands or feet. In this episode, Dr Kate Chesterman discusses the differences between acute and chronic paronychia and the thinking around the causes and treatment of each. She also gives some tips that we can pass on to our patients regarding self-management and p…

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Ep 146 – Asthma diagnosis and treatment: what's changed in the 2024 BTS, NICE and SIGN guideline? 23:16

6M ago23:16

23:16

In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa discusses the new asthma guideline from the British Thoracic Society (BTS), NICE and SIGN, which was published in 2024. This guideline, based on the latest research, contains some big changes, which will hopefully help you to improve the lives of your patients living with asthma. In this first part of a two-episode s…

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Ep 145 – Gambling-related harms 13:11

6M ago13:11

13:11

Around 0.5% of the adult population in England experience problems gambling, 3.8% are at elevated risk of gambling harms and an estimated 7% are negatively affected by someone else’s gambling. NICE has published NG248 – its first recommendations on gambling, covering the identification, assessment and treatment of people over the age of 18 who are …

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Ep 144 – Osteoporosis: key learnings from the NOGG 2024 clinical guideline 22:31

6M ago22:31

22:31

The National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) clinical guideline for osteoporosis was updated in December 2024. In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa shares 10 things she learnt from the updated guideline about how to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at: https://gpnotebook.com/en-…

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Ep 143 – Irritable bowel syndrome 17:30

6M ago17:30

17:30

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition characterised by abdominal pain associated with bowel dysfunction and is one of the most common gastroenterology presentations in primary care. The pain is often relieved by defecation and is sometimes accompanied by abdominal bloating, with no structural abnormalities to explain the pain. IBS o…

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Ep 142 – Colorectal cancer 15:22

7M ago15:22

15:22

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common malignancy in the UK and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It refers to malignancies that arise from the caecum to the rectum and can be detected on screening, on imaging or endoscopy, or following presentation with change in bowel habit, iron deficiency anaemia or bowel obstruction. Its man…

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Ep 141 – Hidradenitis suppurativa 14:27

7M ago14:27

14:27

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that typically affects areas of pilosebaceous gland-containing skin. In HS, patients often suffer recurrent attacks of discharging and painful lesions that can require multiple courses of antibiotics or surgical drainage. The condition causes significant morbidity, distress and some…

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Ep 140 – Seasonal affective disorder 11:56

7M ago11:56

11:56

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, most commonly during the autumn and winter months when daylight hours are shorter. Characterised by symptoms such as persistent sadness, fatigue and changes in appetite or sleep patterns, SAD is more than just the "winter blues." It is a clinically …

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Ep 139 – Identification and treatment of perinatal mental health problems 20:34

7M ago20:34

20:34

Perinatal mental health (PNMH) problems affect one in five women and one in ten men. They can present in several ways, including depression and anxiety, but also post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychosis. In the third episode of the perinatal mental health series, Dr James Waldron and Dr Jenny …

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Ep 138 – Morton's neuroma 9:29

8M ago9:29

9:29

Morton’s neuroma is a common condition that results in forefoot pain. It is a condition that can often be diagnosed in primary care and managed with simple changes in footwear and over-the-counter treatments. In this episode, Dr Kate Chesterman discusses the classic presentation of Morton’s neuroma, considers the need for any investigations, and up…

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Ep 137 – Beyond baby blues: supporting mental health in parents and partners 22:22

8M ago22:22

22:22

The 6–8-week postnatal check is a chance to better support mental health in new parents. In this second episode in a series on perinatal mental health, Dr James Waldron speaks with Dr Jenny Barnes – a GP in Warwickshire and perinatal mental health champion – about making the most of this critical opportunity. This episode discusses addressing menta…

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Ep 136 – Quiz of the year 2024 15:47

8M ago15:47

15:47

In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa invites you to join her in the first ever GPnotebook quiz of the year. The GPnotebook education team have been reflecting upon all that they have learnt over the past 12 months, in both their day-to-day clinical work and through delivering GPnotebook Study Group events. The quiz is based on the facts that the team ha…

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Ep 135 – Tinnitus 14:27

9M ago14:27

14:27

Tinnitus can be frustrating for both patients and clinicians as there is some misinformation and misunderstanding about its aetiology and treatment options. For some people with tinnitus there is significant distress and a reduced quality of life that may not always be appreciated by healthcare professionals. Fortunately, most cases of tinnitus can…

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Ep 134 – Prostate cancer 16:47

9M ago16:47

16:47

One in six UK males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. In the UK prostate cancer is the most common male cancer, with over 55,000 new cases diagnosed every year. There has been much discussion in the media recently regarding whether men under the age of 50 should have access to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, particu…

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133 – Syphilis 14:34

9M ago14:34

14:34

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Known for its varied symptoms and potential to progress through multiple stages, syphilis can have serious health consequences if left untreated, affecting organs like the heart, brain and nerves. The infection spreads primarily through direct contact with syph…

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Ep 132 – Young people and alcohol 23:36

9M ago23:36

23:36

In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa reflects upon the changing relationship between young people and alcohol. She examines the latest statistics before discussing the Chief Medical Officer for England’s guideline on alcohol consumption for children and young people. The focus then moves on to the harms that we now know that alcohol can cause to young p…

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Ep 131 – Perinatal mental health: awareness, risks and impacts 25:17

9M ago25:17

25:17

Perinatal mental health (PNMH) issues refer to the period from the point of conception to a child’s first birthday. It encompasses several different mental health conditions and components far beyond the traditional understanding of post-natal depression and has an important impact on families and society. In part, the huge burden and associated co…

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Ep 130 – Croup 12:52

10M ago12:52

12:52

Croup is a respiratory condition typically affecting children, characterised by a distinctive barking cough, hoarseness and difficulty breathing. Caused primarily by viral infections, especially the parainfluenza virus, it inflames the larynx, trachea and bronchi, leading to swelling and obstruction in the airway. Croup symptoms often worsen at nig…

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Ep 129 – Acute appendicitis 14:00

10M ago14:00

14:00

Acute appendicitis is a medical emergency characterised by the sudden onset of inflammation in the appendix. As one of the leading causes of abdominal pain that necessitates surgical intervention, appendicitis can occur at any age, though it is most common in adolescents and young adults. The condition is primarily caused by a blockage in the appen…

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Ep 128 – Mastalgia (breast pain) 15:28

10M ago15:28

15:28

Breast pain affects around 70% of women at some point in their lives and is a common reason for referral to breast clinics. It is often a cause of anxiety for women who may be concerned that their pain might be associated with breast cancer. In this episode, Dr Kate Chesterman discusses the assessment of the patient presenting with breast pain and …

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Ep 127 – Fibromyalgia 16:37

10M ago16:37

16:37

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterised by chronic widespread pain together with multiple muscular tender points or associated fatigue, sleep disturbance or cognitive dysfunction in the absence of a well-defined underlying organic disease. The majority of patients present with both tender points and associated symptoms, although the exact aetiolo…

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Ep 126 – Are we doing enough chest X-rays in primary care? 16:13

11M ago16:13

16:13

In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa reflects upon the poor lung cancer survival rates in the UK. She asks whether we are doing enough chest X-rays in primary care and whether we could be detecting lung cancers earlier. She delves further into this by exploring why diagnosing lung cancer is challenging, reviewing the guidelines and latest research and t…

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Ep 125 – Generalised anxiety disorder 15:40

11M ago15:40

15:40

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common condition defined as chronic, excessive worry for at least 6 months that causes distress or impairment, and is hard to control. It is in part a diagnosis of exclusion: physical examination and laboratory studies are generally normal if no co-existing physical or mental health conditions or substance mi…

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Ep 124 – Ovarian cancer 14:12

11M ago14:12

14:12

Ovarian cancer is a common female malignancy. Patients often present with vague, non-specific symptoms such as abdominal bloating, early satiety and dyspepsia (suggestive of upper abdominal disease). Other symptoms are more suggestive of pelvic disease, such as pelvic pain, abdominal or pelvic pressure, low back pain and urinary urgency. Late diagn…

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Ep 123 – Proprioception and sleep for children with additional needs 26:56

11M ago26:56

26:56

In episode 121, care and consultations for children with additional needs, and how to help these children and their families, were discussed. In this episode, Dr James Waldron is again joined by Dr Naomi Fox. Here, they look at harnessing the power of proprioception to improve behaviour and sleep and reduce stress in children. Access episode show n…

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Ep 122 – Emollients: an overview 15:04

12M ago15:04

15:04

Emollients are moisturisers that help soothe, hydrate and protect the skin by forming an occlusive barrier to lock in moisture. They are commonly used to treat dry, rough and scaly skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis, and work by softening and smoothing the skin, reducing water loss and improving the skin's natural barrier func…

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Ep 121 – Improving consultations for children with additional needs 26:04

12M ago26:04

26:04

Many children have additional needs, and occupational therapy can play an important role in helping these children take part in everyday activities as well as in supporting their families and carers. In this episode, Dr James Waldron talks with Dr Naomi Fox, a paediatric occupational therapist, about ways to improve care and consultations for child…