RCP Medicine Podcast

In this episode, Dr Bryony Alderman, palliative care consultant and RCP sustainability clinical education fellow, joins Dr Vasiliki Thanopoulou, rheumatology registrar and RCP clinical education fellow, for a wide‑ranging discussion demystifying modern palliative care.Together they explore how the specialty has evolved beyond end‑of‑life support, highlighting early integration, symptom management across disease groups, and the importance of compassionate, individualised care.The conversation dives deep into practical clinical considerations: appropriate timing of referrals, anticipatory prescribing, managing medications in renal/hepatic failure, handling chronic disease therapies at the end of life, and common misconceptions around syringe drivers. They also discuss communication challenges, including uncertainty in prognostication, hydration and nutrition decisions, and supporting families during difficult conversations.This is an essential episode for clinicians looking to enhance confidence and skill in end‑of‑life care, while keeping person‑centred care at the heart of practice.Resources https://www.spict.org.uk/Lee C, Tran TT, Ross J Anticipatory prescribing in community end-of-life care BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 2024;14:353-357https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/professionals/resources/nil-mouth-medication-dose-calculators-and-guidelineshttps://www.diabetes.org.uk/for-professionals/improving-care/clinical-recommendations-for-professionals/diagnosis-ongoing-management-monitoring/end-of-life-carehttps://www.nacel.nhs.uk/about-nacelExplore our CPD portfolio by your career stageEducation and professional development | RCPRCP LinksEducationRCP Social MediaInstagramLinkedInFacebookBlueskyMusic:  Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com  Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

Ewan Forrest, consultant hepatologist and professor with expertise in liver disease, guides a clinical dive into alcohol-related hepatitis. Clear definitions and key blood-test patterns are discussed. Practical first 72–96 hour management, infection screening, steroids and nutrition are covered. Prognostic scores, the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and future treatments including transplantation debates are explored.

Mhairi Donnelly, a transplant hepatologist specializing in acute liver failure and transplant care. They discuss urgent differentials for massive transaminases, key early investigations and monitoring, recognizing deterioration and when to escalate care. Practical tips on management decisions, transplant referral triggers, and the role of psychiatric assessment in transplant suitability are highlighted.

In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, we explore the pressing challenges facing resident doctors in the NHS and the transformative work of the Next Generation campaign. Joining us is Professor Mumtaz Patel, President of the Royal College of Physicians, Vice President for Education and Training, and Chair of the Next Generation Oversight Group. Professor Patel shares her extensive experience in medical education and workforce planning, offering candid insights into recruitment pressures, training reform, and the future of postgraduate medical education. Alongside Professor Patel, Dr Jemima Sellicks, a resident doctor and committee representative, brings a frontline perspective on the realities of training today. Together, they discuss competition ratios, the IMT application process, exam integrity, and the results of the recent Next Generation survey, which revealed stark concerns about burnout and retention. Whether you’re a trainee, educator, or policymaker, this episode offers practical solutions, hope for systemic change, and a call to action for shaping a fairer, more supportive training environment.Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stageEducation and professional development | RCPRCP LinksEducationRCP Social MediaInstagramLinkedInFacebookBlueskyMusic:  Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com  Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, we explore the critical issue of health inequalities during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Joining us is Dr Maria Mouyis, Consultant Physician & Rheumatologist with Specialist Interest in Obstetric Medicine, alongside Dr Vasiliki Thanopoulou, RCP clinical education fellow, Rheumatology/GIM Specialist Registrar. Together, they unpack why pregnancy itself can be a risk factor for health inequality, the findings from the MBRRACE report, and the systemic, cultural, and clinical challenges that impact maternal and neonatal outcomes.From disparities in maternal mortality among ethnic minority groups to the role of unconscious bias and digital exclusion, this conversation highlights practical steps clinicians can take to improve equity in care. We also discuss innovative initiatives such as maternal medicine networks, preconception clinics, and community engagement projects that aim to empower women and reduce adverse outcomes.Whether you’re a clinician, policymaker, or advocate, this episode offers actionable insights and resources to help drive change.Resources: UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) | UKOSS | NPEUReports | MBRRACE-UK | NPEUSpecial interest groups | British Society for RheumatologyEastern Obstetric Medicine Group: EOMG Meetings | MacDonald Obstetric Medicine SocietyMultidisciplinary Approaches to Maternal Health - elearning for healthcareRacism in pain management causes needless suffering | The BMJFIVEXMOREExplore our CPD portfolio by your career stageEducation and professional development | RCPRCP LinksEducationRCP Social MediaInstagramLinkedInFacebookBlueskyMusic:  Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com  Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

Dr. Tam Malley, a consultant rheumatologist at the Royal Free Hospital, delves deep into the complexities of inflammatory myositis. He presents a compelling clinical case, highlighting initial symptoms and the diagnostic challenges faced in practice. Key discussion points include identifying subtle signs such as Gottron papules and interpreting muscle enzyme levels. Malley underscores the importance of early intervention and multidisciplinary care, sharing insights on managing patient cases, including cancer screening related to myositis.

In this RCP Medicine podcast and BSR Talking Rheumatology podcast collaboration Dr Roz Benson and Dr Lisa Waters discuss a challenging case of a patient with an acute hot joint who presented to the acute medical unit. It covers wide ranging topics including diagnosis and management of gout, investigation of the acute hot joint and how to treat septic arthritis. Dr Roz Benson is a Consultant Rheumatologist at NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, BSR Digital Learning Editor, and Talking Rheumatology host and Dr Lisa Waters is a Rheumatology and Acute Medicine Consultant at Manchester University Hospitals. She is clinical lead for Acute Medicine and a former RCP Chief Registrar.Resources NICE: Diagnosis and management of gouthttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng219/chapter/RecommendationsThe British Society for Rheumatology Guideline for the Management of Gout https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article-abstract/56/7/e1/3855179?redirectedFrom=fulltextIf you liked this check out related Talking Rheumatology spotlight episodes Episode 9 - Diagnosis and management of goutBonus episode - a tricky case of infection and arthritisExplore our CPD portfolio by your career stageEducation and professional development | RCPRCP LinksEducationRCP Social MediaInstagramLinkedInFacebookBlueskyMusic:  Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com  Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas

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-stigmaExplore our CPD portfolio by your career stageEducation and professional development | RCPRCP LinksEducationRCP Social MediaInstagramLinkedInFacebookBlueskyMusic:  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 Archive, Heritage Library and Museum The Royal College of Physicians Heritage library, Archive and Museum are seeking to collect objects, documents and publications to reflect the experiences of physicians delivering HIV/AIDS care and people living with HIV/AIDS. Further information can be found at: https://history.rcp.ac.uk/collections/call-for-donations-related-to-HIV-AIDSExplore our CPD portfolio by your career stageEducation and professional development | RCPRCP LinksEducationRCP Social MediaInstagramLinkedInFacebookBlueskyMusic:  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 Kilvert, 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 Kilvert: www.diabetescounselling.co.ukExplore our CPD portfolio by your career stageEducation and professional development | RCPRCP LinksEducationRCP Social MediaInstagramLinkedInFacebookBlueskyMusic:  Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com  Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas