NPS Medicinewise Podcasts

Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death. Prioritising the conversations, providing support and using Quitline can make all the difference. Find the transcript here: www.nps.org.au/podcast/episode-51-quit-smoking.-what-makes-a-difference Further reading Quit Centre www.quitcentre.org.au Quitline www.quit.org.au

In this episode, Dr Caroline West speaks with GP Registrar Dr Rebecca Davison, Nurse Jamie Maney and Sarah about ways to build engagement with young people with mental health issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Episode 50: Mental health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people By NPS MedicineWise is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

In this episode Dr Caroline West, medical adviser and GP speaks with Dr Li-Chuen Wong, member of the Australasian College of Dermatologists and is the head of the Dermatology Department at Children's Hospital, Westmead. They discuss management of skin conditions like eczema and acne and treatments. Find the transcript here: https://www.nps.org.au/podcast/episode-49-all-about-the-skin-eczema-acne-and-antibiotics Further reading Help, helps resource hub - includes links to and information https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/helphelps/ The A to Z of Skin - information on common skin, hair and nail conditions, their symptoms, causes and how they are diagnosed and treated https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/a-to-z-of-skin/ Find a dermatologist - make it easier for health professionals and patients to locate a dermatologist by geographic location or expertise https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/find-a-derm/ Find a patient support group and mentional health support organisations https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/for-community/find-support-group/ Communicating with your healthcare provider https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/communicating-with-your-healthcare-provider

Dr Kate Annear, medical adviser and GP, NPS MedicineWise speaks with Dan and Jody who have a lived experience with chronic kidney disease. They discuss the resources they have found helpful, and advice they have for health professionals and for consumers in making this journey easier for others. Further reading Chronic kidney disease: early detection and management https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/chronic-kidney-disease Find the transcript here https://www.nps.org.au/podcast/episode-48-chronic-kidney-disease-a-consumer-perspective-on-navigating-a-new-diagnosis

Dr Caroline West, medical adviser and GP, NPS MedicineWise talks to Dr Jess Tidemann about the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and how GPs can access unapproved therapeutic goods. Further reading Accessing unapproved products www.tga.gov.au/accessing-unapproved-products Find the transcript here www.nps.org.au/podcast/episode-47-tga-access-to-unapproved-goods-access

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise Medical Advisor Dr Kate Annear speaks with Prof Pamela Macintyre – a pain medicine specialist – about the safe use of opioid analgesics in the management of acute pain in the emergency or post operative setting, with a focus on optimising patient outcomes and reducing the potential for opioid related harm. Further reading: https://www.nps.org.au/safe-use-of-opioids-in-acute-pain Find the transcript here: https://www.nps.org.au/podcast/episode-46-the-safe-use-of-opioids-in-acute-pain

Dr Caroline West, medical adviser and GP, NPS MedicineWise talks to Professor Sarah Hilmer and Associate Professor Charlotte Hespe about the use of oral COVID antivirals in vulnerable people.

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Dr Nicola Holmes, an experienced GP who specialises in the mental health of young people. Dr Holmes gives her perspective and practical tips on what she feels makes a real difference to engagement and management. Find the transcript here: https://www.nps.org.au/podcast/episode-44-engaging-with-young-people-on-their-mental-health

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Professor Rachelle Buchbinder and Professor Ian Harris and discuss the increasing pressure in modern medicine to do more tests, more scans and are we at danger of over diagnosing and overtreating.

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Dr Michael Millard, director of the clinical research unit for anxiety and depression at St. Vincent's Hospital. They discuss how early interventions with effective support, engagement and management can make all the difference to young people and their mental health.

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Associate Professor Lisa Lampe about burn out and the high cost for health professionals and patients.

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Nic Juniper and Rebecca Langman, two young people with lived experience

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Prof Sarah Hilmer and Prof Josh Davis, members of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce Guidelines Leadership Group. They give an update on the new antiviral treatments now available and answer some frequently asked COVID management questions.

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks to Dr Kate Annear, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor and Associate Professor Charlotte Hespe, GP, head of general practice at Notre Dame University, and chair of the New South Wales ACT faculty of the RACGP discuss the new oral antiviral COVID medications that have been provisionally approved for use.

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Dr Karen Price, RACGP President on how being involved with shared decision-making can make a difference.

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Dr Richard O'Regan, an addiction medicine consultant with the Royal Perth Bentley Group about opioid addiction and how to have those very useful, but sometimes very difficult, conversations with patients.

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West interviews Debra Letica and Ricky Spencer talk about how about Choosing Wisely and the 5 questions are resulting in empowering conversations between Health Professionals and patients and more appropriate care

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West talks to our other medical adviser Dr Kate Annear about the cumulative effects of anticholinergic medicines. Not always front of mind, these medicines can cause many problematic side effects and can lead to poor health outcomes including increased risk of falls and cognitive decline. We cover what these medicines are and what can be done. Reviewing people's multiple medicines and considering deprescribing or finding alternative treatments can reduce ‘anticholinergic burden'.

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West interviews Professor Julie Leask to discuss the COVID 19 vaccination and it's availability to children over the age of 12. They discuss the hesitancy some parents have toward the vaccines and how to address the questions parents have. Professor Leask works with the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, the Sydney Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases, is a Visiting fellow for the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance and works at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise educational visitor and pharmacist Kara Joyce interviews NPS MedicineWise medical advisor and GP Dr Anna Samecki to discuss the recent TGA alert around varenicline (marketed as Champix) and the implications for practice.

In this episode NPS MedicineWise CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris is joined by Professor Andrew McLachlan, Head of School and Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney, to discuss how the COVID pandemic has sparked a growing interest among consumers in medicines and treatments. They discuss the vital role health professionals play in communicating harms and benefits with consumers. They also consider why clinicians should take an interest in the upcoming review of the National Medicines Policy, and Steve bids farewell ahead of stepping down as NPS MedicineWise CEO at the end of July.

In this episode about health literacy, NPS MedicineWise CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris is joined by health consumer advocate Debra Letica and CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells. New survey findings have shown that one in five consumers rarely or never felt comfortable asking their doctor, pharmacist or nurse when they needed more information. Steve, Debra and Leanne discuss how health literacy is a fundamental pathway to good healthcare, practical ways health professionals can help consumers feel more in control of their own health care, and why it's so important to include consumers in shaping health care messages.

In this second special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast about upcoming scheduling changes to nicotine vaping products, medical adviser and GP Dr Jill Thistlethwaite talks with Adjunct Professor John Skerritt from the Health Products Regulation Group (HPRG), including the Therapeutic Goods Administration at the Australian Government Department of Health and Professor Nick Zwar, Executive Dean of the Health Sciences and Medicine Faculty at Bond University and Chair of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Expert Advisory Group on smoking cessation clinical practice guidelines. They provide a brief recap on the new prescribing process for nicotine vaping products that is coming into effect from 1 October 2021 and what GPs need to know about these changes. They also discuss the new standard for prescribing nicotine vaping products and the upcoming RACGP smoking cessation guideline update. This podcast was developed with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.

In this special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast about upcoming scheduling changes to nicotine vaping products, CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris talks with Adjunct Prof John Skerritt and Ms Jenny Francis from the Health Products Regulation Group (HPRG), including the Therapeutic Goods Administration at the Australian Government Department of Health. They discuss the new prescribing process for nicotine vaping products that is coming into effect from 1 October 2021, why the regulation is being changed, which products are being affected, and what prescribers need to do to prepare for this change. This podcast was developed with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.

In this episode NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Jill Thistlethwaite interviews Dr Robyn Lindner, also from NPS MedicineWise and Executive Sponsor for Choosing Wisely Australia and Tara Montgomery, a public health advocate and communications strategist at Civic Health Partners in the United States. They discuss why the Choosing Wisely initiative has been needed in Australia and how it has been received here, why it’s critical to engage consumers in the campaign, and the role of culture and systems in reducing unnecessary care. Robyn and Tara also talk about the program and themes for the upcoming Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting, to be held as a virtual event on 19 May 2021, including some glimpses into Tara's presentation on trust as a facilitator and barrier in choosing wisely.

In this special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast, NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Jill Thistlethwaite talks with Dr Hester Wilson, a GP and addiction medicine specialist, and Ms Leah Dwyer, a member of Painaustralia’s Consumer Advisory Group, about the risk of tolerance, dependence and overdose with opioids for chronic noncancer pain. This podcast was developed with funding from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Government Department of Health.

In this episode NPS MedicineWise CEO Steve Morris interviews Leanne Wells, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) following the recent CHF Summit - Australasia’s inaugural consumer health summit. They discuss what health organisations and health professionals need to do fundamentally to move towards truly consumer-centred care, how we build equity in accessibility into digital enhancement and evolution, and the role of health literacy and in particular medicines literacy in helping ensure people don't get left behind. Steve and Leanne also discuss the challenges and opportunities of virtual conferences, and invite listeners to join two upcoming virtual events: the National Medicines Symposium on 18 May and the 2021 Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting on 19 May.

In this special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast, Dr Jill Thistlethwaite talks with Dr Tania Gardner, senior physiotherapist with St Vincent's Hospital’s ‘Reboot Online’ Pain Management Program, and Ms Sarah Fowler, a member of Painaustralia’s Consumer Advisory Group, about the non-pharmacological treatment options for patients with chronic non-cancer pain. The discussion draws from Sarah’s consumer experience and outlines effective strategies for motivating patients to actively participate in the shared-decision making process with their health professional. This podcast was developed with funding from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Government Department of Health. “Episode 24 – Opioids special #2: Non-pharmacological management options for chronic non-cancer pain” by NPS MedicineWise is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

In this episode, recorded on 17 February 2021, NPS MedicineWise CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris is joined by the head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Adj Prof John Skerritt to hear the latest information about COVID-19 vaccination in Australia, which is rolling out from this month. They discuss how the TGA makes decisions about which vaccines to approve in terms of both safety and efficacy, and how potential adverse events from the vaccines will be monitored as the vaccine is rolled out. This information was current as at 17 February 2021. For up to date information please visit our Further Reading links.

In this episode Dr Anna Samecki talks with Theresa Flavin, who has been living with dementia for many years. Theresa gives a powerful insight into how it feels being on ‘the other side’ and offers a unique patient perspective on dementia and changed behaviour care.

After the closing address at the National Medicines Symposium 2020, Steve Morris chats with Prof Andrew McLachlan – Head of School and Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney. They reflect on the symposium with the theme of Rising to the medication safety challenge, what 2020 has meant for the quality use of medicines and how COVID-19 has shown us what is possible.

In this episode NPS MedicineWise CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris catches up with Executive Director of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce A/Prof Julian Elliott. They discuss how 2020 played out in terms of the top medicines that were touted as treatments for COVID-19, the emerging areas of evidence, and how clinicians on the ground have been applying the living guidelines.

In this special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast, Dr Jill Thistlethwaite talks with Associate Professor Michael Vagg, pain physician and Dean of the Faculty of Pain Medicine Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and Mr Don Firth, a member of Painaustralia’s Consumer Advisory Group, about the challenges involved in tapering opioids. They discuss the practical aspects of tapering, drawing from their different experiences, and sharing examples from clinical practice. This podcast was developed with funding from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Government Department of Health.

In this episode Dr Anna Samecki talks with accredited pharmacist Kara Joyce, who has been overseeing the new NPS MedicineWise program on Dementia and changed behaviours: a person-centred approach. They discuss the main issues facing aged care, specifically from a dementia and changed behaviours perspective, the impact of COVID-19 on this space, the importance of person-centred care, and what resources are available for health professionals to support consumers, their families and carers.

In this episode Steve Morris interviews Dr Robert Herkes, Chief Medical Officer with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and past Director of Intensive Care at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. They discuss the ways in which the Commission has been supporting clinicians during COVID-19 and touch on some of the important lessons learned as a result of the pandemic. They also discuss why medication safety has proved to be such a difficult challenge over the years, and invite listeners to hear more at an upcoming panel discussion at the virtual National Medicines Symposium (NMS) 2020 to be held on Monday 7 December. Further reading: The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care: www.safetyandquality.gov.au National Medicines Symposium (NMS) 2020: www.nps.org.au/nms2020 Other NPSmedicinewise podcasts: www.nps.org.au/podcast

In this episode Dr Anna Samecki talks with Melissa Black, a clinical psychologist from the Black Dog Institute. They discuss why it’s important for healthcare workers to proactively look after their own mental health, when to seek professional help, some simple ways to manage stress, and some of the resources available including The Essential Network (TEN), an e-health hub for healthcare workers. Further reading: The Black Dog Institute: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ TEN - The Essential Network for Health Professionals: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ten/ Other NPSmedicinewise podcasts: www.nps.org.au/podcast

In the early phase of the pandemic, cancer testing rates fell significantly. In this episode Steve Morris speaks with Professor Dororthy Keefe, CEO of Cancer Australia, about the rates of cancer testing during the pandemic and the potential follow-on effects of this. Further reading: Cancer Australia Website: canceraustralia.gov.au Cancer Won’t Wait Campaign: canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-wont-wait

In this episode Steve Morris talks to Greg Johnson, CEO of Diabetes Australia, about the biggest challenges facing people with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, why diabetes is a ‘pandemic within a pandemic’, feedback from consumers about telehealth, and the importance of addressing mental health. Further reading Diabetes Australia: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS): www.ndss.com.au RACGP - Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice: www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/diabetes/introduction Heads up on diabetes – National Diabetes Week 2020: www.headsupdiabetes.com.au

In this episode NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Anna Samecki talks with Veronica Nou, a community pharmacist working in western Sydney and recipient of a 2020 NSW Humanitarian Award. This week (7-11 September 2020) is NSW Multicultural Health Week, with a focus on health literacy and the safe use of medicines. In this podcast, Anna and Veronica discuss some of the health issues experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and some practical ways health professionals can help improve medicines literacy and communications, especially among vulnerable populations. Further reading: NSW Multicultural Health Week: www.multiculturalhealthweek.com Ethnolink: COVID-19 translated resources www.ethnolink.com.au/covid-19-coronavirus-translated-resources The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National): www.tisnational.gov.au NPS MedicineWise: Download the NPS MedicineWise Medicines List in English and 10 additional community languages www.nps.org.au/medicineslist NPS MedicineWise: Links to COVID-19 information translated into community languages www.nps.org.au/COVID-19-in-language

In this episode NPS MedicineWise CEO Steve Morris is joined by Professor Michael Kidd AM, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Australian Government Department of Health. They discuss the role of the Department of Health’s National Incident Room and the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce, the challenges of managing chronic disease during this pandemic - particularly in vulnerable populations, and some the ways health professionals are ensuring continuity of care and access to medicines to patients in this rapidly changing environment. Further reading National Incident Room: www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/national-incident-room National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce: covid19evidence.net.au

In this episode, Steve Morris speaks with Dr Simon Judkins, an emergency physician working in Victoria at one of the Choosing Wisely Australia Champion Health Service hospitals. They discuss how the Choosing Wisely principles, particularly around resource stewardship and the importance of conversations about what care is necessary, have been relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also look at how new pandemic guidance from Choosing Wisely Australia will help health professionals and consumers navigate the current environment. Further reading Choosing Wisely principles: www.choosingwisely.org.au/what-is-choosing-wisely-australia Choosing Wisely pandemic guidance for health professionals: www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/health-professionals/choosing-wisely-australia-pandemic-guidance Choosing Wisely pandemic guidance for consumers: www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/choosing-wisely-australia-pandemic-guidance 5 questions to ask - for consumers to use to start a conversation with their doctor or other healthcare provider about what matters to them and their health, available in English and 12 additional languages: www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/5-questions-to-ask-your-doctor-or-other-healthcare-provider-before-you-get-any-test-treatment-or-procedure Becoming a Choosing Wisely Australia Champion Health Service: www.choosingwisely.org.au/health-services

There has been some recent buzz around vitamin D supplements and their role in preventing or even treating COVID-19. In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Anna Samecki talks to NPS MedicineWise senior clinical program officer and pharmacist Rawa Osman to discuss whether or not vitamin D supplements may protect people with COVID-19 from more serious health complications, possible indirect links between vitamin D deficiency and poorer outcomes for people with COVID-19, and quality use of testing principles when it comes to vitamin D. Further reading NPS MedicineWise has a new article for consumers on vitamin D and COVID-19: https://www.nps.org.au/news/vitamin-d-and-covid-19

In this episode, Steve Morris speaks with Chris Freeman, National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) about how pharmacists have responded and adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, navigated medicines access challenges and enabled continuity of care, and the importance of taking care of their own health and wellbeing. Further reading Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) information for pharmacists: www.psa.org.au/coronavirus/ NPS MedicineWise COVID-19 information hub: www.nps.org.au/coronavirus

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise CEO Steve Morris speaks with the head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) John Skerritt about how the TGA is supporting clinicians and consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss some of the unique challenges the TGA has faced and the way it has adapted to these, along with innovations that should be continued beyond the pandemic period. Further reading: The Therapeutic Goods Administration: www.TGA.gov.au The refreshed NPS MedicineWise COVID-19 information hub: www.nps.org.au/coronavirus

In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Anna Samecki talks to Natalie Raffoul, clinical pharmacist and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Manager at the Heart Foundation about the link between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and COVID-19.

Early results from the RECOVERY trial in the UK are showing that steroid medicine dexamethasone reduces death in hospitalised patients with severe respiratory complications of COVID-19. In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Anna Samecki talks to NPS MedicineWise senior clinical program officer and pharmacist Rawa Osman to take an initial look at what the preliminary results may show, implications for practice in Australia, and some tips on how to have conversations with patients about these findings.

Episode 5: Quality use of medicines and COVID-19 by NPS Medicinewise

In this episode, CEO of NPS MedicineWise Adj A/Prof Steve Morris talks with Executive Director of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce A/Prof Julian Elliott. They discuss the role of the Clinical Evidence Taskforce during this pandemic, NPS MedicineWise joining the Taskforce as a partner, the role of living evidence and guidelines, and recent and upcoming clinical topics to be covered by the Taskforce. To access the latest continually updated, evidence-based clinical guidelines and to find out more about the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce go to https://covid19evidence.net.au/ To read the latest on the NPS MedicineWise COVID-19 information hub go to www.nps.org.au/coronavirus A joint media statement from NPS MedicineWise and the Clinical Evidence Taskforce about their partnership is available at www.nps.org.au/media

The advice from Australian health authorities around testing has been evolving as the COVID-19 situation evolves. And as with everything to do with COVID-19, even the available tests are new, with the data growing all the time. In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Anna Samecki interviews fellow medical adviser and GP Dr Jill Thistlethwaite about how clinicians can practice quality use of testing during this pandemic.

Currently there are no approved medicines to treat COVID-19. However, there are several trials underway assessing the role of antiviral medicines, including remdesivir, in the treatment of COVID-19. In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Anna Samecki talks with CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris about the latest evidence for remdesivir and what this might mean for treating COVID-19.

In this episode, we look at emerging evidence for the use of hydroxychloroquine during COVID-19, and whether it is actually a ‘miracle drug’ that will save lives during this pandemic.