Clinical Update

People who live with obesity can be malnourished if they are eating a high-calorie diet that has low nutritional value, president of British Obesity Society and obesity nurse specialist Jane DeVille-Almond tells Dawn Liz Powell (medical editor at MIMS Learning) in this episode of the Clinical Update podcast. Jane adds that people on weight loss medications can also be at risk of malnutrition. She explains that as the drugs are associated with reduced appetite, people taking them may only feel like eating something small — such as a bag of crisps — and this can lead to nutritional deficiencies.Jane and Dawn also discuss how weight loss medications work, how healthcare professionals can support people with obesity, including those on medications, to eat a healthier diet, and how to encourage people to build up their exercise levels.Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Review the risk of malnutrition in a person with obesityDiscuss with patients the potential drivers of their obesitySupport patients living with obesity to eat a healthier dietGive practical advice to patients about building up their exercise levels Consider how to ensure that they eat a healthy diet themselves You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.Click here to vote between 14-16 January 2026 for the Learning Awards, for which MIMS Learning is shortlisted.MIMS LearningRegister for a FREE accountConfidence in Obesity CareObesity in adultsMIMSObesity treatmentsBritish Obesity SocietyResource hub

In the first Clinical Update episode of 2026, MIMS Learning editors Dawn Liz Powell and Rhiannon Ashman look at the goals of MIMS Learning’s new editorial campaign — Confidence in Obesity Care. One of the goals of the campaign is to help GPs and other healthcare professionals better understand the role of GLP-1 medications (also known as weight loss medications) in the management of obesity, looking at which medications can be prescribed in primary care and which patients are eligible for them.Another goal is to promote obesity management that encompasses the whole patient and not just their BMI.Dawn and Rhiannon also look at some of the complications of obesity, including cardio-renal-metabolic (CVRM) disease and young-onset type 2 diabetes.Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Recall the prevalence of obesity and why its management is importantDiscuss what NHS programmes are available for supporting weight loss Recall the available management options for obesityState which patients are eligible for weight loss medicationsReview the connection between obesity and young-onset type 2 diabetesYou can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.MIMS LearningRegister for a FREE accountCardio-renal-metabolic disease: clinical reviewConfidence in Obesity CareIdentifying and managing young-onset type 2 diabetesObesity in adultsAdult obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: clinical reviewMIMSObesity treatments

In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, MIMS Learning deputy editor Rhiannon looks back at a year of thought-provoking clinical education from the podcast. The episode begins with a focus on cancer diagnosis, revisiting a conversation with NHS England’s Professor Peter Johnson on the success of the Lung Cancer Screening Programme. We also hear from pancreatic cancer specialist nurse Rachel Richardson about the potential for new tests to revolutionise early detection in primary care. Dr Toni Hazell provides advice on one of the most talked-about clinical areas in 2025 – weight-loss medications – highlighting specific considerations for women using these drugs. Look out for more content on obesity as part of MIMS Learning’s 2026 editorial campaign.Consultant nephrologist Dr Andrew Frankel outlines the ‘three actions in 3 months’ initiative — a structured approach to medicines optimisation in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Also, Dr Steve Brinksman discusses how best to identify alcohol use disorder, noting ‘we’re in the harm reduction business – anything we can do to stop people developing diseases, to stop people having to go to hospital; that's worthwhile.’ Finally, Dr Farnaaz Sharief shares practical resilience frameworks to help clinicians recharge at this busy time of year. Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Describe the impact of targeted lung cancer screening Recall specific advice regarding oral contraception for patients using GLP-1 agonists for weight loss Outline the ‘three actions in 3 months’ approach to optimising medication in CKDUse screening tools to effectively assess alcohol consumption in primary care Apply practical techniques to manage your energy levels and maintain resilience in clinical practice You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser. Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events. MIMS Learning[Subscribe to MIMS Learning] Patient, Presentation, Pathway for Cancer campaignNHS England’s Professor Peter Johnson on optimising early cancer diagnosisNurse specialist Rachel Richardson on pancreatic cancer risk factors and new developments in earlier detectionDr Toni Hazell on weight loss injections and women’s healthPodcourse: part 2 - monitoring and management of CKD with Dr Andrew FrankelDr Steve Brinksman on supporting people with alcohol misuse in primary careDr Farnaaz Sharief on finding balance in a pressured systemFrom MIMSObesity treatments

If you enjoy a blend of online learning and podcast-style listening that you can fit into your busy life, then this podcourse is for you. Listen to this 3-part audio series, then go to MIMSLearning.co.uk to read the downloadable worksheets and complete the multiple-choice quizzes, to get up to speed with all the key points primary care professionals need to know about chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this episode (part 2), consultant nephrologist Dr Andrew Frankel covers monitoring and management of CKD. He explains why lifestyle modifications are ‘the foundation’ for improving CKD outcomes, gives an update on best practice for medicine optimisation and advises on how frequently patients should be followed up.MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser. Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcourse episode, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Understand the role of lifestyle changes in CKD management Recall the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in CKD patients Apply the ‘3 in 3’ medication optimisation strategy Recognise the impact of CKD impact on cardiovascular risk Explain how frequently patients with CKD should be followed up Consider how systematic CKD patient identification and coding could be implemented MIMS LearningSubscribe to MIMS LearningCKD podcourse with Dr Andrew Frankel, part 3: advanced managementCKD podcourse with Dr Andrew Frankel, part 1: diagnosis and classificationManaging patients with combined heart and kidney diseaseGuidance update: NICE guidelines on chronic kidney diseaseDiabetes-related kidney disease: prevalence, diagnosis, and impactPodcast: diagnosis and management of diabetes-related kidney diseaseCKD: the hidden public health emergency

If you enjoy a blend of online learning and podcast-style listening that you can fit into your busy life, then this podcourse is for you.Listen to this 3-part audio series, then go to MIMSLearning.co.uk to read the downloadable worksheets and complete the multiple-choice quizzes, to get up to speed with all the key points primary care professionals need to know about chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this episode (part 1), work through a typical primary care case with consultant nephrologist Dr Andrew Frankel. He outlines the diagnosis and classification of CKD and explains why and – importantly – how you should ‘look for kidney disease early and intervene rapidly’.MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser. Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcourse episode, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Recall the classification of CKD using GFR and ACR Identify the key components of a ‘kidney health check’ and state why this phrase is usefulRecognise the importance of early CKD detectionAppreciate the concept of ‘3 in 3’ in the context of kidney disease outcomesUnderstand how to use the Kidney Failure Risk EquationRecall blood pressure targets for patients with CKDUnderstand the impact of early tightening of glycaemic control in patients with diabetes and CKDMIMS LearningSubscribe to MIMS Learning CKD podcourse with Dr Andrew Frankel, part 2: monitoring and managementCKD podcourse with Dr Andrew Frankel, part 3: advanced managementManaging patients with combined heart and kidney diseaseGuidance update: NICE guidelines on chronic kidney diseaseDiabetes-related kidney disease: prevalence, diagnosis, and impactPodcast: diagnosis and management of diabetes-related kidney diseaseCKD: the hidden public health emergency

If you enjoy a blend of online learning and podcast-style listening that you can fit into your busy life, then this podcourse is for you.Listen to this 3-part audio series, then go to MIMSLearning.co.uk to read the downloadable worksheets and complete the multiple-choice quizzes, to get up to speed with all the key points primary care professionals need to know about chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this episode (part 3), consultant nephrologist Dr Andrew Frankel discusses advanced management of CKD, using the case of a patient whose disease has progressed. He explains when the focus should shift from preventing disease progression to planning for end-stage kidney failure treatment, and outlines the options, including dialysis, transplant, and supportive care.Dr Frankel emphasises that ‘the management of heart failure needs to be prioritised over the management of a decline in GFR’, and explains what this looks like in practice. He also offers tips on dealing with complications such as hyperkalaemia and anaemia.MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser. Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcourse episode, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Recognise when to begin planning for end-stage kidney failure treatmentRecall the role of supportive care as a treatment option for some patientsAppreciate why heart failure management should be prioritised over preservation of GFR in cardiorenal diseaseDescribe the management of hyperkalaemiaUnderstand the investigation and management of anaemia in advanced CKDMIMS LearningSubscribe to MIMS LearningCKD podcourse with Dr Andrew Frankel, part 1: diagnosis and classificationCKD podcourse with Dr Andrew Frankel, part 2: monitoring and managementPsychotropic medication and renal impairmentManaging patients with combined heart and kidney diseaseCardio-renal-metabolic disease: clinical reviewDiabetes-related kidney disease: therapy optionsGuidance update: NICE guidelines on chronic kidney diseasePodcast: diagnosis and management of diabetes-related kidney diseaseDiabetes-related kidney disease: five steps to optimise management