Clinical Update

In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, Dr Louise Warburton talks to Dawn Liz Powell about the effect that obesity can have on the musculoskeletal system. She explains that if adults carry excess weight for a long time, perhaps from young adulthood, this can put additional strain on weight-bearing joints and can lead to premature wear and tear — meaning that the joints may need to be repaired or replaced.Dr Warburton, who is a GP with an extended role in musculoskeletal conditions, also talks about the importance of physical activity during childhood for developing healthy bone mass, how to sensitively raise the issue of weight loss with a person with suspected obesity-related joint pain, and how to support people with joint pain to exercise safely. The need for strength training for people on weight loss medications is also discussed during this episode.Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Discuss the effect of childhood obesity on spinal developmentSensitively raise the issue of weight loss with a person with suspected obesity-related joint painReflect on the effect of GLP-1 medications on the musculoskeletal systemReview the risks of toxicity reactions to pain medications in people living with obesitySupport people with joint pain to exercise safelyUnderstand the importance of strength training for people on weight loss medicationsYou 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 accountBone pain - red flag symptomsObesity in adultsPodcast: musculoskeletal disordersMIMS Healthcare NetworkMIMS table on obesity treatmentsMIMS Learning Live South (12 June, London, UK)

In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, MIMS Learning editors Pat and Sangeeta discuss falls in older people, highlighting tips on assessment, the benefits of exercise, and the role of deprescribing in primary care.Falls among older people cost the UK health and care system an estimated £4.4bn annually. Drawing on insights from consultant geriatrician Dr Anna Steel and NICE and British Geriatrics Society (BGS) guidance, Pat and Sangeeta cover multifactorial risk assessments and the ‘exercise as a drug’ approach.The editors highlight the critical importance of medication reviews, particularly focusing on ‘FRIDs’ (falls risk-increasing drugs). As Dr Steel notes, patients often value their immediate quality of life and mobility over long-term cardiovascular protection, making shared decision-making essential. The episode also details pragmatic prescribing targets for blood pressure and diabetes in frail patients to minimise harm.Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Understand the significant economic and personal impact of falls in the UKIdentify the ‘exercise as a drug’ approach to improve muscle mass and balanceConsult NICE guidance for recommendations on assessment and deprescribing Recognise fall-risk increasing drugs (FRIDs) and deprescribing tools to useUnderstand pragmatic clinical targets for blood pressure and glucose in frail patientsYou 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 Register for FREEFrailty: clinical reviewHeart failure and frailtyA practical guide to conducting a structured medication reviewRecurrent falls in older people

In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, consultant dermatologist Dr Claire Fuller talks to MIMS Learning deputy editor Rhiannon about the clinical signs of scabies – including how presentation can differ in children and older adults – and provides a detailed breakdown of effective treatment regimens for both permethrin and ivermectin.Dr Fuller goes on to discuss the issues of ‘pseudo-resistance’ and contact tracing, noting that ‘people do self-stigmatise and they really are challenged in persuading their contacts to treat.’ She also highlights scabies as a neglected tropical disease and a public health priority, with a particular focus on how it affects marginalised groups and those living in overcrowded settings.Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Recall the clinical features of scabies in different patient groupsUnderstand the role of microscopy or dermatoscopy in diagnosisDescribe the correct treatment protocols for permethrin and ivermectinExplain the importance of treating all close contacts to prevent re-infestationRecognise the signs of crusted scabiesReflect on the wider impact of scabies, including its effect on mental healthYou 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 accountRelated resources Podcast: sexual health in womenCase study: leptospirosisMpox: clinical diagnosis and managementMIMS: Lice and scabies treatmentsMIMS: Scabies medication shortages continue

GPs and primary care clinicians often encounter oral and dental problems, many of which are significant indicators of underlying systemic disease. In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, medical editors Sangeeta and Dawn discuss symptoms and signs that can suggest gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or eating disorders. They also examine the two-way relationship between periodontal health and diabetes, and the critical impact of oral health on pregnancy outcomes, including risks of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth.The episode further covers autoimmune presentations like lupus and pemphigus vulgaris, medication-related hyperpigmentation, and the oral health inequalities faced by patients with severe mental illness. Finally, the team provides practical guidance on managing maxillofacial emergencies, such as tooth avulsion and dental abscesses, in the GP surgery.Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Recognise oral manifestations of systemic conditions including IBD, diabetes, and autoimmune diseasesUnderstand the link between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomesIdentify dental emergencies, such as tooth avulsion, and initiate time-sensitive managementRecall the red flags for dental abscesses and oral squamous cell carcinoma that warrant urgent referralAddress oral health inequalities in patients with severe mental illnessYou 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 accountRelated resourcesOral signs and symptoms of systemic disease Urgent oral and dental problems Smoking cessation for people with severe mental illness

Different pollens can trigger hayfever at different times of the year and, potentially, if they are sensitive to all these different pollens, patients could be symptomatic from early January until October. Honorary consultant physician Dr Glenis Scadding advises that patients should start taking hayfever medication before their symptoms start and only stop taking it when their symptoms are likely to go away. In this episode of the medical update podcast, Dr Scadding speaks to MIMS Learning’s medical editor Sangeeta about hayfever management. She discusses what sets allergic rhinitis apart from viral infections, how to identify red flags, and what type of antihistamine to choose. She also highlights the benefits of combined intranasal sprays and the potential for sublingual immunotherapy to alter the long-term ‘allergic career’ of allergic rhinitis.Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to: Recall the common red flags that necessitate urgent ENT or specialist referralIdentify the clinical differences between viral upper respiratory infections and allergic rhinitisExplain the correct technique to use intranasal corticosteroid sprays for maximum efficacyRecognise when to consider allergen-specific immunotherapy for moderate to severe hayfeverReview the relationship between poorly controlled allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbationsYou 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 resourcesRegister for a FREE accountHayfever: clinical reviewPodcast: nose problems in primary careMIMSHayfever treatments

The perinatal period — from the start of pregnancy until the baby's first birthday — is a time of significant change for women and, while much of this can be positive, for some, it brings major challenges. Mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD, can have significant and long-lasting effects on both mothers and children. But, in this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, MIMS Learning editors Rhiannon and Pat remind us of the positive impact that primary care can have in identifying at-risk women and offering prompt intervention or referral.  They explore the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to risk of perinatal mental health disorders, including the impact of previous pregnancy loss, health inequalities, and complex social factors, and provide practical advice from experts on distinguishing postnatal depression from ‘baby blues’.Content warning: This podcast contains a brief mentions of maternal suicide, domestic violence and birth trauma, but focuses more broadly on how GPs can help patients experiencing mental health disorders. The Samaritans helpline is 116 123.Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Apply the biopsychosocial model to identify biological, psychological, and social risk factors for perinatal mental health disordersUse screening tools such as the Whooley questions, PHQ-9, and GAD-2 to assess for depression and anxietyBe aware of red flags that may indicate a psychiatric emergency, such as postpartum psychosis, requiring immediate referralRecognise the signs of perinatal OCD, and understand how these differ from postnatal depressionDiscuss management options, including the risk-benefit profile of prescribing while breastfeeding Recall the prevalence of birth trauma and the importance of providing trauma-informed careYou 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.Useful resourcesManaging perinatal mental health disorders in primary careA guide to providing trauma-informed maternity carePodcast: navigating medication safety in breastfeeding with Rachel PilgrimEquity in maternity care - lessons from MBRRACE-UKRegister for a FREE accountMIMSAntidepressants, a guide to switching and withdrawingTreatment options in pregnancy

How do we solve population pressure and climate crisis in space? How has GPS allowed us to provide 12% more food globally? How did the UK become a global leader in small satellite manufacture after the British Government said, “there’s no future for the UK satellite industry”? How did Elon Musk turn reusable rockets from science fiction to science fact in less than 20 years? What else are “Elon and Jeff” going to allow us to do? And why is SpaceX still “the elephant in the room”? Join Alice as she talks to Will Whitehorn, chair of giant space tech investor Seraphim and former president of Virgin Galactic, and they discuss the implications of “The Elon Musk show” and its legacy, “the beginnings of a competitive space industry of scale”. Contributors:Alice Bunn, President of UKspace Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedInUKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Will Whitehorn OBE, Seraphim Space Investment TrustWill Whitehorn OBE | LinkedInKey topics covered:UK satellite manufactureUK universitiesSpaceX valuationReuseable rocketsAgricultural managementPopulation pressureClimate crisisSolar powerData centres in spaceIndustrialising in space

Up to one-third of patients with a previous asthma diagnosis show no evidence of the condition upon further evaluation – so GPs should be prepared to re-evaluate, according to respiratory GP Dr Steve Holmes.Dr Holmes says: ‘When I see somebody and I think it’s asthma but the FeNO is normal and the eosinophils are normal, and then I send them for spirometry and that test is normal too, quite often at each time they come back with those normal results, I’m re-evaluating whether it is actually asthma or not.’As well as asthma diagnosis, this podcast covers current challenges in asthma management, including overuse of short-acting bronchodilator inhalers, and the shift towards maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) and on-demand anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) therapy. Dr Holmes also touches on current developments in management of COPD, and pitfalls in acute respiratory assessment.Educational objectivesAfter listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:Recall the percentage of people with an asthma diagnosis who do not actually have asthmaEnsure that they are following guideline-based recommendations for asthma diagnosisProactively find patients who are overusing short-acting bronchodilator inhalersReflect on how best to transfer patients to MART and AIR therapy Consider how to promote face-to-face inhaler technique coaching by healthcare professionalsIdentify normalised breathlessness so as to pick up more cases of COPDConsider how to identify COPD patients who might benefit from referral for biologic therapyPrioritise respiratory rate in acute assessment, and be aware of the limitations of pulse oximetersYou 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.Useful resourcesMIMS LearningGuidance update: BTS/NICE/SIGN guidelines on diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma managementChallenges in respiratory care learning planMIMSMIMS table on asthma and COPD preparations and compatible devices

What did the Space-Comm Expo conference and exhibition tell us about connecting space and wider business? How does this manifest as tech connectivity in telecoms and why do farmers care about that? What did we learn about the benefits of extreme cold in manufacturing laboratories and why do pharmas care about that? How vulnerable are global logistics to the spoofing of navigation signals? And why is the UK government centralising space strategy in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology? Join Alice and Jonners as they reflect on the UK space sector’s largest trade event and the “energy, diversity and …sheer scope of what this industry has to offer”. Contributors:Alice Bunn, President of UKspace Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedInUKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Jonathan Daves, The Karman LineJonathan Daves | LinkedIn Subscribe to The Karman LineApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-k%C3%A1rm%C3%A1n-line/id1876605462Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qED4CgdRDxfKKzYNKZCIH?si=lZ-I4a19SPGLAJL-dHi4DQYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheKármánLineUKKey topics covered:Space-Comm Expo, London, March 2026Conference overviewSector integrationInsuranceCustomer utilityGovernment roleFuture outlook Technological advancements· Telecoms· Manufacturing Defence and security· Satellite capabilities· Current threats