Purple Pen Podcast
Education and news for pharmacists, with a focus on Australian clinical pharmacy practice. Hosted by Kristin Xenos and Natalie Tasker, we provide CPD and news for pharmacists, especially those interested in Australian clinical practice. Created by Jane Booth and Dan Guidone.
Episodes
PPP 192 - Colonoscopy with Dr Kostas Brooks
Gastroenterologist and three-time guest Dr Kostas Brooks returns for a discussion on colonoscopy, bowel cancer screening, and best practice care in Australia. In this episode, we cover: Home bowel cancer screening The role of home-based faecal occult blood tests in early detection How the program works in practice What best practice looks like in screening and surveillance Bowel preparatio
PPP 191 - Slowing Myopia Progression: How Atropine Fits in with Dr Loren Rose
In this episode of Myopia Progression and the Role of Atropine in Managing Myopia, we speak with Dr Loren Rose about one of the fastest growing challenges in children's eye health. We explore emmetropisation, the natural process by which a child's eyes develop towards clear vision, and what happens myopia. Dr Rose explains key concepts including hyperopic reserve, what a dioptre actually measures,
PPP 190 - Osteoporosis with Dr Mariya Farah Kitson
In this episode, we're joined by Dr Mariya Farah Kitson, Consultant Rheumatologist at the Osteoporosis Refracture Prevention Clinic at Royal North Shore Hospital, for a deep dive into the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. We explore why osteoporosis remains significantly underdiagnosed, current recommendations for bone mineral density (BMD) screening, and the ongoing osteoporosis care gap
PPP 189 - Scabies with Dr Francis Lai
In this episode, dermatologist Dr Francis Lai joins us to unpack everything you need to know about scabies — what it is, how it spreads and why some communities are more at risk. We break down diagnosis, treatment options, common myths and what to expect during recovery. Practical, evidence‑based advice for clinicians, parents and anyone dealing with this incredibly itchy but entirely treatable co
PPP 188 - Menopause Part 2 with Jarrah Anderson and Bo Youn Kim
Kristin speaks with two pharmacists working in menopause care: Bo Kim, clinical pharmacist and founder of EmpowHer Menopause in Perth Jarrah Anderson, Clinical Lead at MedCast and member of the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance In this episode Types of menopausal hormone treatment (MHT) When different MHT options are used in perimenopause and menopause. Safety conversations Current think
PPP 187 - Menopause Part 1 with Prof Susan Davis
This International Women's Day (IWD) we a focused on women's health. In this episode, Kristin speaks with Professor Susan Davis, AO, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, FAHMS, Head Monash University Women's Health Research Program, Endocrinologist, leading menopause researcher. Prof Davis is Director of the Women's Health Research Program in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Mel
PPP 186 - Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Clarissa Rentsch and Sheridan Rodda
In this episode, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) pharmacists Clarissa Rentsch and Sheridan Rodda break down the essentials of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, from diagnosis and treatment options to the expanding role of monoclonal therapies. We explore Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, therapeutic drug monitoring and how pharmacists can optimise care for people living with IBD. A clear, practical co
PPP185 - Live from NAPSA Congress 2026
In this episode, I'm coming to you live from NAPSA Congress, the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association's week-long flagship event that brings together pharmacy students from across Australia. The Congress is packed with education sessions, workshops, social events, networking opportunities, and a vibrant trade exhibition, and this episode captures the energy of being right in the midd
PPP 184 - Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements with Josh Schiller
Listen in to our latest episode as Kristin chats with Josh Schiller, a Accredited Practising Dietitian, about navigating the world of nutritional supplements and vitamins in pharmacy practice. Josh breaks down which products he would recommend, the key interactions between diet, vitamins, and prescription medicines that you need to know about and the age old question, do you really need that multi
PPP 183 - Wound management with Gary Bain (AKA the Wound Guy)
We talk to Gary Bain (AKA the wound guy) about the integumentary system, the stages of wound healing, the advantages of good old fashioned clean water for wound cleaning, guiding principles of dressing changes for inflammatory phase vs proliferation phase, when to use different types of dressings e.g hydrocolloid, the benefits of a wound selfie to check progress, advantages of compression bandages
PPP 182 - Topical corticosteroids with Dr Eleni Yiasemides
We talked with, Dr Eleni Yiasemides (board-certified consultant Dermatologist specialist from Sydney) about *Inappropriate indications for topical corticosteroids (cortisones) like perioral dermatitis when less is usually more *The verdict on combination products corticosteroids + anti fungal creams and when to use them *Busting myths on topical corticosteroids like "apply sparingly" *The issue of
PPP 181 - ABC of Antibiotics
We're marking World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week 2025 with an episode dedicated entirely to antibiotics, the medicines we rely on every day and the ones we need to protect. We're joined by Caroline Chen, a senior antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist and project officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, for a deep dive into all things antibiotics. Together, we walk through the ABCs
PPP 180 - GLP-1 Agonist Update
Listen in as Kristin chats with Dr Angela Kwong, a Sydney-based General Practitioner with a special interest in medically supervised weight management, about the use of GLP-1 agonists. Dr Kwong serves as the NSW State Lead for the RACGP Specific Interests Group in Obesity Management and works closely with colleagues across disciplines to improve care for people living with obesity. She is also the
PPP 179 - Rhinitis with Prof Pete Smith
We talk with Prof Pete Smith, an allergist from Queensland about Why rhinitis shouldn't be sneezed at (sorry we had to), including the consequences of allergic rhinitis being un/undertreated The recommended method to use intranasal sprays - hint "if you can taste it, you're wasting it" How to discuss concerns patients might have about intranasal corticosteroids The long list of potential triggers
PPP 178 - Anticoagulation Stewardship with Hadley Bortz and Julianne Chong
Listen in to round out our conversation about anticoagulation, by hearing from two Anticoagulation Stewardship Pharmacists - Hadley Bortz from the Alfred in Melbourne and Julianne Chong from Concord Hospital. Find out more about ACS programs in Australia and overseas and the benefits that these programs can bring to your health service. Anticoagulant patient care plan Anticoagulation Forum Advanc
PPP 177 - Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation with Prof Prash Sanders and Jarrah Anderson
Join us as we talk with Prof Prash Sanders about the role of anticoagulation for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), learn when patients should be screened for AF, how to perform a stroke risk assessment and strategies to reduce the risk of bleeding. This podcast is in collaboration with Medcast and the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance, a provider of health professional education in Australi
PPP 176 - Opiate Emergencies with Emily Turkovic
Naloxone has been available in Australia without prescription since 2022 (after pilot programs through 2019-2021, analysis showed this trial saved 3 lives per day). Join us as Kristin and Nat talk naloxone with Pharmacist Emily Turkovic. Emily shares her personal story and why she is passionate about ensuring that naloxone is widely available in our community. Listen in for tips and tricks on how
PPP 175 - Travel Health with Dr Ian Heslop
Listen in as Kristin chats with Dr Ian Heslop about the health care needs of travellers, covering topics such as traveller's diarrhoea, altitude sickness and more. Listen until the end to find out what Ian brings in his travel medicine kit! Ian is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle and has a strong background in Hospital Pharmacy and in academia. He was involved in the
PPP 174 - Intellectual Disability with Chelsea Felkai
Listen in to our latest episode as Kristin chats with Chelsea Felkai about being a healthcare provider for patients with intellectual disability. Chelsea is a community pharmacist who is completing her PhD at the University of Newcastle. You can find resources relating to the provision of inclusive healthcare and the NSQHS Standards User Guide for the Health Care of People with Intellectual Disab
PPP 173 - Acne with A/Prof Deshan Sebaratnam
Join Natalie as she chats with Dermatologist A/Prof Deshan Sebaratnam about the management of acne. Listen in as they chat about over the counter treatment options, what may have changed in acne management and the effectiveness of isotretenoin. A/Prof Sebaratnam, in addition to his private practice, as a specialist dermatologist at Liverpool and Dubbo Base Hospitals in NSW.
PPP 172 - Tuberculosis (TB) with Dr Sayontonee Ghosh
Tune in as Dr Sayontonee Ghosh gives an overview of TB including: Transmission Diagnosis Screening Symptoms Treatment options
PPP 171 - Proton Pump Inhibitors with Dr Kostas Brooks
Did you know that PPIs are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in Australia according to PBS data? Join Kristin for a deep dive into proton pump inhibitors as she chats with Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist and Gastrointestinal endoscopist, Dr Kostas Brooks. What dose PPIs should patients actually be taking? How do you manage rebound symptoms? Listen in to find out.
PPP 170 - Emerging Treatments for Fungal Infections with Dr Gaurav Sutrave
Join Kristin as she chats with Dr Gaurav Sutrave to chat about emergening treatments for fungal infections. Gaurav is a Staff Specialist Haematologist and Transplant and Cell Therapies Physician at Westmead Hospital, as well as the Medical Director for the Westmead T cell Therapies Laboratory.
PPP 169 - The Rural Pharmacist with Shaylee Mills
Join Kristin and Nat as they chat with Shaylee Mills, The Rural Pharmacist. Shaylee works in the beautiful Pilbara region of WA - google it - the scenery is spectacular! Although it is at least 17 hours drive from the nearest capital city (Perth) - Karratha is far from a small town and is home to around 22000 people. Shaylee shares what her world as a pharmacist looks like and some of the benefits
PPP168 - Public Health with Jeremy McAnulty
Check out our latest episode as Kristin and Nat chat with Dr Jeremy McAnulty about the work undertaken by Public Health Units. If you are from NSW, you may remember Dr McAnulty from the daily televised COVID updates - Dr Jeremy McAnulty is a public health physician and Executive Director of Health Protection NSW at NSW Health, overseeing the statewide public health aspects of communicable disease
PPP167 - Meningococcal B with Dr Anita Campbell
Join Kristin for a deep dive into meningococcal disease with Dr Anita Campbell. Learn more about the various strains of meningococcal and their prevalence patterns in Australia and how that might impact the way we think about vaccination for meningococcal, using Men B as an example. Dr Anita Campbell is a clinician researcher working as a paediatric infectious disease specialist and medical lead
PPP166 - Special Episode - World Pharmacist Day - Pharmacist Wellbeing with Dr Karlee Johnston
Join us for a very special World Pharmacist Day edition of the Purple Pen Podcast. Recorded live during pharmacy wellbeing week at Monash Health, Nat & Kristin reconnect with Jane Booth and Karlee Johnston to talk about Pharmacist Wellbeing. We explore the concepts of empathy, vulnerability, burnout and restorative supervision. Our guest, Dr Karlee Johnston, is a clinical pharmacist with extensi
PPP165 - Fever with A/Prof Rebekah Moles
Join Kristin as she chats with Rebekah Moles about fever. Rebekah is an Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice at the University of Sydney and she is passionate about quality use of medicines in paediatric patients. She has conducted research on the management of common ailments such as fever and cough/cold in young patients.
PPP 164 - Gout with Dr David Liew
Join us as we talk with Dr David Liew about the underappreciated condition of gout, dispel some myths and talk about what's changed in recommendations. This podcast is in collaboration with Medcast and the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance, a provider of health professional education in Australia focused on the quality use of medicines. Check out their resources here. Arthritis Australia have fu
PPP 163 - Monoclonal Antibodies with Prof Sanjay Swaminathan
Kristin is joined by Professor Sanjay Swaminathan to talk all things MABs or monoclonal antibodies. Dr Sanjay Swaminathan is a Clinical Immunologist and Allergist, he is a Senior Staff Specialist and Head of the Department of Immunology and Allergy at Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals.
PPP 162 - Impetigo (School Sores) with Prof Asha Bowen
Prof Asha Bowen is back to discuss Impetigo (also known as school sores), an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. Observational studies over four decades in northern Australia have found that Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in remote communities have the highest burden of impetigo worldwide. Prof Asha Bowen is a paediatric infectious disease specialist and cli
PPP 161 - Respiratory Syncytial Virus with Prof Asha Bowen
RSV season is upon us, and there are a number of new exciting developments in the prevention of RSV to discuss! Listen in, as Prof Asha Bowen chats to Kristin and Natalie about the newest innovations in RSV immunisation and vaccination. Prof Asha Bowen is a paediatric infectious disease specialist and clinician-researcher at Perth Children's Hospital and Telethon Kids Institute. She is Head of De
PPP 160 - Social and Cultural Considerations in Antimicrobial Use with A/Prof Esmita Charani
Join Kristin as she chats with A/Prof Esmita Charani, PhD, MSc, MPharm, MRPSGB, about the way clinicians think and feel about antibiotic use, and in particular how these beliefs can impact their response to various antimicrobial stewardship interventions. Esmita also shares her research journey into broader human rights issues including bias and imbalance in low and middle income countries. Esmi
PPP 159 - Deprescribing psychotropics with Dr Mark Horowitz
Join Kristin as she talks with Dr Mark Horowitz about how to deprescribe psychotropics like antidepressants, what is known about the causes of depression, what evidence is behind the antidepressants commonly used, what the symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal look like and the origins of the phrase "it's Bedlam here." The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabape
PPP 158 - Psoriasis with Associate Professor Deshan Sebaratnam
Have a listen as Kristin talks to Associate Professor Deshan Sebaratnam about psoriasis. Who does it typically affect, how is it managed and there can be a lot more to psoriasis than meets the eye.
PPP 157 - Tinnitus with Pia Nairn
Tune in as Kristin chats to Pia Nairn, Clinical Audiologist at Lions Hearing Clinic to discuss Tinnitus, general advice for looking after your hearing and what to expect in a hearing assessment
PPP156 - Cholesterol Update with Adam Livori
Check out a bumper episode of the Purple Pen Podcast with Specialist Cardiac Pharmacist and PhD candidate Adam Livori as well discuss what in, and definitely what's out when it comes to cholesterol management. Adam is the Lead Pharmacist - Medical Specialties and Ambulatory Care at Grampians Health Services in Victoria and is the current Chair of the SHPA Cardiology Specialty Practice Leadership
PPP 155 - Cardiovascular Disease Risk with Natalie Raffoul
Join us as Kristin talks to Natalie Raffoul (a pharmacist who now works at the Heart Foundation) to discuss the new Aus CVD Risk calculator and associated guideline. They also talk about the highlights of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Amsterdam this year. https://www.cvdcheck.org.au/overview https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-age-calculator
PPP 154 - Haemachromatosis with Dr Ian Bilmon
Natalie is joined by Dr Ian Bilmon, a senior consultant Haematologist working at Westmead Hospital and Sydney Adventist Hospital to do a deep dive into haemochromatosis. They cover: What is heriditary haemochromatosis or iron overload? How is haemochromatosis managed? What other conditions are patients with haemochromatosis at risk of? Who else is at risk of iron overload and how is it man
PPP 153 - Human papillomavirus (HPV) with Dr Terri Foran
Kristin spoke with Dr Terri Foran to discuss Human papillomavirus (HPV). We covered: the HPV vaccine genital warts cervical cancer changes to National Cervical Screening Program (pap smears)
PPP 152 - International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress 2023 Wrap Up
Kristin and Nat were at the 81st FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences this week in Brisbane. They caught up with Professor Parisa Aslani, Paul Sinclair AM, Anna Packer, Dr Sami Isaac, Aagam Bordia, Dr Kaitlyn Watson, Dr Michael Stepanovic and Dr Stephen Eckel. Have a listen for a taste of what the congress had to offer. Link to the Basel Statements - https://www.fip.org/bas
PPP151 - Special Edition: World Pharmacist Day 2023
Happy World Pharmacist Day 2023! Kristin and Natalie are joined by Tom Simpson, Executive Director - Statewide Hospital Pharmacy, Tasmania and President of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) to discuss opportunities for Australian pharmacists in 2023 and beyond.
PPP 150 - Metformin Myths with Karl Winckel
Celebrating our 150th episode with pharmacist Karl Winckel from Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, as Kristin and Nat ask Karl to dispel some myths about metformin. Resources related to this episode: Risk of fatal and nonfatal lactic acidosis with metformin use in type 2 diabetes mellitus (Review) Hospitalization for Lactic Acidosis Among Patients With Reduced Kidney Function Treated With
PPP 149 - Podiatrist Prescribing with Dr Kristin Graham and Saraid Martin
Check out our latest episode as Natalie speaks with Dr Kristin Graham and Saraid Martin, both endorsed prescribing podiatrists, practicing in South Australia. Make sure you listen until the end to get some valuable tips about how to protect your feet at work!
PPP 148 - Stroke with Prof Stephen Davis and Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO
Prof Stephen Davis and Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO chat about the different types of strokes and how they are managed; the practice points of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and secondary prevention stroke. We also discuss emerging technology with lightweight brain scanners and stroke smart ambulances.
PPP147 - Rural Health with Dr Dan Wilson
Kristin and Natalie chat with Dr Daniel Wilson, rural GP and president of the Rural Doctors Association of Victoria about what it is like to work as a healthcare professional in rural Australia.
PPP146 - Constipation with Dr Kostas Brooks
Did you know people with constipation have a higher all cause mortality than those with normal bowel function? Join Natalie and Kristin as they get bogged down in the details of how to treat and manage constipation with Sydney based Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist and Gastrointestinal endoscopist, Dr Kostas Brooks.
PPP145 - Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)
Kristin is joined by Dr Timothy Matthews, to discuss Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL). Dr Matthews is an Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon with additional fellowship training in Otology and Neurotology (ear surgery/diseases). He has a special interest in minimally invasive endoscopic ear surgery and hearing implants (including cochlear implantation).
PPP144 - Australian Pharmacy Students' Journal Showcase
Join Kristin in a showcase of the Australian Pharmacy Students' Journal, as they celebrate their first year in publication. Speakers include: Elissar Mansour, Co-editor in Chief of the Australian Pharmacy Students' Journal (APSJ) Elishka Juricka, Co-editor in Chief of the Australian Pharmacy Students' Journal (APSJ) Maria Siskamanis, Clinical Pharmacist at Royal Darwin Hospital Alanah Wilson, Inte
Women and Heart Disease with A/Prof Monique Watts
In a special International Women's Day episode Kristin spoke to A/Prof Monique Watts, a cardiologist with special interest in women and heart health. Heart disease kills more than two times as many Australian women than breast cancer.
PPP142 - Herpes Simplex Virus
Listen in as Kristin speaks to Dr Melanie Bissessor from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre with an update on HSV.
PPP141 - Sleep Apnoea
Join Kristin as she speaks to Dr Colin Tuft, Advanced Trainee in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital about all things sleep apnoea.
PPP140 - Herpes Zoster (Shingles) with Dr Emma Goeman and Dr Jean Li-Kim-Moy
Kristin is joined by Dr Emma Goeman and Dr Jean Li-Kim-Moy to discuss the ins and outs of herpes zoster (more commonly known as shingles).
PPP139 - Rheumatic Fever with Dr Jerry Abraham Alex
Kristin is joined by Dr Jerry Abraham Alex - a medical registrar from Western Australia. They take an indepth look at Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease.
PPP138 - Analgesic Stewardship with Thuy Bui
Kristin is joined by Thuy Bui, Lead Pharmacist - Analgesic Stewardship (AGS) & Perioperative Services at Alfred Health in Victoria to discuss the role of analgesic stewardship. In their discussion they address the importance of appropriate acute pain management, some of the clinical considerations for analgesic choice and the role of the perioperative pharmacist. Note: this episode discusses the
PPP137 - Monkeypox with Ivette Aguirre and Dr Melanie Bissessor
Kristin catches up with Ivette Aguirre and Dr Melanie Bissessor from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, to discuss monkeypox. We talk about vaccination, treatment as well as symptoms, screening and diagnosis.
PPP136 - Type II Diabetes
Kristin is joined by Dr Priya Sumithran, Endocrinologist and Clinician Researcher, to talk about treatment options for the management of type II diabetes. Priya leads the Obesity Research Group at the University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine (St Vincent's) and is Head of Obesity Medicine at Austin Health. *Note Wegovy (semaglutide) was not registered in Australia at the time of recording
Clover the Chloroformist
We are joined by anaesthetist A/Prof Christine Ball to discuss her book, The Chloroformist, and more...
Culturally Capable Pharmacists with Bronwyn Clark and A/Prof Faye McMillan
Kristin speaks to Bronwyn Clark and A/Prof Faye McMillan about how to practice pharmacy in a culturally safe way. We also hear about the Australian Pharmacy Council's Leaders in Indigenous Pharmacy Profession Education (LIPPE) Network.
PPP133 - Sepsis Clinical Care Standard
Kristin is joined by Prof Jason Roberts and Dr Carolyn Hullick to discuss the release of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's new Clinical Care Standard in sepsis - which launches today! Jason will be well known to listeners as a pharmacist from University of Queensland and Metro North. Carolyn is a Clinical Director at the Commission and the Chair of the Sepsis Clinica
PPP132 - Toxicology with Naren Gunja
Kristin and Dan are joined by Associate Professor Naren Gunja - a clinical and forensic toxicologist from Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney. We discuss Naren's "top 5 issues" in toxicology - covering a wide range of topics including paracetamol, methylene blue, benzodiazepines and more.
PPP131 - Interstitial Lung Disease with Assoc Prof Nicole Goh
Kristin is joined by Associate Professor Nicole Goh to talk Interstitial Lung Disease. Nicole is a respiratory and sleep physician at the Alfred and Austin Hospitals in Melbourne.
PPP130 - Bipolar Disorder with Professor Ian Hickie
We are joined by Professor Ian Hickie, a Professor of Psychiatry and Co-Director of Health and Policy at the Brain Mind Centre. He last spoke to the podcast on treatment resistance depression. This time we discuss the challenges of bipolar disorder diagnosis, risk factors and the therapeutics used in treatment, especially the Australian wonder drug Lithium.
PPP130 - Bipolar Disorder with Professor Ian Hickie
We are joined by Professor Ian Hickie, a Professor of Psychiatry and Co-Director of Health and Policy at the Brain Mind Centre. He last spoke to the podcast on treatment resistance depression. This time we discuss the challenges of bipolar disorder diagnosis, risk factors and the therapeutics used in treatment, especially the Australian wonder drug Lithium.
PPP129 - Asthma Update with Dr Emma Gray
Kristin chats to Dr Emma Gray, consultant respiratory physician and visiting medical officer at Royal Prince Alfred. She is also a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney. There have been some big changes in asthma management in recent years, and Emma talks us through the key points.
PPP128 - Oral Cancers with Leanne Teoh and Sophie Beaumont
Kristin caught up with Leanne Teoh, a pharmacist, dentist and research fellow from the University of Melbourne and Sophie Beaumont, head of Dental Oncology at the Peter Mac to discuss all things oral cancer. We learn about diagnosis, presentation, vaccination and red flags - as well as the critical value of saliva! Sophie recommends the Oral cancer hub as a great learning resource: https://www.ora
PPP127 - COVID19 in Kids with Dr Brendan McMullan
We're back for 2022 and now that's school is in session we spoke to Prof Brendan McMullan about COVID19 in children. We discussed what COVID19 is like for kids, vaccination, current treatments and transmission.
PPP126 - Treatment Resistant Depression with Prof Ian Hickie
In our last episode for 2021, Kristin chats with Professor Ian Hickie, co-Director of the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney. We chat about treatment-resistant depression and learn all about the "happy accident'" of esketamine.
Age-related macular degeneration
Dan is joined by Professor Robyn Guymer AM from the Centre for Eye Research in Australia to discuss Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
PPP124 : ADHD with Prof Dave Coghill
We're back! And Dan is joined by Professor Dave Coghill, a Child Psychiatrist and Chair of Developmental Mental Health at the University of Melbourne. We discuss ADHD - an overview of its epidemiology and diagnosis, as well as existing and emerging treatments.
PPP123 - Hyperbaric Medicine with Conjoint Professor Michael Bennett AM
Kristin caught up with Conjoint Professor Michael Bennett AM (Academic Head, Wales Anaesthesia and Dept. Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Prince of Wales Clinical School) to discuss Hyperbaric Medicine. It is used to treat decompression illness, carbon monoxide poisoning, necrotising infections, soft tissue & bony radiation injury and chronic non healing wounds.
PPP122 - Infections in Pregnancy with Dr Nisha Khot
Dan and Jane caught up with our friend Dr Nisha Khot, who is the Clinical Director of Obstetrics at Djerriwarrh Health Service in Victoria. We discuss the screening, management and impact of a wide variety of infections in pregnancy, including CMV, syphilis, COVID-19 and GBA. We briefly discuss listeria, to Nisha's chagrin. You should definitely follow Nisha on twitter
PPP121 - Clinical Microbiology with Dr Indy Sandaradura
In a bumper episode, Kristin talks with ID physician and clinical microbiologist with Westmead Hospital and the Institute Of Clinical Pathology And Medical Research (ICPMR) Dr Indy Sandaradura. They discuss all things clinical microbiology, from how tests are run to how microbiologists decide what to report, in terms of sensitivities and positive results. Indy helps us understand why we still do G
PPP120 - Orbital and Periorbital Cellulitis with Dr David Woo
Kristin caught up with Dr David Woo, an Ophthalmic and Oculoplastics surgeon from the Sight Foundation at the Sydney Eye Hospital and the Sydney CBD eye clinic. We chat about orbital and periorbital cellulitis and other serious eye infections - including the red flags that differentiate these from common eye infections. To find out more about Dr David, visit his website
PPP119 - Epilepsy with Prof Sam Berkovic
Kristin was joined by Prof Sam Berkovic, Laureate Professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, and Director of the Epilepsy Research Centre at Austin Health. They discuss the diagnosis, treatment and management of epilepsy, including emerging therapies. Visit Prof Berkovic's University profile or the Epilepsy Research Centre's website for a list of his research.
PPP118: Psycho-existential symptoms in Palliative Care
Kristin chats to Professor David Kissane about psycho-existential symptoms in Palliative Care. David is a consultant psychiatrist in psycho-oncology and palliative care at Monash Health and the Department of Psychiatry at Monash University. We talk about: the current state of palliative care in Australia why patients are are often scared of commencing palliative care Differences in palliativ
Oral Health
Today we talk all things oral health with Mark Schifter with a particular focus on Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and antibiotic use in dentistry
PPP116 - Dementia with Prof Simon Lewis
We welcome back Simon Lewis, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, who talks to Kristin about dementia. They discuss the multiple types of dementia, as well as established and new treatment options. You can learn more about Prof Lewis and his research at his website
PPP115 - Pharmacists, burnout and COVID with Karlee Johnston
Jane talks to Karlee Johnston, a pharmacist and PhD candidate at the Australian National University in Canberra. We talk about Karlee's recently published paper: Burnout and the challenges facing pharmacists during COVID‑19: results of a national survey (International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-021-01268-5) Keep an eye out for the repeat survey through our social
PPP114 - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Dr Eli Dabscheck and Dr Johnson George
Kristin spoke with Dr Eli Dabscheck and Dr Johnson George about all things Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) including: Risk factors Management Exacerbations of COPD and the issues around the appropriate use of antimicrobials in this situation The Therapeutic Guidelines and COPD-X Guideline recommendations Asthma and COPD overlap The benefits of medication reviews and COPD action pl
