Red Whale Primary Care Pod

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Would you spot acute aortic syndrome hiding among the everyday presentations of chest, back or abdominal pain, and do you know when a nosebleed is more than “just a nosebleed”? 
This episode unpacks the clues to a rare but life-threatening aortic emergency, before giving you a practical refresher on acute and recurrent epistaxis, from first aid and anterior versus posterior bleeds to important red flags. 
Essential listening for any primary care clinician who wants to feel calmer, sharper and more prepared when the clinical picture does not quite add up.
Useful Links
ENT UK – nosebleeds (epistaxis) (patient information leaflet)
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

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Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.

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This episode tackles one of the most difficult consultations we face in primary care: supporting someone who may be thinking about suicide. 
Nik and Lee explore how to ask clear, compassionate questions; understand thoughts, plans and intent without relying on tick-box risk scores; and respond with safety planning, appropriate referral and proactive follow-up. 
Using A Man Called Otto to illuminate the person behind the presentation, they also consider how risk and protective factors can change, the value of asking “How are you, really?”, and the emotional impact of suicide on clinicians. 
Press play for a practical conversation designed to help you feel more confident when your words, curiosity and willingness to listen really matter.
Useful Links
Useful resources for professionals:
RCPsych - If a patient dies by suicide: a resource for mental health professionals
NHS Practitioner Health
Useful resources for patients:
Samaritans (24h confidential helpline. Tel: 116 123. Email: jo@samaritans.org) 
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) (an organisation dedicated to preventing male suicide. Tel: 0800 58 58 58) 
Staying Safe from suicidal thoughts (printable electronic safety plan template)
distrACT (information and advice on how to manage difficult feelings, cope with a crisis and find help and support when you need it most)
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

Follow us:  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.

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Adverse childhood experiences do not stay in childhood. They can echo through physical health, mental wellbeing, health behaviours and the way people engage with care. 
This episode explores the landmark ACE research, what it can teach us about complex and recurrent presentations, and how a trauma-informed approach can make consultations feel safer, more respectful and more effective. 
Press play for a compassionate, practical conversation that may change how you see the patient who keeps coming back but never quite seems to get better.
Useful Links
Public Health Wales: adverse childhood experiences (Vimeo)
Explores ACEs and their impact across the life course from the point of view of one family. This is compelling viewing and would be a great addition to safeguarding training for your practice team
TED Talks: How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

Follow us:  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.

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“Can you just have a look at this mole?” and “I can’t take penicillin” are familiar phrases in primary care, but both can lead to difficult decisions. 
In this episode, we explore how to recognise suspicious, unusual and easily missed melanomas, including which risk factors and examination clues matter most, before tackling the difference between a true penicillin allergy and a troublesome side-effect. 
With practical pointers on referral, safety-netting and clearer allergy documentation, this is an episode to help you approach two common clinical uncertainties with greater confidence.
Useful Links
Websites describing appearances of lesions in different skin types:
BAD Skin Health Info - skin of colour
Dermnet NZ - skin conditions in skin of colour
Nottingham Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology - skin of colour
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

Follow us:  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.

Send us a text
Not every consultation about periods or pregnancy comes with a straightforward answer. Join Nik and Lucy as they unpack reproductive health in inflammatory bowel disease, including contraception, medication reviews, pregnancy and breastfeeding, before tackling the questions that often make adolescent menstrual consultations tricky: what is normal, what needs investigating, which treatments can be offered and when to refer. A practical episode packed with useful pointers for the next time you are in your consulting room.
Useful Links
The Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy website (BUMPS)
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

Follow us:  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.