In this episode of The Good GP, host Dr Sean Stevens speaks with Professor Nick Zwar, Chair of the RACGP Travel Medicine Specific Interest Group, to discuss the state of travel medicine in Australia post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor Zwar outlines how the pandemic led to a sudden halt in international travel and impacted travel medicine practice. Many have adapted by shifting their focus back to general practice, advising patients stranded overseas, and planning for a resumption of travel. He also notes the practical implications, such as unused vaccine stock and the adoption of telehealth.

Also discussing the resumption of international travel, with Australians returning to pre-pandemic travel levels, including higher-risk activities like cruise ship travel. They observe that despite the risks of infectious diseases, most patients are eager to travel and may not be as concerned about COVID-19 as practitioners might expect.

Looking ahead, Professor Zwar identifies several challenges in travel medicine. These include changing patterns of infectious diseases (notably respiratory infections, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and measles), emerging threats like monkeypox (Mpox), and the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance affecting management of traveler's diarrhoea. He also highlights the complexity of advising immunocompromised travellers, particularly those on biological therapies.

The Good GP Podcast is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network

If you have any questions or would like to contact The Good GP, send an email to thegoodgp@gmail.com. Visit www.thegoodgp.com.au for previous episodes and more information. You can also find us on our instagram page: @thegoodgppodcast. Follow us for more updates!

In this episode of The Good GP, Dr Krystyna de Lange is joined by Anisa Vanesteh, a clinical sexologist, psychotherapist, and former president of the Society of Australian Sexologists, to discuss the topic of female sexual dysfunction and its management in general practice.

Anisa Vanesteh provides a thorough overview of the multifaceted nature of female sexual dysfunction, emphasising the complex interplay between biological, psychological, relational, and social factors. Highlighting the impact of chronic stress, nervous system overload, and the relational context on sexual function. Psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and body image concerns are explored, as well as the influence of cultural myths and social conditioning on female sexuality across the lifespan.

Anisa identifies everyday factors influencing desire and arousal, including sleep deprivation, mental load, lack of pleasure outside of sex, unresolved grief, and body image issues. She shares practical strategies for GPs when supporting patients, such as normalising fluctuations in desire, exploring the biopsychosocial context, shifting the focus towards pleasure and connection, and promoting nervous system regulation. Early referral to sexologists or related professionals is suggested, as is the value of providing patients with language and frameworks to have open conversations with their partners.

The episode concludes with strategies for empowering patients to discuss their sexual wellbeing without shame or guilt and the benefits of reframing intimacy outside the goal of intercourse.

Potential questions to use in assessment of sexual function:

1. What is the concern, and what does it mean to the patient?
2. Is there distress around it?
3. How long has it been present?
4. What is the impact on their life or relationship?
5. In what contexts is it not present?
6. Have they sought help before?
7. How is their general health and mental wellbeing?
8. How do they feel in their relationship?
9. Why is this a concern now?

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The Good GP Podcast is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network

If you have any questions or would like to contact The Good GP, send an email to thegoodgp@gmail.com. Visit www.thegoodgp.com.au for previous episodes and more information. You can also find us on our instagram page: @thegoodgppodcast. Follow us for more updates

In this episode of This Could Save Your Life Podcast, hosts Dr Catherine Bourke and Dr Anna Mullins provide an overview of preconception care, and the key considerations for GPs when supporting patients who are planning a pregnancy.

Key discussion points include:

1. Initial Assessment: Consider age, reproductive history, and duration of attempts to conceive. Referral for fertility investigation recommended for women over 35 trying for 6 months, or any age trying for 12 months, or women aged 40+.
2. Review of Medical History: Assess chronic conditions: diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, epilepsy (and medication management), thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and asthma.
3. Medication Management: Identify and remove teratogenic medications prior to conception (e.g., isotretinoin, some weight loss medications). Recognise medications that are safe/necessary during pregnancy (such as inhalers for asthma).
4. Dietary Advice: Encourage a balanced diet rich in vegetables, lean meats, fruits, grains, nuts, and dairy; minimise processed foods.
5. Alcohol Consumption: Advise abstinence from alcohol in the period of actively trying to conceive and during early pregnancy.
6. Lifestyle Modification: Smoking cessation strongly recommended for both partners to improve fertility and prevent harm to the fetus and child.
7. Pre-Pregnancy Investigations: Which include routine tests: full blood count, iron studies, electrolytes, liver and kidney function. Check immunity to rubella and varicella; advise vaccination if necessary before pregnancy.
8. Consultation Advice: Recommending dedicated, extended preconception consultations to address medical, lifestyle, and individual patient factors.

Links & Resources:

1. For information about listeria is: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/food-poisoning-listeria
2. For information about fragile x: https://www.cdc.gov/fragile-x-syndrome/index.html

This Could Save Your Life Podcast is under The Good GP podcast, a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network

If you have any questions or would like to contact The Good GP, send an email to thegoodgp@gmail.com. Visit www.thegoodgp.com.au for previous episodes and more information. You can also find us on our instagram page: @thegoodgppodcast. Follow us for more updates!