GPnotebook Podcast
Episodes
Ep 188 – Pityriasis versicolor
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pityriasis versicolor is a fungal condition caused by overgrowth of Malassezia – a yeast that is commonly found on the skin in most people. In this ...
Ep 187 – Quiz of the year 2025
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa, Dr Kate Chesterman and Dr Roger Henderson invite you to join them for the annual GPnotebook quiz. The GPnotebook educ...
Ep 186 – Olecranon bursitis
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Olecranon bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa overlying the olecranon process, presenting as localised, fluctuating posterior elbow swelling tha...
Ep 185 – Lung cancer
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and is classified into two main types: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which ac...
Ep 184 – Parvovirus B19
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Parvovirus B19 (slapped cheek syndrome) is a common and usually mild, self-limiting viral illness. Certain populations, such as pregnant women and the...
Ep 183 – Post-traumatic stress disorder
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop (either immediately or delayed) following exposure to a stressful event or situation of an exception...
Ep 182 – Melanoma
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melanoma is among the most common forms of cancer – and causes of cancer-related death – among young adults. Its prevalence in this group has been...
Ep 181 – Management of hyperkalaemia in primary care
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa and Dr Will Hinchliffe (Consultant in Renal and General Medicine working in the north-east and north Cumbria) discuss ...
Ep 180 – Rethinking HIV: reducing HIV-related stigma
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this final episode of a four-part series on HIV and primary care, Dr James Waldron is joined again by Dr Grace Bottoni (HIV and Hepatitis C GP Cham...
Ep 179 – Paraesthesia
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paraesthesia is an indication of an abnormality that impacts the sensory pathways at any point from the peripheral sensory nervous system right up to ...
Ep 178 – Tremor
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A tremor is defined as an involuntary rhythmic oscillation of one or more body parts, mediated by alternating contractions of reciprocally acting musc...
Ep 177 – Postnasal drip
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Postnasal drip is a condition where excess mucus from the nose and sinuses accumulates and flows down the back of the throat. This can lead to symptom...
Ep 176 – Lower urinary tract symptoms in men
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are storage, voiding and post-micturition symptoms affecting the lower urinary tract. LUTS can significantly reduc...
Ep 175 – Scabies
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Scabies is a condition that can cause significant distress due to the intense itching associated with the condition and concerns about social stigma. ...
Ep 174 – Acute cholecystitis
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Acute cholecystitis is often seen in primary care patients and is a major complication of cholelithiasis. Symptomatic gallstones occur in up to 10% of...
Ep 173 – Abdominal aortic aneurysm
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are potentially life-threatening and have a poor prognosis if ruptured. Arterial aneurysms are defined as a permanen...
Ep 172 – Keloid scars
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keloid scars are a form of abnormal scarring that occur in susceptible individuals and often appear to be more common in darker skin types. Often obse...
Ep 171 – Rethinking HIV: prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if one of the most misunderstood diagnoses of the past is now one of the most manageable chronic conditions? How can GPs play a pivotal role in t...
Ep 170 – Aortic stenosis
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aortic stenosis (AS) is an obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta due to narrowing at the level of the aortic valve. In Euro...
Ep 169 – Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome)
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shin splints are a common type of leg pain caused by repetitive stress on the bones and muscles in the lower leg, particularly around the tibia. The...
Ep 168 – Ectopic pregnancy
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the UK, ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed in approximately 11 out of every 1,000 pregnancies and typically presents 6–8 weeks after the last normal ...
Ep 167 – Acute pancreatitis
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas, most commonly caused by bile stones or excessive use of alcohol. It is one of the mos...
Ep 166 – Hand–arm vibration syndrome
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hand–arm vibration syndrome is a chronic, progressive disorder of the upper limbs resulting from prolonged exposure to vibration. It encompasses vas...
Ep 165 – Chronic kidney disease among adults in primary care: management
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the second part of a two-episode series on chronic kidney disease (CKD), Dr Hannah Rosa is joined again by Dr Will Hinchliffe, a Consultant in Rena...
Ep 164 – Cauda equina syndrome
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is caused by compression of the lumbosacral nerve roots that extend below the spinal cord. The most common cause is disc p...
Ep 163 – Chronic kidney disease among adults in primary care: testing, diagnosis and referral
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first of a two-episode series on chronic kidney disease (CKD), Dr Hannah Rosa is joined by Dr Will Hinchliffe, a Consultant in Renal and Genera...
Ep 162 – Ankylosing spondylitis
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that predominantly targets the axial skeleton, especially the spine an...
Ep 161– Post-herpetic neuralgia
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication following an episode of shingles and can affect up to one in five people. Pain is typica...
Ep 160 – Rethinking HIV: dealing with a positive test result
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if one of the most misunderstood diagnoses of the past is now one of the most manageable chronic conditions? How can GPs play a pivotal role in t...
Ep 159 – Baker’s cyst
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Baker’s cysts commonly present in primary care. In this episode, Dr Kate Chesterman discusses the pathophysiology, underlying aetiology and manageme...
Ep 158 – Rotator cuff tears
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A rotator cuff injury is an event that causes pain in the shoulder. This can be due to a tear, inflammation or narrowing of the space within the shoul...
Ep 157 – Ganglion cysts
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ganglion cysts, also sometimes referred to as synovial cysts, are the most common benign soft-tissue masses of the hand and wrist. These cysts arise f...
Ep 156 – Carpal tunnel syndrome
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy, primarily affecting the median nerve at the level of the wrist. The condition r...
Ep 155 – Temporal arteritis
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is an inflammatory condition that affects the large- and medium-sized arteries, primarily thos...
Ep 154 – Febrile seizures
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Febrile seizures are common in the first 5Â years of life, and many factors that increase the risk of such seizures occurring have been identified. In...
Ep 153 – Asthma treatment, monitoring and self-management: what's changed in the 2024 BTS, NICE and SIGN guideline?
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa continues looking at the new asthma guideline from the British Thoracic Society (BTS), NICE and SIGN, which was publis...
Ep 152 – Rethinking HIV: from testing to transformation
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if one of the most misunderstood diagnoses of the past is now one of the most manageable chronic conditions? How can GPs play a pivotal role in t...
Ep 151 – Dupuytren’s disease
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dupuytren’s disease is a chronic, progressive condition that primarily affects the palmar and digital fascia of the hand. Over time, fibrous cords f...
Ep 150 – Roseola
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Roseola infantum is a viral infection primarily affecting infants and young children, most commonly between the ages of 6 and 12 months. It accounts f...
Ep 149 – Raynaud’s phenomenon
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Raynaud's phenomenon is a relatively common condition seen in primary care (especially during the autumn and winter months) that is characterised by v...
Ep 148 – Sickle cell disease
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sickle cell anaemia is a disease of red blood cells, caused by an autosomal recessive single gene defect in the beta-chain of haemoglobin, which resul...
Ep 147 – Paronychia
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paronychia is a common condition affecting the proximal and lateral nail folds of the hands or feet. In this episode, Dr Kate Chesterman discusses the...
Ep 146 – Asthma diagnosis and treatment: what's changed in the 2024 BTS, NICE and SIGN guideline?
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa discusses the new asthma guideline from the British Thoracic Society (BTS), NICE and SIGN, which was published in 2024...
Ep 145 – Gambling-related harms
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Around 0.5% of the adult population in England experience problems gambling, 3.8% are at elevated risk of gambling harms and an estimated 7% are negat...
Ep 144 – Osteoporosis: key learnings from the NOGG 2024 clinical guideline
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) clinical guideline for osteoporosis was updated in December 2024. In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa sha...
Ep 143 – Irritable bowel syndrome
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition characterised by abdominal pain associated with bowel dysfunction and is one of the most common ...
Ep 142 – Colorectal cancer
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common malignancy in the UK and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It refers to malignancies that ar...
Ep 141 – Hidradenitis suppurativa
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that typically affects areas of pilosebaceous gland-containing skin. In HS, patient...
Ep 140 – Seasonal affective disorder
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, most commonly during the autumn and winter months...
Ep 139 – Identification and treatment of perinatal mental health problems
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Perinatal mental health (PNMH) problems affect one in five women and one in ten men. They can present in several ways, including depression and anxiet...
Ep 138 – Morton's neuroma
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Morton’s neuroma is a common condition that results in forefoot pain. It is a condition that can often be diagnosed in primary care and managed with...
Ep 137 – Beyond baby blues: supporting mental health in parents and partners
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 6–8-week postnatal check is a chance to better support mental health in new parents. In this second episode in a series on perinatal mental heal...
Ep 136 – Quiz of the year 2024
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa invites you to join her in the first ever GPnotebook quiz of the year. The GPnotebook education team have been reflect...
Ep 135 – Tinnitus
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tinnitus can be frustrating for both patients and clinicians as there is some misinformation and misunderstanding about its aetiology and treatment op...
Ep 134 – Prostate cancer
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One in six UK males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. In the UK prostate cancer is the most common male cancer, with over 55,0...
133 – Syphilis
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Known for its varied symptoms and potential to progress throu...
Ep 132 – Young people and alcohol
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa reflects upon the changing relationship between young people and alcohol. She examines the latest statistics before di...
Ep 131 – Perinatal mental health: awareness, risks and impacts
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Perinatal mental health (PNMH) issues refer to the period from the point of conception to a child’s first birthday. It encompasses several different...
Ep 130 – Croup
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Croup is a respiratory condition typically affecting children, characterised by a distinctive barking cough, hoarseness and difficulty breathing. Caus...
Ep 129 – Acute appendicitis
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Acute appendicitis is a medical emergency characterised by the sudden onset of inflammation in the appendix. As one of the leading causes of abdominal...
Ep 128 – Mastalgia (breast pain)
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Breast pain affects around 70% of women at some point in their lives and is a common reason for referral to breast clinics. It is often a cause of anx...
Ep 127 – Fibromyalgia
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterised by chronic widespread pain together with multiple muscular tender points or associated fatigue, sleep distur...
Ep 126 – Are we doing enough chest X-rays in primary care?
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa reflects upon the poor lung cancer survival rates in the UK. She asks whether we are doing enough chest X-rays in prim...
Ep 125 – Generalised anxiety disorder
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common condition defined as chronic, excessive worry for at least 6 months that causes distress or impairment,...
Ep 124 – Ovarian cancer
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ovarian cancer is a common female malignancy. Patients often present with vague, non-specific symptoms such as abdominal bloating, early satiety and d...
Ep 123 – Proprioception and sleep for children with additional needs
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 121, care and consultations for children with additional needs, and how to help these children and their families, were discussed. In this ...
Ep 122 – Emollients: an overview
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emollients are moisturisers that help soothe, hydrate and protect the skin by forming an occlusive barrier to lock in moisture. They are commonly used...
Ep 121 – Improving consultations for children with additional needs
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many children have additional needs, and occupational therapy can play an important role in helping these children take part in everyday activities as...
Ep 120 – Echocardiography
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Echocardiography is an essential tool in a wide range of clinical scenarios. Appropriate use of an echocardiogram ("echo" scan) can improve clinical o...
Ep 119 – Goitre
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The term goitre refers to an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, typically caused by iodine deficiency or autoimmune diseases such as Graves' d...
Ep 118 – Altitude medicine: the role of the expedition doctor
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Global travel offers many opportunities for adventure – but some come with medical considerations. An infrequent but important consultation is altit...
Ep 117 – Improving early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes: addressing the challenge of undiagnosed cases
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Undiagnosed type 2 diabetes is an increasing and concerning trend in the UK, particularly among Black and Asian ethnic groups and in areas of high dep...
Ep 116 – Transient loss of consciousness
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Transient loss of consciousness (TLoC) affects nearly half the population of the UK at some point in their lives and is not an uncommon presentation i...
Ep 115 – Polycystic ovary syndrome
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age, as well as being a major cause of infertility and pre...
Ep 114 – Erectile dysfunction
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa discusses erectile dysfunction. Using the latest guidelines, this episode takes you through everything to consider whe...
Ep 113 – Vaping: an update
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Quitting smoking is the single most important thing a smoker can do to improve their health, and with the right combination of support, medication and...
Ep 112 – Acne: getting the management spot on
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa discusses a condition that affects 95% of people aged 11–30 to some extent: acne. The 2021 NICE guideline on acne vu...
Ep 111 – Testicular torsion
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Testicular torsion is a urological emergency that usually affects young men, and a high index of suspicion is vital to ensure prompt diagnosis and man...
Ep 110 – Sexual violence (part 2)
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Disclosing sexual violence is a difficult and emotional prospect for a patient and the way a GP responds can set the course of that person’s journey...
Ep 109 – Hypothyroidism
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, is increasingly common as people get older, but it may often be undiagnosed or diagnosed late due to ...
Ep 108 – Restless leg syndrome
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is prevalent in around 5–10% of the population and can result in an impact on quality of life that is comparable to cond...
Ep 107 – Benign prostatic hyperplasia
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an extremely common condition seen in clinical practice, and one which can cause considerable difficulties in ol...
Ep 106 – Sexual violence (part 1)
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Understanding sexual violence is vitally important in primary care. A GP may be the first (or only) individual spoken to by a person who has experienc...
Ep 105 – Empathy: who cares? Exploring empathy in health care
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa discusses a topic which is at the heart of good clinical care: empathy. Research has shown that empathy decreases as m...
Ep 104 – Rheumatoid arthritis
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the joints. Causing joint pain, stiffness, swelling and...
Ep 103 – Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: what has changed in QRISK3 and why?
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, which has been recorded for Chronic Conditions Month 2024, Dr Yassir Javaid (GP with a Specialist Interest in Cardiology) examines th...
Ep 102 – Diverticular disease
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Diverticular disease is a condition characterised by the presence of small pouches, called diverticula, in the wall of the colon (large intestine). Th...
Ep 101 – Coeliac disease
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Coeliac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the small intestine and is triggered by the consumption of gluten, a prot...
Ep 100 – Alcohol and health: a review of the latest research
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa takes a look around the world at some of the different strategies that are being used to try to reduce the health comp...
Ep 99 – Assessment and management of obesity
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Obesity is a medical condition characterised by excessive accumulation of body fat, to the point where it may have adverse effects on health. Its inci...
Ep 98 – Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is reported in 6% of women of reproductive age. It has a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life th...
Ep 97 – Peptic ulcer disease
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The most common cause of peptic ulcers (gastric and duodenal) is infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or the long-term use of nonsteroidal a...
Ep 96 – Dysphagia
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing. It can occur at any age and may be caused by various conditions, including neurological disorders, muscular...
Ep 95 – Trigeminal neuralgia
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a condition characterised by severe, shooting pain in the face, along the trigeminal nerve. The pain can be triggered by ...
Ep 94 – Anal fissures
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anal fissures are small tears or cracks in the lining of the anus which can cause pain, bleeding and discomfort, particularly during bowel movements. ...
Ep 93 – Haemorrhoids
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Haemorrhoids are a very common finding in the Western world and are often seen in our surgeries. They are frequently under-reported so their exact inc...
Ep 92 – Digital wellbeing for patients
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We live in an age of increasing digital connectivity where technology plays an ever-prominent role in peoples’ lives. While social media can provide...
Ep 91 – Lateral hip pain
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lateral hip pain is a common presenting complaint in primary care. It can result in significant morbidity with reduction in activity levels and associ...
Ep 90 – Digital wellbeing for clinicians
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are constantly connected to the web! You are likely connected right now, trying to decide what podcast to listen to! In this episode, Dr James Wald...
Ep 89 – Bowen’s disease
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bowen's disease, also known as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, is a type of skin disorder characterised by the presence of precancerous or intra-epid...