Frankly Speaking About Family Medicine

The Flu is Bad for Your Heart - Frankly Speaking EP 56

Patients with chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, are advised to get yearly flu shots because they are at higher risk for having a more severe illness. Canadian researchers have found that in the week following being diagnosed with the flu, adults over 65 years old have a significantly increased risk of myocardial infection.

Too Little, Too Much: How Much Sleep is Just Right? - Frankly Speaking EP 55

In this session we discuss the impact of length of sleep on obesity and DM II.

Your Morning “Cup of Joe” Could Be Doing More Than Starting Your Day - Frankly Speaking EP 54

This session will review the existing evidence between coffee consumption and multiple health outcomes. 

An Oral Fecal Transplant for Lunch?- Frankly Speaking EP 53

Treating recurrent C. difficile colitis can be difficult, but recent trials have demonstrated the benefit of treating with fecal transplantation. Questions exist, however, about around the best mode of administration. Listen to this week’s episode to learn about a recent RCT that compares oral and colonoscopic delivery methods and provides an answer.   Learning Objectives:  Appreciate the current guidelines for treating recurrent difficile colitis Understand the pharmacology of fecal transplantation Learn about the latest research on how best to administer such treatment

The New Hypertension Guidelines - Frankly Speaking EP 52

New hypertension guidelines from the American College of Cardiology have introduced a new blood pressure classification system and lowered the threshold for initiating pharmacotherapy in certain patient populations. Learning Objectives: Understand the new classification categories of hypertension Understand the new thresholds for starting treatment Understand the limitations of the new recommendations to specific patient populations

Preventing Opioid Addiction: Treating Acute Pain Safely - Frankly Speaking EP 51

For severe, acute pain, 1000 mg of acetaminophen PLUS 400 mg of ibuprofen is as effective as acetaminophen/oxycodone, acetaminophen/hydrocodone, or acetaminophen/codeine. Listen to this week’s episode to learn more about treating acute pain safely.    Learning Objectives:  Review the current trial comparing Acetaminophen plus Ibuprofen to other acetaminophen/opioid combinations on pain outcomes Summarize the other data supporting this combination in children and adults Understand the path that can lead from acute pain to dependence.

Herpes Zoster Vaccination: New Recommendations for Shingles Prevention - Frankly Speaking EP 50

This session will review the recommendations put forth by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the use of a new shingles vaccine. Dosing, use, and efficacy will be discussed.   Learning Objectives: Review the new vaccine recommendations for the prevention of shingles. Discuss the use of the current vaccine and new vaccine with dosage and schedule. Provide a resource for the treatment of post herpetic neuralgia.

Diabetes Remission with Weight Loss - Frankly Speaking EP 49

Diabetes remission is defined as a return to normal blood sugar control without the use of medications. Listen to this episode to learn about a trial in which the use of a very low calorie diet in a primary care setting resulted in significant weight loss and remission of diabetes.   Learning Objectives: Understand what is meant by diabetes remission Understand what treatments can lead to diabetes remission  

What Does the Evidence Tell Us About Diagnosing and Treating Sinusitis? - Frankly Speaking EP 48

Listen to this episode to learn about the evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute sinusitis. Learning Objectives: Discuss the most recent EBP Guidelines on diagnosis and management of acute sinusitis Discuss application of best practices for appropriate management of acute sinusitis and strategies for good antibiotic stewardship. Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC

Treatment Options in Opioid Dependence - Frankly Speaking EP 47

Medication-based maintenance therapy is recommended for patients with opioid dependence. Listen to this week’s episode to learn how once monthly naltrexone injections are as effective as daily treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone.   Learning Objectives:  Understand data comparing long-acting naltrexone to daily buprenorphine/naloxone Understand importance of medication-based maintenance therapy