Frankly Speaking About Family Medicine

More Than Beauty: Length and Quality of Sleep and Its Impact on CV Risk Factors in Teens - Frankly Speaking EP 82

It has been fairly established that short duration of sleep is associated with obesity in teens and adults; however, the impact of quantity and quality of sleep has not been as well established. A cross-sectional study by Feliciano et al. found that longer and better sleep was associated with better cardiometabolic profiles in early adolescence – independent of other factors. Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC

Goals of Care Discussions in Patients with Serious Illness: Is It a Downer? - Frankly Speaking EP 81

Discussing goals of care with patients that have a serious, life-limiting illness does not affect the patient’s anxiety or depression—but can increase the quality of the communication. Listen to this podcast episode for tips that are easily adaptable to any outpatient or specialty practice. Guest: Jill Terrien PhD, ANP-BC

Breastfeeding Supplemented with Formula; When Is It the Right Thing to Do? - Frankly Speaking EP 80

Breastfeeding exclusively in the first six months of life is widely recommended. However, in this study of newborns who were losing weight because their mother’s milk had not yet come in, post-breastfeeding supplementation improved weight and did not alter breastfeeding rates at one month.  Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC 

Mangia: What Is the Truth about the Mediterranean Diet and CVD Health? - Frankly Speaking EP 79

In 2013, a groundbreaking clinical trial from Spain touted the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet to reduce CVD risk. A recent review of the study found some irregularities in the randomization procedure that cast concern on the validity of the findings. After reanalysis of the data, however, the results were essentially the same. Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC

Binge Drinking in Adolescents: A Sober Subject That Begs for Attention - Frankly Speaking EP 78

For adolescents who binge drink, when they begin and how often they do it affects academic performance. This episode discusses the findings of a longitudinal analysis of secondary school students in Canada: The COMPASS study. Guest: Jill Terrien PhD, ANP-BC

Treatment of Post-Op Pain Following Spine and Joint Surgery - Frankly Speaking EP 77

This study looked at how pain was treated following spine and joint surgery and found the majority of patients were not encouraged to use non-opioid analgesia and that most had a supply of unused opioids at home. Guest: Jill Terrien PhD, ANP-BC

Assessing Blood Pressure: How Accurate Are the Blood Pressure Measurements You Use to Care for Your Patients? - Frankly Speaking EP 76

Hypertension affects an estimated 80 million Americans. We diagnose, determine the need for medication therapy, and monitor treatment efficacy based on a simple office blood pressure measurement – but how accurate is that measurement, and what is the most valid method to obtain it? Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC

Moving Fast, Moving Slow - Frankly Speaking EP 75

Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat and often requires a multifaceted approach combining exercise, medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and health education. For many patients, pain hinders participation in a vigorous exercise regimen. Listen to this review of a randomized trial comparing aerobic exercise to tai chi in a patient population with fibromyalgia. Guest: Alan Ehrlich, MD 

Uncomplicated UTI in Women: What a Pain! - Frankly Speaking EP 74

For women experiencing an uncomplicated UTI, nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin are two first-line options for treatment. Is one more effective than the other? Listen to this episode to learn about the results from a multinational, open-label, randomized clinical trial. Guest: Jill Terrien PhD, ANP-BC

Put That Finger Down! The End of the Screening Rectal Exam - Frankly Speaking EP 73

Listen to this week’s podcast episode to learn about a meta-analysis showing no benefit to rectal examinations in men. Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC