Frankly Speaking About Family Medicine

A recent longitudinal study of high school students in the LA area found a modest but significant association between high-frequency digital media use (phones, tablets) and subsequent ADHD symptoms. Join us as we discuss these findings and the possible impact on adolescent primary care. Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC

This episode is an introductory discussion of the very real problem of physician burnout. It affects you and those around you. What do we know about burnout and how can we move beyond it? Guest: Jill Terrien PhD, ANP-BC

In this episode, we will discuss using an inhaled steroid twice a day to control mild asthma symptoms, versus using the combination budesonide and formoterol. Guest: Jill Terrien PhD, ANP-BC

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

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 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 

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

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

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

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