Synapse: The Australian GP Studycast
Welcome to Synapse, your dedicated audio companion for navigating the vast landscape of Australian General Practice.Are you a medical student, GP registrar, or a practicing GP who learns best by listening? Do you want to turn your commute, workout, or downtime into a productive study session? This podcast is designed for you.Our goal is to make essential written publications and high-yield study materials more accessible, especially for those who are predominantly audio learners. Each episode delves into a topic relevant to Australian General Practice by summarising key articles from publications like the Australian Journal of General Practice (AJGP...
Mandatory Notifications of Medical Practitioners
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Are you a registered health practitioner or employer unsure about when you are legally required to report a colleague to AHPRA? Deciding whether to make a mandatory notification can be a difficult decision that requires balanced judgement.
In this episode, we break down the official Ahpra Guidelines on Mandatory Notifications to clarify your legal obligations under the National Law. We dive deep into the four specific concerns that can trigger a mandatory notification:
ImpairmentIntoxication while practisingA significant departure from accepted professional standards<...Evaluating Short Stature in Children- GP's Take
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In this episode, we explore the clinical approach to evaluating and managing short stature in children. While short stature is a common cause of parental concern, the primary task for a general practitioner is to distinguish between healthy children with normal growth variants (such as familial short stature or constitutional delay) and those with an underlying pathology.
Join us as we break down the essentials of paediatric growth assessments, including:
The "Vital Sign" of Growth: Why taking serial, accurate height measurements to calculate growth velocity (in cm/year...Distal Fibular Fracture
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Distal fibular (lateral malleolus) fractures are the most common type of ankle fracture, affecting a wide bimodal distribution of patients—from younger individuals experiencing high-energy trauma to older adults who have suffered a simple fall.
In this episode, we dive into the comprehensive clinical management of acute ankle injuries with a suspected distal fibular fracture. We guide clinicians through the critical steps of assessment, from initial inspection to determining exactly who needs radiography using the Ottawa Ankle Rules. While most acute ankle injuries can be managed conservatively, it is vital to id...
Medical Consent for Children
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In this episode, we explore the complex legal and ethical landscape of medical consent for children and young adults. While parents or guardians typically provide consent for patients under the age of 18, there are critical exceptions where minors can legally take control of their own medical decisions.
Join us as we break down 'Gillick competence', a common-law principle that allows minors to consent to their own treatment if they possess "sufficient understanding and intelligence" to fully grasp what the proposed treatment involves. We also navigate how these rules vary...
Traveler's Diarrhoea
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In this episode, we explore the clinical management of Travellers' Diarrhoea (TD), the most common and predictable travel-acquired illness affecting 20–50% of short-term travelers. Designed specifically for general practitioners and travel medicine professionals, this discussion provides a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for conducting effective pre-travel consultations and investigating symptoms in returned travelers.
Key clinical topics covered in this episode include:
Pathophysiology & Diagnostic Clues: How to differentiate between bacterial (the dominant cause at 50–90% of cases, notably Enterotoxigenic E. coli), viral, and protozoal pathogens using incubation periods and symp...Palpitations in General Practice- Ventricular Ectopics
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In this episode, we dive into the clinical assessment and management of palpitations, one of the most common presentations in general practice. Palpitations account for roughly 16% of general practice visits and are the second most common presentation to cardiologists right after chest pain. While they are often benign, they can sometimes signal a life-threatening arrhythmia.
A major focus of this episode is the danger of premature psychological diagnoses. Did you know that 54% of patients initially labeled as having anxiety or panic disorders are eventually diagnosed with an actual arrhythmic cause? We...
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
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Are you tired of catching the sniffles and wondering what you can actually do to feel better? In this episode, we dive into the facts about managing colds, coughs, and the flu—and why reaching for antibiotics might actually do more harm than good.
We break down the essential differences between a common cold and the more serious influenza, and explain exactly why antibiotics are completely ineffective against the viruses that cause them. We also explore the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance, explaining how using antibiotics when you don't need th...
Influenza- Prevention & Therapy
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In this episode, we take a deep dive into the clinical management of influenza, a viral respiratory infection that causes significant morbidity and mortality globally and in Australia every year. We explore why the routine annual flu vaccine remains our most critical intervention, and break down the circulating subtypes, including Influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and Influenza B.
Join us as we unpack the evolution of flu vaccines, explaining the shift from trivalent to quadrivalent formulations to improve protection. We also highlight targeted vaccine strategies for high-risk demographics, such...
Australia's clinical transition to pharmacy vapes: Basics for the GP to know
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Dive into the major shifts in Australia's regulatory landscape following the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024. With all vapes now exclusively sold through pharmacies, this episode breaks down what healthcare professionals and patients need to know about the transition. We explore the October 2024 changes that allow adults to access nicotine vapes (≤20 mg/mL) without a prescription under Schedule 3, while higher concentrations still require a doctor's oversight.
Join us as we unpack the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) guidelines, discussing why Nicotine Vaping Products (NVPs) are st...
HIV PrEP: biology + behaviour + chemistry
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In this episode, we dive into the essential updates from the ASHM 2025 National PrEP Guidelines, providing a comprehensive clinical management and prescribing summary tailored for GPs and Nurse Practitioners.
Join us as we break down exactly how Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) works, utilizing co-formulated tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine (TD/FTC) to safely block HIV replication before an infection can establish. Whether you are looking to refresh your day-to-day clinical prescribing knowledge or hunting for high-yield exam pearls for the AKT or KFP, this episode covers all the practical steps you...
Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture
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In this episode, we take a deep dive into the clinical indications, diagnosis, and management of distal biceps tendon ruptures. Whether you are a medical student studying orthopedics or a clinician looking to refresh your knowledge on shoulder and elbow injuries, this episode covers everything you need to know about this rare but functionally impactful injury.
What We Cover:
The Mechanism of Injury: We discuss the classic presentation of a distal biceps avulsion, including the painful "pop" caused by sudden eccentric contraction, weakness in supination and...Unnecessary dental extraction- Trigeminal Neuralgia
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In this episode, we delve into the intense and often debilitating condition known as Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). Known historically as tic douloureux due to the sudden wincing it induces, TN is characterized by paroxysmal attacks of severe, stabbing, and "electric shock-like" facial pain.
Join us as we explore the hallmark symptoms of TN, including how these sudden attacks are typically isolated to the trigeminal nerve's distribution and can strike anywhere from zero to over 50 times a day. We also break down the surprising everyday triggers that can set off an episode—ra...
Demystifying Blepharitis: There's more to lids & lashes.
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Red, gritty, and chronically irritated eyes walking into your clinic? Before you reach for the antibiotic drops, let's talk about why consistent lid hygiene is the unsung hero of primary care ophthalmology.
In this episode, we dive deep into the diagnosis and management of blepharitis, a staple presentation in general practice. We unpack the clinical differences between anterior and posterior blepharitis, their links to conditions like ocular rosacea, and walk through the latest Australian evidence-based treatment protocols. Whether you're managing a mild flare-up or a stubborn chronic case, this review will...
A practical approach to sleeping difficulties in children
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A child who “won’t sleep” can trigger the fastest reflex in medicine: write a script and hope tonight is easier. We slow that moment right down and show why the quick fix often misses the real problem. Kids run shorter sleep cycles than adults, so brief overnight arousals are normal. The difference between a settled house and a 2 am crisis is whether the child can resettle independently or needs the exact same sleep onset association they had at bedtime.
We break paediatric sleep into three clear clinical buckets: insomnia (often behavi...
Deprescribing in older adults- What we know
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Episode Overview: Deprescribing is not the withdrawal of care—it is a sophisticated, highly planned, and person-centred element of good prescribing. In this episode of Synapse, we unpack the clinical mechanics of safely reducing or stopping medications in older adults experiencing polypharmacy. Drawing directly from the latest Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing (WACHA) Clinical Practice Guidelines, we move past broad generalizations to give you the exact timelines, step-down formulas, and safety-netting protocols you need for your next consult.
What We Cover in This Episode:
...Adult Bronchiectasis- Revisit that COPD label
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 In this episode, two GPs sit down for a peer-to-peer discussion on non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis—a chronic suppurative lung disease that is increasingly recognized as a major cause of chronic cough and recurrent chest infections in general practice. Up to 45% of patients given a clinician-assigned COPD diagnosis may actually lack airflow obstruction or a consistent smoking history, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatments. We unpack how to recognize, diagnose, and manage bronchiectasis in the adult patient, moving beyond the "chronic bronchitis" or "COPD" label.
What We Cover in This Episode:<...
Bartonella henselae: The GP's Guide to Cat Scratch Disease
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Cat scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae — a bacterium carried by cats and their fleas — and it's far more common in general practice than most GPs realise. The classic presentation of tender regional lymphadenopathy after a kitten scratch is easy enough, but 10–15% of patients develop systemic disease involving the liver, spleen, eyes, or nervous system, and in patients over 60 the picture can look nothing like the textbook: think fever of unknown origin, culture-negative endocarditis, or unexplained encephalitis.
In this episode we cover the full diagnostic and management approach: how to make t...
Recurrent "Boils"? Stop Treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa Like Boils
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Are your patients repeatedly presenting with "recurrent boils" in the axillae or groin that just won't resolve with another course of antibiotics or an incision and drainage? It is time to think about Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS).
In this episode of Synapse, we dive into the management of HS—a chronic, debilitating, and frequently misdiagnosed inflammatory skin disorder affecting roughly 0.67% of the Australian population, primarily women. Join our GP hosts as they unpack why we need to fundamentally shift our approach to this condition. We will explore why HS is...
The ANA Test: When to Order It, What It Means, and How Not to Be Fooled
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What does a positive ANA result actually mean — and when should you have ordered it in the first place?
In this episode, an experienced GP educator and a curious colleague sit down to untangle one of the most commonly misused tests in general practice: the antinuclear antibody test. Drawing on Therapeutic Guidelines, UpToDate, and the RACGP literature, they cut through the confusion around ordering, interpreting, and acting on ANA results — and explain why getting this wrong can cause real harm to patients.
From understanding why ANAs exist in the firs...
A Good Death: The GP's Role in Palliative and End-of-Life Care
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What does it really mean to help someone die well — and how can GPs lead that journey?
In this episode, a seasoned GP and a curious registrar sit down to talk through one of the most human — and most underappreciated — parts of general practice: caring for patients as they approach the end of life.
Drawing on the RACGP Silver Book, the Australian Family Physician framework for proactive palliative care, and the Australian Government's End-of-Life Pathway for clinicians, they unpack the practical, clinical, and deeply personal dimensions of this work.
F...
Gout — More Than a Sore Toe
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Think gout is just a lifestyle disease you treat with ibuprofen and send home? Think again. In this episode, we unpack why gout is one of the most undertreated chronic diseases in Australian general practice — and what you can do about it today.
We walk through the full clinical picture, from that classic 3am big-toe presentation to the easily-missed older woman with inflamed finger joints on a diuretic. We cover how to nail the diagnosis before committing a patient to lifelong therapy, how to choose the right drug for the acute fl...
Sore Joints Everywhere: Making Sense of Polyarthralgia in General Practice
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When a patient walks in with pain in five or more joints, where do you even start? In this episode, we break down one of general practice's most diagnostically challenging presentations — polyarthralgia. From distinguishing inflammatory from non-inflammatory causes, to navigating the investigations minefield, to knowing when to refer and when to watch and wait — we cover it all in a practical, pearl-packed conversation designed for GPs and registrars in the trenches.
We tackle the danger of the broad "rheumatological panel," the pivotal role of synovitis on examination, the 6-week rule that chan...
Strongyloidiasis — The Worm That Never Leaves
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It's been 40 years since your patient worked on a farm in rural Southeast Asia. They feel fine. You're about to start them on prednisolone. Should you pause?
In this episode of Synapse Clinical, we unpack Strongyloides stercoralis — the soil-transmitted worm with a unique trick: it can complete its entire life cycle inside the human host, persisting silently for decades, then turning lethal the moment immunity drops.
We cover everything a GP needs to know: who to screen and when, how to recognise the clinical spectrum from mild eosinophilia to th...
MASLD & The FIB-4 Fast-Track: 2026 Guidelines for the Australian GP
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Steatotic Liver Disease affects roughly 30% of adult Australians. Are you screening correctly? This episode is a practical guide for the frontline GP. We discuss how to pivot your consults from a "diagnosis of exclusion" to a "positive diagnosis" based on cardiometabolic risk factors.Â
Nomenclature Shift: Why we stopped saying "Non-Alcoholic" and "Fatty."Workup: Using ultrasound as a first-line tool and the serum markers that actually matter. Stigma & Communication: How to explain MASLD to your patients without the "blame" associated with previous terminology.2026 Updates: A lo...Acne Vulgaris: Evidence-Based Management from Topicals to Isotretinoin
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In this episode, we dive into the management of Acne Vulgaris, one of the most common dermatological presentations in Australian General Practice. We move beyond the basics to discuss the stepped-care approach, comparing current evidence for various topical combinations, the role of oral antibiotics, and when to consider a referral for oral isotretinoin. The podcast is based on the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines.Â
Whether you are preparing for your exams or refining your clinical practice, this episode provides a clear, high-yield summary of the latest guidelines to help you confidently manage everything f...
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): GP relevant evaluation and management
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Unraveling PCOS: New Guidelines, Diagnosis, and Holistic Management
Episode Description:
In this episode, we take a deep dive into Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a complex and common endocrine condition affecting approximately 12–21% of women of reproductive age. Despite its prevalence, up to 70% of women remain undiagnosed, facing delays and inconsistent information,.
Drawing on the latest international evidence-based guidelines, we explore the shift in diagnostic criteria, including the new recommendation to use Anti-MĂĽllerian Hormone (AMH) levels as an alternative to ultrasound for adults,. We dis...
Infectious Diseases: leptospirosis
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Leptospirosis: When the Water Bites Back
Is it just a severe flu, or something lurking in the mud? In this episode, we wade into the science of Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through water and soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals like rats, cattle, and pigs.
Join us as we analyze why this emerging zoonosis is on the rise due to climate change and flooding, and uncover:
• The Risk Factors: Why sugar cane farmers, abattoir workers, and whitewater rafters ar...
The Enlarged Prostate: Benign Prostate Hyperplasia / Hypertrophy, LUTs
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This episode provides a high-yield, evidence-based review of the assessment and management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a condition managed by Australian GPs on over 200,000 occasions annually.
Core Concepts and Initial Assessment:Â
- TerminologyÂ
- Voiding Vs Storage SxÂ
   - Assessing severity with I-PSSÂ
- AssessmentÂ
Pharmacological Management: Mechanisms and Trials:Â
- Alpha Blockers (Dynamic Component)Â
- 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) (Static Component)Â
- Comb...
AJGP Series: Evaluating Male Infertility (The Other Side of the Equation)
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In this episode of the AJGP Article Series, we dive into the 'Focus' article from September 2017, "Male infertility – The other side of the equation.Â
With a male factor contributing to infertility in approximately 50% of couples, the GP's role is critical. This episode breaks down the key components of the general practitioner's evaluation of male infertility, including:
A systematic approach to patient history and physical examination.Key investigations, including endocrine assessment and semen analysis.The GP's pivotal role in counselling on modifiable lifestyle factors.Important indications for referral to a male inf...Fitness to Drive: A GP's Guide to the Austroads Guidelines, Legal Risks, and Clinical Red Flags
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Description: As a GP, you are central to one of the most complex and high-stakes decisions in primary care: assessing a patient's fitness to drive. This episode is a practical toolkit for navigating the official Austroads and National Transport Commission (NTC) guidelines, moving beyond clinical diagnosis to sophisticated, real-world risk calculation.
We explore your role within the "legal triangle of accountability" and break down the critical differences between 'protected discretion' in states like NSW and Victoria, and the 'mandatory reporting' laws in South Australia and the Northern Territory. This...
The Settling Sessions: A GP's Take on Sleep including Night Terrors and Nightmares
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Is your child struggling with nightmares, night terrors, or bedtime battles? In this episode of Synapse, we break down common childhood sleep problems, from infancy to adolescence. Learn the key differences between nightmares and night terrors, uncover the hidden causes of sleep disturbances like anxiety and screen time, and discover evidence-based strategies to help your child settle independently. We'll cover practical techniques like "controlled comforting" and discuss when it's time to seek professional help. Tune in for expert advice to support healthier sleep for your whole family.
The source for the...
Child Health: Breath Holding Spells
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Ever witnessed a child get so upset they hold their breath until they turn blue or go pale? In this episode, we break down breath-holding spells, a common but frightening occurrence in children aged six months to six years. Learn what triggers these involuntary episodes, the difference between blue (cyanotic) and pale (pallid) spells, and what physical signs to watch for. We'll provide clear, practical guidance for parents and carers on how to keep your child safe during a spell. Based on information from The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network.
#RACGP #GPtraining...
The Dust That Disables- Uncovering Q Fever in Australia
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Podcast: The Dust That Disables: Uncovering Q Fever in Australia
Is it a relentless flu you just can't shake, complete with drenching sweats, severe headaches, and extreme fatigue? What if the cause wasn't a common virus, but invisible bacteria carried on the wind from nearby livestock or wildlife? You could be dealing with Q fever, Australia's most significant zoonotic disease. Caused by the highly resilient bacterium Coxiella burnetii, this illness poses a serious risk to farmers, abattoir workers, and veterinarians, but can also infect people in rural...
Podcast: Psittacosis (aka Parrot Fever)
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Podcast: Parrot Fever Unmasked- From Pet Birds to Pneumonia, A Guide to Psittacosis
Is it a severe headache and fever that feels like a nasty flu? A persistent dry cough that progresses to pneumonia? What if the source wasn't another person, but your beloved pet bird, or even dust kicked up while mowing the lawn? You could be dealing with psittacosis. Also known as ornithosis or "parrot fever," this zoonotic disease is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci and is transmitted from birds to humans. While highly treatable, it...
Pertussis- All you need to know as a GP in Australia
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Podcast: Whooping Cough Uncovered: A GP's Guide to the Cough, the Risks, and the Vaccine
Is it a cough that lingers for weeks, a cold that escalates into uncontrollable coughing fits, or the sound of a worrying gasp for air in a young child? You might be dealing with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough.1 Caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, this highly contagious respiratory infection affects people of all ages but poses the greatest threat to infants under six months old, who are most often infected by family...
Headaches- all you need to know
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In this episode of Synapse, we tackle one of the most common presentations in Australian primary care: the headache. We provide a clear guide to cut through the complexity, starting with how to take a representative history and spot crucial red flags with the SNOOP4 mnemonic. We then demystify the approach to neuroimaging and provide clinical pearls for managing common primary headaches like migraine and TTH , as well as can't-miss secondary causes like Giant Cell Arteritis.
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Approach to TMJ Dysfunction
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Podcast: Unlocking TMJ: Pain, Popping, and Pathways to Relief
Is it a dull ache in your face, a painful click in your jaw, a tension headache you can't shake, or a persistent earache? You might be dealing with temporomandibular dysfunction, or TMD. Affecting millions of people, especially women in their 20s and 30s, this complex condition is one of the most common causes of non-dental facial pain.
In this episode, we separate fact from fiction and provide a clear guide to understanding your jaw pain. We break...
Article Summary: Overactive Bladder Syndrome- Management & Treatment Options
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This episode offers a concise clinical review of Overactive Bladder (OAB) syndrome for practitioners. We cover the essential steps in diagnosis, from taking a focused history and ruling out red flags to the importance of urinalysis and post-void residual measurement.
The core of the discussion is the stepwise management framework:
First-line: A review of foundational conservative therapies, including lifestyle advice and structured bladder training.Second-line: A comparison of pharmacotherapy options, focusing on the mechanisms and differing side-effect profiles of antimuscarinics versus the beta-3 agonist, mirabegron....A GP's Approach to Tinnitus
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Is it a ringing, a buzzing, a hissing, or a hum? Tinnitus is one of the most common symptoms people experience, but it's widely misunderstood. More than just an annoyance, persistent tinnitus can significantly affect mood, sleep, and overall quality of life.
In this episode, we cut through the noise to bring you a clear, evidence-based guide to tinnitus. We explore what's really happening in your auditory system when you perceive a sound that isn't there.
Join us as we discuss:
The crucial difference between pulsatile and nonpulsatile...Article Summary: Investigating and Managing Androgen Deficiency in Older Men
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GPA ref 11: Androgen deficiency in older men
This episode focuses on the evidence-based approach to diagnosing and managing androgen deficiency in older men13. We summarise the AJGP article "Androgen deficiency in older men," providing a practical guide for GPs. This information is taken directly from the Australian Journal of General Practice, Vol. 48, No. 7, July 201914.
Article Link: https://www.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2019/july/androgen-deficiency-older-men
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⚠️ Disclaimer: The voices in this podcast are AI-generated. This content is produced for entertainment and...
