RCGP eLearning Podcast

In this podcast, Dr Charlie Andrews, committee member of the Primary Care Society of Gastroenterology and Clinical Champion for West of England for inflammatory bowel disease, discusses various aspects of coeliac disease, from when it should be considered through to longer term management. He offers hints to diagnostic clues which should prompt testing, and guidance on the process of testing, including consuming enough gluten in the run-up to investigating. Patients need support and information once the diagnosis is made, and Charlie explains what you can do as a GP and who else may need to be involved in their ongoing care.This podcast was produced as part of the Autoimmunity Education app, which will be available on the RCGP Online Learning Environment from October 2019.Reviewed: August 2023Editorial and content decisions were made solely by the RCGP.

There are approximately 1.5 men and 3.6 women per 10,000 people who develop rheumatoid arthritis each year. This EKU2019.1 Podcast discusses the management of rheumatoid arthritis in adults with Dr Barbara Noble, a GP in Wolverhampton, a CSA assessor, appraiser and EKU Programme Author.

Contraception is a rapidly changing field, with new devices becoming available and new guidelines being issued. RCGP Clinical Champion for Menstrual Wellbeing, Dr Anne Connolly, talks to Dr Toni Hazell about a variety of subjects in the area of contraception. She starts by discussing emergency contraception and how to choose between the two oral methods available and then goes on to discuss the UKMEC which is the main reference guideline for contraception safety. The podcast then covers the different hormonal intrauterine systems available, contraception in the peri-menopause and the use of extended pill taking.Reviewed and updated: October 2025

While deaths from other common conditions are falling, mortality from liver disease is increasing. There has been a 400% increase in deaths from liver disease between 1970-2010. This is higher in patients under the age of 65.This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2018.3) podcast discussed the management of abnormal liver blood tests.

Studies report that between 4-51% of women are affected by heavy periods. This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2018.3) podcast explores the assessment and management of heavy menstrual bleeding.

Endometriosis is associated with infertility and is also associated with a lower quality of life with women taking more sick days because of the condition.This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2018.2) podcast explores the diagnosis and management of endometriosis in primary care.

The National Review into Asthma Deaths in 2014 found that 46% of asthma deaths may have been avoidable if guidelines were followed.This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2018.2) podcast discusses the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and chronic asthma management in primary care.

Axial spondyloarthritis is often misdiagnosed as mechanical back pain. There is an average delay of 8.5 years between symptom onset and diagnosis. This Essential Knowledge Update (2018.1) podcast provides an overview of spondyloarthritis and offers information and guidance on its diagnosis, investigations and (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) management in primary care.

The point prevalence of dermatitis in the UK is estimated to be about 20%, with atopic/endogenous dermatitis making up the majority of cases.This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.3) podcast discusses the 2017 British Association of Dermatologists guideline on contact dermatitis and how the condition is diagnosed and managed in primary care. It explore the irritant and allergic responses and the assessment and treatment/therapies for patients presenting with the condition.

5.4 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma - 1.1 million children (1 in 11) and 4.3 million adults (1 in 12).This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.2) podcast discusses the management of asthma in primary care including the criteria for assessing and diagnosing asthma in both children and adults, allergy testing, treatments (both non medication such as breathing exercises and medical treatments) and occupational asthma.

About 20% of adults have chronic non-cancer pain, and approximately 25% of those will benefit long-term from prescription opioids.This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.2) podcast discusses two papers (from the European Pain Federation and the New England Journal of Medicine) with different views on the use of opioids in chronic pain and how this evidence can be translated into primary care.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presents as a disease spectrum. Fatty change is a common and frequently benign condition, present in 20-30% of the population and up to 90% of the morbidly obese.This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU2017.1) podcast explores the NICE guideline on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It discusses epidemiology of the condition as well as assessment, diagnosis (including severity) and management in primary care.

The mean age of women who have a natural menopause is 51 years, although there is wide variation between women.This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU18) podcast explores the diagnosis, treatment and management of the menopause. It also discusses the peri-menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), symptoms of the menopause and more.

Alcohol use disorders are most common among those in young adulthood (18-29 years), a group that are relatively low at consulting primary care.This Essential Knowledge Update (EKU18) podcast discusses the global burden of the disease and the main groups at risk of alcohol use disorder. It explores the diagnostic terms, identification, investigations, interventions and management in primary care and also highlights the area of driving and the DVLA.