#211 Palliative Care with Dr Susie Muir

If you're a GP or frontline clinician who wants a calm, practical update on palliative care without wading through a textbook, this episode is a high-yield listen. Through four realistic cases (breathlessness and panic, malignant bowel obstruction in aged care, cancer pain and nausea in a younger patient, and comfort care with renal/liver failure), Dr Susie Muir breaks down what to do first, what to avoid, when to switch routes (subcut matters), and how to titrate core symptom meds safely—while keeping goals of care at the centre. You'll come away with a clearer mental checklist, confidence to start sensible first-line measures, and a better sense of when to pick up the phone to palliative care early rather than late. Past episode #47 End of Life and Palliative Care with Dr Louise Welch and Dr Sam Manger available on all podcast apps and here. Clinical & palliative care resources PallConsult (Queensland Health) Statewide specialist palliative care advice service with practical clinical resources for health professionals https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/referrals/statewide-specialist-services/pallconsult PallConsult resources page Includes practical guides such as caring@home medication packs and end-of-life care resources https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/referrals/statewide-specialist-services/pallconsult/pallconsult-resources Faculty of Pain Medicine (ANZCA) – Opioid Calculator Useful for opioid conversions and dose checking (always double-check calculations) https://www.anzca.edu.au/safety-and-advocacy/opioid-calculator Pocketbook of Palliative Medicine (app) A concise, clinician-friendly reference for symptom management in palliative care https://apps.apple.com/au/app/palliative-medicine-pocketbook/id1204749954 Practical patient & family support Gather My Crew A free app that helps patients and families coordinate practical support (school runs, meals, errands) without having to repeatedly ask for help https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/ End-of-life support page: https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/are-you-caring-for-someone-at-the-end-of-life/ High performance & wellbeing for healthcare professionals Dr Susie Muir – website Information about upcoming workshops and the "High Performance Reset" for healthcare professionals https://drsusiemuir.com/ Follow Dr Susie Muir Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsusiemuir/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/dr-susie-muir-709916133 ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that address the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing, using lifestyle approaches, behaviour change, health coaching and implementation science?  Check out the JCU College of Medicine postgraduate degrees: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission and YouTube: Careers in lifestyle medicine

Dr Peter Brukner OAM is a world renowned sport and exercise physician who has played a leading role in the development of sports medicine both in Australia and internationally. Peter is the founding partner of the Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre in Melbourne and Professor of Sports Medicine at LaTrobe University.  He is a founding Executive Member of the Australasian College of Sports Physicians, where he played a key role in establishing sports medicine as a medical specialty in Australia.  He has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2006, and the recent 2025 Senior Australian of the Year for Victoria.  More recently Peter has become a passionate advocate of improving nutrition particularly in those with chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes.  He is the co-founder of the public health campaign SugarByHalf and Founder and Chair of Defeat Diabetes, an app and web-based program, aimed at improving diabetes control through diet. Resources relevant to this episode: Injury prevention exercises - FIFA 11+ and Prep to Play Defeat Diabetes app and web based program Dr Gil Carvalho, MD PhD, 10 minute independent YouTube summary of the new US Dietary Guidelines Paper: Defeat Diabetes 6 month intervention outcomes Paper: Dose-dependent effect of carbohydrate restriction for type 2 diabetes management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials Paper: Myths and Facts regarding Low Carb Diets Paper: Evidence based European recommendations for the dietary management of diabetes Paper: Long term effects of healthy versus unhealthy low carbohydrate diets: a prospective 23.5 year cohort study Paper: Optimal dietary patterns for healthy ageing ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that address the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing, using lifestyle approaches, behaviour change, health coaching and implementation science?  Check out the JCU College of Medicine postgraduate degrees: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission and YouTube: Careers in lifestyle medicine The 3 week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind available here.    

Host Dr Sam Manger is joined by Emeritus Professor Richard Hays, a well known clinical and academic GP serving rural and regional Australia.  In the 1990s he became the Professor of General Practice and Rural Health at the newly established North Queensland Clinical School (NQCS) which allowed medical students to complete their training in rural and remote Queensland, setting the stage for what would later become the Rural Clinical Schools, introduced by the Federal Government in the early 2000s. Richard was appointed the Foundation Dean of the James Cook University medical school, becoming the first GP to hold such a position in an Australasian medical school. Richard has over 300 peer-reviewed papers, publications and edited works, including the notable "Handbook of Rural Medicine in Australia" and relevant to our topic today "Travels though Historic Medical Education Sites of Europe" available here. ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that address the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing, using lifestyle approaches, behaviour change, health coaching and implementation science?  Check out the JCU College of Medicine postgraduate degrees: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission and YouTube: Careers in lifestyle medicine The 3 week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind available here.   Job opportunities: Are you a GP, psychiatrist, nurse, or dietitian seeking new inpatient and outpatient careers in whole of person health care?  Opportunities have come up with multiple successful healthcare organisations throughout Australia, please contact Dr Sam Manger for more information [email protected] 

Host Dr Ashlea Broomfield is joined by Dr Peta Wright, Gynaecologist, Paediatric & Adolescent Gynaecologist, Fertility Specialist and Founder of Vera Wellness.  Peta is the author of Healing Pelvic Pain, published in 2023, a book about transforming the trauma of period pain, endometriosis and chronic pelvic distress. She aims to empower women to ask the right questions, get the right treatment, and make lifestyle changes that bring about release from pain. ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that address the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing, using lifestyle approaches, behaviour change, health coaching and implementation science?  Check out the JCU College of Medicine postgraduate degrees: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission and YouTube: Careers in lifestyle medicine The 3 week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind available here.   Job opportunities: Are you a GP, psychiatrist, nurse, or dietitian seeking new inpatient and outpatient careers in whole of person health care?  Opportunities have come up with multiple successful healthcare organisations throughout Australia, please contact Dr Sam Manger for more information [email protected] 

Dr Brendan Hanrahan is a General Physician with over two decades of experience in evidence-based medicine. Dr Hanrahan maintains an active general medicine clinic and inpatient practice, specialising in managing complex medical issues and diagnostic challenges. His primary focus and specialized training is in bariatric medicine, with extensive expertise in obesity management, prevention, and associated complications. He also has significant experience investigating and treating unexplained fatigue and dysautonomic conditions including Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). He has written a practical book on such called "Tired all the time – treating dysautonomia" available here. Are you a General Practitioner (GP) seeking a special interest that combines challenging medicine with the satisfaction of improving patients' quality of life?  Due to overwhelming demand, Dr Hanrahan is seeking a motivated GP to join his Auchenflower practice to develop expertise in managing Dysautonomia, particularly POTS and related conditions. More information here. ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that address the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing, using lifestyle approaches, behaviour change, health coaching and implementation science?  Check out the JCU College of Medicine postgraduate degrees: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission and YouTube: Careers in lifestyle medicine The 3 week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind available here.   Job opportunities: Are you a GP, psychiatrist, nurse, or dietitian seeking new inpatient and outpatient careers in whole of person health care?  Opportunities have come up with multiple successful healthcare organisations throughout Australia, please contact Dr Sam Manger for more information [email protected] 

Host Dr Rob Park sits down with Dr Chris Soo — a GP with a special interest in ADHD to explore a topic that is both highly important and topical right now, with Queensland moving to allow GPs to diagnose and prescribe ADHD medications for adults from Dec 1 2025, and other states expected to follow.  This is a light-hearted but deeply practical conversation that cuts through the noise: how ADHD really presents in day-to-day general practice, what to watch out for, how to start treatment safely, and why this emerging model of care is about to become core business for Australian GPs. If you want to stay ahead of the changes and feel confident supporting this rapidly growing patient group, this is an easy, engaging and very relevant listen. Resources: Clinical Guidelines Australian ADHD Clinical Practice Guideline (AADPA) Australia's comprehensive, evidence-based guideline covering assessment, diagnosis, and management across the lifespan. https://adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au/ CADDRA – Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines Includes excellent "red flag" lists for probable ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. https://www.caddra.ca/practice-guidelines/ NICE ADHD Guideline (UK) Clear diagnostic and treatment recommendations, helpful for cross-checking international standards. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87 Prescribing Resources ADPA Clinician Prescribing Guide (Australia) A practical prescribing manual for clinicians (paid). A lower-cost GP "continuing prescriber guide" is being released soon. https://aadpa.com.au/ Professional Communities RACGP Specific Interests: ADHD, ASD & Neurodiversity RACGP's special interest group providing education, discussion forums, and peer support. https://www.racgp.org.au/the-racgp/faculties/specific-interests/groups/adhd-asd-and-neurodiversity ADHD & Neurodevelopmental GPs – Australia & New Zealand (Facebook Group) A clinician-only "safe space" Chris recommends for practical questions and peer support. (Private group — search the exact name on Facebook to request access.) Support & Telehealth Resources The ADHD Doctor (Dr Chris Soo) Chris's website for clinical information, referral, and updates. https://www.theadhddoctor.com.au/ ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that addresses the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing?  Check out the JCU postgraduate courses: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission The 3 week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind available here.   Job opportunities: Are you a GP, psychiatrist, nurse, or dietitian seeking new inpatient and outpatient careers in whole of person health care?  Opportunities have come up with multiple successful healthcare organisations throughout Australia, please contact Dr Sam Manger for more information [email protected] 

Replay from July 2023, host Dr Sam Manger is joined by Professor Mark Bellgrove, the Director of Research at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, and a Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University.  Professor Bellgrove leads a multidisciplinary team studying the biological basis of attention and cognitive control.   In 2016 Professor Bellgrove founded the Australian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA), an interdisciplinary group devoted to advancing evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in Australia.  In 2023 he led the development of the Australian evidence-based clinical practice guideline for ADHD.   Interview starts at ~6:15.   Resources: ADHD guideline and factsheets- https://adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au/ ADHD consumer companion - https://adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au/consumer-companion/ ADHD Australia https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/ Tools = page 79, free ones include the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham (SNAP) scale for children, and for adults the WHO Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is free VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports - https://www.viacharacter.org/  ADHD coaches = https://adhdcoachesaustralasia.online/ Tuning into kids:= https://tuningintokids.org.au/courses/tuning-in-to-kids-online/ Triple P – Positive Parenting Program https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/triple-p/ Relevant past episodes: Dr Arne Rubenstein Rites of Passage podcast and programs https://ritesofpassageinstitute.org/ Dr Jon Jureidini communicating with adolescents and using a genogram podcast Dr Angela Loucks Alexander Auditory Processing Disorder podcast Dr Cathy Franklin and Professor Tony Attwood Autism Spectrum Disorder podcast and another ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that addresses the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing?  Check out the JCU postgraduate courses: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission The 3 week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind available here.   Job opportunities: Are you a GP, psychiatrist, nurse, or dietitian seeking new inpatient and outpatient careers in whole of person health care?  Opportunities have come up with multiple successful healthcare organisations throughout Australia, please contact Dr Sam Manger for more information [email protected] 

Host Dr Sam Manger is joined by Dr Steven Lu, a GP and Founder of Everlab, an Australian preventative health company using personalized, data-driven care to detect, prevent, and reverse disease risks.  Steven is also a keen medical educator and on the RACGP Victoria Council.  Everlab is one of Australia's fasting growing startups and more information can be found here.  ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that addresses the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing?  Check out the JCU postgraduate courses: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission The 3 week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind available here.   Job opportunities: Are you a GP, psychiatrist, nurse, or dietitian seeking new inpatient and outpatient careers in whole of person health care?  Opportunities have come up with multiple successful healthcare organisations throughout Australia, please contact Dr Sam Manger for more information [email protected] 

Dr Amandeep Hansra is a multi-award winning GP and leader in digital health and innovation in Australia with 18 years of clinical experience. She is known for her work as a digital health consultant, entrepreneur and investor. She has been a Digital Health Adviser with the Australian Digital Health Agency for five years and in July 2024 became the Agency's Chief Clinical Adviser (Medicine). Amandeep was the CEO & Medical Director of Telstra's telemedicine business ReadyCare; a joint venture between Telstra and Medgate, and co-founded the Australian Medical Angels, a network that invests in digital health and medical devices. She concurrently holds the position of Adjunct Associate Professor in Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health at the University of Sydney. Additionally, she is the co-founder of Creative Careers in Medicine community, conference and podcast. Interested in digital health? Check out the Healthcare 2040 Expo, 11-12 March 2026 at the International Convention Centre, Sydney. Healthcare 2040 Expo is the biggest and most influential digital healthcare exhibition in the southern hemisphere and explores the radical transformation of Australian healthcare over the next 15 years — from AI-enabled hospitals to genomics-driven prevention. ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that addresses the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing?  Check out the JCU postgraduate courses: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission The 3 week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind available here.   Job opportunities: Are you a GP, psychiatrist, nurse, or dietitian seeking new inpatient and outpatient careers in whole of person health care?  Opportunities have come up with multiple successful healthcare organisations throughout Australia, please contact Dr Sam Manger for more information [email protected] 

Hosts Dr Sam Manger, Dr Ashlea Broomfield and Dr Rob Park sit down together for the very first time to introduce ourselves and briefly share our stories — from diverse backgrounds in general practice and medical education to our shared passion for advancing holistic, evidence-based care.  Our trio discuss how our different experiences complement each other, what drew us into general practice, and what listeners can expect from future episodes — from deep-dives into clinical topics to candid reflections on the realities of primary care in Australia.  This episode also marks the first of a series of intermittent reflective conversations, where we will revisit key themes from past podcasts, unpack lessons learned, and explore the future implications for healthcare, practice, and professional growth.  Join us as we kick off this journey of conversation, banter, curiosity, and reflection — bringing together the art and science of being a GP in today's evolving world. ... If you would like to request a topic, please contact us via [email protected]  Thank you for listening and your support. ...  Study and learn lifestyle medicine:  Interested in whole of person clinical practice, research and careers that addresses the lifestyle and social determinants of illness and wellbeing?  Check out the JCU postgraduate courses: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master in lifestyle medicine. Dr Sam Manger on YouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remission The 3 week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind available here.   Job opportunities: Are you a GP, psychiatrist, nurse, or dietitian seeking new inpatient and outpatient careers in whole of person health care?  Opportunities have come up with multiple successful healthcare organisations throughout Australia, please contact Dr Sam Manger for more information [email protected]