Updates on current medical news, Jody's Epocrates exodus, and a review of hepatitis B pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. References: Lok. A. S. F. Hepatitis B virus: Screening and diagnosis in adults. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hepatitis-b-virus-screening-and-diagnosis-in-adults Lok. A. S. F., Hepatitis B virus: Overview of…

Jody reviews recent developments in the US healthcare dystopia, then discusses pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of gout. References: 1) Merriman, T. Gout: Pathophysiology. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gout-pathophysiology 2) Gaffo, A. L. Gout: Clinical Manifestations and diagnosis. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents…

In a spin-off of last week's episode, Jody discusses making life and death decisions as a healthcare professional.

Lieutenant Colonel Rick Caniglia, U.S. Army, Retired, shares medical stories from his long military career.

Links: ACIP Website HHS Statement on ACIP Reconstitution Restoring Gold Standard Science Executive Order Experts Sound Alarm After ACIP Members Removed (NFID) NPR Article on New ACIP Members

I tried to prescribe a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) app to treat a patient's anxiety. It didn't go well.

F is for Fournier! Jody reviews pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this (thankfully) uncommon condition. References: 1) Stevens, D.L., & Baddour, L.M. Necrotizing soft tissue infections. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/ necrotizing-soft-tissue-infections 2) Bersoff-Matcha SJ, Chamberlain C, Cao C, Kortepeter C, Chong WH. Fourn…

Jody reviews pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment of erectile dysfunction. References: 1) Raymond, R.C., & Khera, M. Epidemiology and etiologies of male sexual dysfunction. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-and-etiologies-of-male-sexual-dysfunction 2) Khera, M. Evaluation of male sexual dysfunction. UpToDate. https://ww…

Jody went to a conference! Here's what he learned...

Jody's CHD lecture for nursing students. Case study links: Case Study 1 Case Study 2 Case Study 3

Jody responds to the American College of Physicians' Annals On Call Podcast episode released on May 19th, 2025. Links: Advanced Practice Clinicians Cannot Replace Primary Care Physicians. Annals On Call Podcast, 5-29-25 Physician Assistant and Former PA-Turned-Physician Discuss the State of the Profession. Patients At Risk Podcast, 7-25-21 (Spotify…

D is for deprescribing! Jody wrestles with this very complicated and grey area of medical practice. Resources: Beers Criteria (AGS) STOPP/START Criteria Deprescribing.org MedStopper NO TEARS NICE Medicines Optimization Guidelines EMPOWER Brochures The list of deprescribing resources was generated by ChatGPT.…

Jody is joined by one of the world's foremost AI experts, ChatGPT itself, to discuss how AI is impacting healthcare currently and how it might change the medical field in the future.

C is for constipation! Jody discuss pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this surprisingly common problem. References: American College of Gastroenterology Guidelines Rome Foundation Chronic Constipation in Adults: Management (UpToDate) NIDDK on Constipation Mayo Clinic Constipation Article Merck Manual Constipation Article Diagnosis & Managem…

In this final episode of the #NephMadness 2025 series, Jody summarizes each region in detail. Remember, it's about LEARNING, not WINNING... Links: Shells & Tails 2025 Herbal Supplements & Kidney Disease (NKF) National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health

Jody checks his final scores of #NephMadness 2025.

Jody reviews the changes to healthcare policy made by the Trump administration so far. References: 1) Grossi, G. et al. Health policy in flux: Trump administration updates. AJMC. Published online March 28, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/health-policy-in-flux-trump-administration-updates 2) Kates, J., Michaud, J., Moss, K., & Dawson, L. Overview of…

Jody checks his score and standing after the second round of #NephMadness 2025 results are released.

The first set of picks are out! #NephMadness 2025

Jody submits his bracket for #NephMadness 2025 at the last minute! A true buzzer beater!

B is for Brugada! Jody reviews this important cause of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest. References & Resources: 1) Medications to Avoid (Brugadadrugs.org) 2) Brugada Syndrome (Life In The Fastlane) 3) Wylie, J. V. Brugada syndrome: Epidemiology and pathogenesis. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/ contents/brugada-syndrome-epidemi…

A is for alpha-1-antitrypsin! Jody reviews this maybe-not-so-rare genetic disorder that is an important and often overlooked cause of mostly lung and liver disease. References: 1) Stoller, J.K. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and natural history of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestatio…

Jody reviews a recent Special Communication from JAMA about a 2024 update of medical malpractice standards from the American Law Institute. Reference: Aaron DG, Robertson CT, King LP, Sage WM. A New Legal Standard for Medical Malpractice. JAMA. Published online February 26, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.0097…

Jody shares what he learned at this year's Huntsville Hospital Cardiology Update, held on Saturday, February 8th, 2025 at the UA Huntsville College of Nursing. Links: 1) UA Huntsville CON Golden Gala 2) WHO 2003 Pulmonary Hypertension Guidelines 3) BMPR2 Gene Mutations 4) 2022 ESC/ERS 3 Strata Risk Score Calculator for Pulmonary Hypertension…

Jody shares some gruesome details of his professional encounters with death.

Justin Gallien is an oncology nurse at Tristar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He and Jody discuss how we deal with death as healthcare providers and human beings.

Sometimes patients say things that really make you think.

The ADPH Substance Misuse Summit was held on January 14th, 2025 at Frazier Church in Montgomery, AL. The event was sponsored by Alabama Department of Public Health, Auburn University, COACH, and University of South Alabama. The keynote speaker was Dr. Ben Carson (yes...THAT Dr. Ben Carson). References & Links: Auburn University COACH Center CDC OD2…

Alaina Peterson is a nursing instructor at Calhoun Community College. She talks with Jody about implementing change in an educational setting and her philosophy about education in general.

Jody discusses (mostly rants about) how health insurance influences the US healthcare system from a primary care perspective.

Mary McCulloch returns to share memorable stories from her career in law enforcement.

Jody reviews diabetes management in primary care. ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes 2025

Jody's review of this short critical care guidebook focused on using capnography as part of patient assessment and management.

Mary McCulloch shares the story of how she was left with debilitating chronic pain and few answers after enduring multiple knee surgeries over several years. When they say there's a chance of having a bad outcome even from a routine surgery, this is what they're talking about.

Jody discusses how politics and medicine are intertwined and how he deals with political issues in the context of individual patient encounters.

Medical errors are a common cause of harm to patients. In this episode of Critical Incident from Knowledgeable Provider, Jody recalls some of his own errors in the hope of encouraging all medical professionals to be honest and transparent about mistakes. References: 1) Rodziewicz TL, Houseman B, Vaqar S, et al. Medical Error Reduction and Preventio…

Cindy Hutchens describes her experiences living with SLE and her interactions with the healthcare system along the way. Resources & References 1) Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) 2) The Lupus Book by Daniel Wallace 3) LFA Mid-South Chapter, Nashville, TN 4) LFA Walk to End Lupus Now 5) Jog NR, James JA. Epstein Barr Virus and Autoimmune Responses …

No matter what area of medicine you work in, you are saving lives and improving your patients' quality of life. Sometimes that happens in dramatic fashion and sometimes you might not even notice it happening at all. In this episode, Jody recalls his experiences on the ambulance, in the hospital, and in the primary care clinic.…

Dr. Todd Oyen returns to discuss his personal experience living with CMT. As it happens, September is CMT awareness month so this is the perfect time to share this special conversation. Links: 1) Charcot Marie Tooth Association 2) Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation 3) Muscular Dystrophy Association 4) World Tang Soo Do Association 5) Oyen's North Ala…

Apparently Jody doesn't know how to let it go. Listen as he rants about incidents from the distant past that still get under his skin. If you observe Festivus, consider this an early airing of grievances. Sound effects by Voicemod.

The new PCAB Voquenza (vonoprazan) is being marketed as a superior alternative to PPI therapy for acid-related conditions (GERD with or without erosive esophagitis, H. pylori eradication). Are these two mechanisms of action really that different? Jody investigates. References: 1) Prescriber information: https://www.phathompharma.com/wp-content/uplo…

During the week prior to Hurricane Ike making landfall in Texas, paramedics from all over the country helped evacuate patients from the storm's path. In this episode of Critical Incident from Knowledgeable Provider, Jody shares his personal experiences from that response.

It's back-to-school time! Are you ready? Jody shares his suggestions for passing those exams with flying colors. How To Study A Textbook by Tom Meyer

The sad story of a patient whose diagnosis was delayed until it was too late.

Requested by KP listeners! An update on a patient from the previous prostate cancer episode and a deep dive into the history of prostate cancer screening. References: Kazuto, I. et al. Screening for prostate cancer: History, evidence, controversies and future perspectives toward individualized screening. International journal of urology. 2019; 26(1…

Angie Carmody is an American Sign Language interpreter with Huntsville City Schools in Huntsville, Alabama. She talks with Jody about her years of experience in the field and offers some helpful insights about communicating with deaf people. Links: Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Deaf Access Solutions Stayawhile Cabin Rental (Vrbo) Stayawh…

Jody reviews lipid management for primary care.Sources & Links:Pignone, M. & Cannon, C.P. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering therapy in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. UpToDate.⁠AHA/ACC 2018 Cholesterol Management Guidelines⁠Canadian PEER Lipid Practice GuidelinesTriglycerides (Mayo Clinic)Cholesterol Basics (Johns Hopki…

Dr. Oyen and Jody swap "war stories" from their EMS careers. Crazy codes, celebrity encounters, the Olympics, hurricanes, non-human patients; you really never know what you're going to run into out in the field.

Jody shares his general approach to managing hypertension in primary care. Links: 2020 IHS Hypertension Guidelines 2023 EHS Hypertension Guideline Update Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Hypertension

Michael David Smith is the former director of the Colbert County, AL Emergency Management Agency. He speaks with Jody about the agency's role during both day-to-day operations and large-scale disasters.