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Primary Care Update

Primary Care Update

By Mark Ebell

Four healthily skeptical primary care physicians discuss the latest in primary care medicine. Join Essential Evidence Editor Mark Ebell MD, Rush University's Kate Rowland MD, MSU Professor of Medicine Gary Ferenchick MD, and POEMs co-founder Henry Barry MD, MS for this fast-paced weekly update on evidence-based primary care.
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Episode 201: HPV collection, Tramadol, anticoag after ablation, and COVID vaccines

Primary Care UpdateFeb 27, 2026
00:00
32:40
Episode 204: lowering triglycerides, cannabinoids for pain, managing AF + stent, and lower LDL targets for CAD
Apr 14, 202634:29
Episode 203: melatonin for dementia, new PE guidelies, inhaled steroids for asthma

Episode 203: melatonin for dementia, new PE guidelies, inhaled steroids for asthma

This week, primary care physicians Henry Barry, Gary Ferenchick and Mark Ebell discuss several new studies: melatonin for older adults with cognitive impairment, new pulmonary embolism guidelines, and inhaled corticosteroid dosing for children and adults with asthma. Kate has the week off.


Apr 05, 202628:54
Episode 202: Repatha for prevention, baby lotions to prevent eczema, opioids for kid pain, and treatment of appendicitis

Episode 202: Repatha for prevention, baby lotions to prevent eczema, opioids for kid pain, and treatment of appendicitis

This week, primary care docs Mark, Kate, Henry and Gary discuss skin lotions to prevent eczema, adding an opioid to ibuprofen for kids with acute injuries, evolocumab (Repatha) for very high risk persons, and 10 year follow-up of antibiotics vs surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis.

Mar 18, 202634:16
Episode 201: HPV collection, Tramadol, anticoag after ablation, and COVID vaccines

Episode 201: HPV collection, Tramadol, anticoag after ablation, and COVID vaccines

This week, we cover a range of topics: urinary vs cervical HPV collection, the benefits and harms of Tramadol, whether patients need anticoagulation after successful ablation for afib, and the ongoing value of COVID vaccines in the omicron era. Plus a quiz: is TAVR now indicated for everyone with severe aortic stenosis? Stay tuned!

Feb 27, 202632:40
Episode 200: implant bleeding, introducing yourself, avoiding LP for infants, anticoag for AF with stroke

Episode 200: implant bleeding, introducing yourself, avoiding LP for infants, anticoag for AF with stroke

Join primary care faculty Kate Rowland, Gary Ferenchick, Henry Barry and Mark Ebell as they discuss 4 practice changing studies: norethindrone acetate for uterine bleeding with the contraceptive implant, introducing yourself to a new patient, avoiding LPs in febrile infants, and antithrombotic strategies after ischemic stroke with AF and atherosclerosis. And an Olympic quiz!


Feb 16, 202633:04
Episode 199: GIPs, risk based breast CA screening, 1 vs 2 doses HPV vaccine, and surgery for shoulder impingement

Episode 199: GIPs, risk based breast CA screening, 1 vs 2 doses HPV vaccine, and surgery for shoulder impingement

Join primary care physicians Kate Rowland, Gary Ferenchick, Henry Barry and Mark Ebell as they discuss 4 new POEMs (Patient Oriented Evidence that Matters): cardiovascular outcomes of GIPs (vs GLP), risk-based breast cancer screening (WISDOM Trial), whether a single dose of HPV vaccine is as good as two, and surgery (or not) for shoulder impingement syndrome. Plus Kate has a great Groundhog Day quiz!


Feb 04, 202628:20
Episode 198: Tirzepatide, using Beers, stent for carotid stenosis, and high dose flu vaccine
Jan 22, 202627:25
Episode 197: tirzepatide for kids, new flu vaccine, bathing for eczema and beta-blockers post-MI

Episode 197: tirzepatide for kids, new flu vaccine, bathing for eczema and beta-blockers post-MI

This week, primary care physicians Kate Rowland, Mark Ebell, Gary Ferenchick and Henry Barry tackle 4 new practice changing studies (POEMs): bathing frequency for people with eczema, tirzepatide in obese children and adolescents with T2DM, a new flu vaccine, and whether beta-blockers still matter after MI.


Jan 07, 202629:12
Episode 196: Med diet, pneumonia guideline, coffee for afib, and meds for agitation in elderly
Dec 24, 202528:26
Episode 195: aspirin or clopidogrel, lipids and dementia, colon CA reminders

Episode 195: aspirin or clopidogrel, lipids and dementia, colon CA reminders

Join Kate, Gary and Mark (Henry has the day off) as we discuss 3 useful new studies: colorectal cancer screening reminders, aspirin or clopidogrel for secondary prevention of CV events, and lipid lowering drugs and dementia risk


Dec 09, 202520:17
Episode 194: CBD safety, HTN guideline, choosing DM drugs, and COVID-19 vax efficacy
Nov 26, 202532:59
Episode 193: Intensive BP lowering, elinzanetant for VMS, HTN in pregnancy and prostate CA screening
Nov 12, 202538:12
Episode 192: anticoag duration, old drugs for insomnia, lower dose Ozempic, and aspirin + anticoag or anticoag alone
Oct 29, 202529:55
Episode 191: acetaminophen, leucovorin, MMR and autism; the value of primary care
Oct 19, 202530:44
Episode 190: flu vaccine & dementia, colchicine for CHD, endometriosis pain and green tea.
Sep 30, 202527:10
Episode 189: asthma rescue, exercise for cancer, digitoxin, and minor stroke treatment

Episode 189: asthma rescue, exercise for cancer, digitoxin, and minor stroke treatment

This week Gary, Kate, Henry and Mark discuss 4 important new studies that are potential POEMs: A new(ish) rescue therapy for asthma, IV thrombolytics for adults with acute minor stroke, whether exercise reduces cancer mortality, and digitoxin (with a t!) as add-on therapy for adults with heart failure.


Sep 10, 202531:29
Episode 188: digital therapy, DKA with SGLT2s, esketamine for resistant depression, and what is a normal TSH
Aug 29, 202532:58
Episode 187: incidental activity, a new definition of Alzheimers, blood test for CRC screening, and DORAs for sleep
Aug 12, 202538:09
Episode 186: wound care, migraine tx, breast CA screening, and metformin for OA
Jul 31, 202531:55
Episode 185: resistant HTN tx, mirtazepine for sleep, baloxav for prevention, PRP for OA
Jul 16, 202532:60
Episode 184: new UTI antibiotic, fibromyalgia tx, trial of an MCED, and the best time for HTN meds
Jul 02, 202538:15
Episode 183: triple inhaler for COPD, managing pain in kids, and suzetrigine for pain

Episode 183: triple inhaler for COPD, managing pain in kids, and suzetrigine for pain

This week, join Kate, Mark and Henry as they discuss all in one triple inhalers for COPD, the best medication for pain management in children and suzetrigine, a new medicine for acute pain in adults. Gary is off this week, working on his French lessons. And we add intro music! Yay!

Jun 18, 202526:25
Episode 182: atrial appendage occlusion for AF, oral semaglutide, and epidural steroidsand

Episode 182: atrial appendage occlusion for AF, oral semaglutide, and epidural steroidsand

Join Mark, Henry, and Gary (we are Kate-less unfortunately this week) for discussion of epidural steroid injections for adults with radicular back pain, post a fib ablation management, and oral semaglutide for high-risk patients with Type 2 DM


Jun 04, 202528:48
Episode 181: wipes to prevent foot ulcer, tirzepatide efficacy,
May 21, 202531:08
Episode 180: dance benefits, POCUS for clavicles, treating BV, and prehab
May 13, 202531:13
Episode 179: novel migraine tx, safety of albuterol in infants, new UTI antibiotic, and vitamin K2 for leg cramps
Apr 22, 202532:07
Episode 178: tapering benzos, neuro testing for athletes, vonoprazan for PUD, and zoster-dementia link
Apr 08, 202534:25
Episode 177: steroids and CV risk, dementia guideline, fezolinetant for VMS, and osteoporosis screening

Episode 177: steroids and CV risk, dementia guideline, fezolinetant for VMS, and osteoporosis screening

This week Gary, Mark, Kate and Henry discuss: adverse effects from inhaled steroids in asthma, Italian dementia guideline, fezolinetant for treatment of vasomotor symptoms, and updated USPSTF recommendations for osteoporosis screening.

Show notes and links:

Asthma and risk of CV events: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39088770/

GINA 2024 guidelines: https://ginasthma.org/2024-report/

Italian dementia guidelines: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39544104 with link to full report in Inglese: https://www.iss.it/documents/d/guest/the-full-guideline-english-version

Fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39557487/

USPSTF osteoporosis screening guideline: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39808425/

Dietary assessment tool: https://epi.grants.cancer.gov/asa24/

Article on interval for next BMD screening based on initial result: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22256806/


Mar 26, 202531:11
Episode 176: bright lights, fever in kids, new anticoagulant for AF, and antibiotics for appendicitis
Mar 12, 202528:16
Episode 175: RSV monoclonals, acupuncture for sciatica, zoledronate in low risk women, and measuring BP at home.
Feb 26, 202532:41
Episode 174: sexual dysfunction, GLP-1 benefits, surveillance for DCIS, episodic migraine prevention
Feb 12, 202531:12
Episode 173: prenatal cannabis use, fluids in sickle crisis, single or dual tx for AF plus CAD, and exercise for weight loss.

Episode 173: prenatal cannabis use, fluids in sickle crisis, single or dual tx for AF plus CAD, and exercise for weight loss.

This week, join Kate, Mark, Gary and Henry as they discuss 4 new studies: prenatal cannabis exposure, fluid resuscitation during acute sickle crises, edoxaban or edoxaban + ASA for afib with CAD, and the impact of aerobic exercise on weight loss in adults


Feb 03, 202529:03
Episode 172: mindfulness for pain, methotrexate and resveratrol for OA, and eradicating HP
Jan 15, 202523:56
Episode 171: obesity in babies, DOACs after stroke, semaglutide for OA, and thunderclap headaches
Jan 06, 202528:12
Episode 170: yoga for incontinence, muscle relaxants for pain, maternal cannabis use, and GLP-1 v. surgery
Dec 16, 202429:24
Episode 169: migraine, plantar fasciitis, beta-blocker duration and prostate cancer
Dec 04, 202428:37
Episode 168: RSV med, colonoscopy by PCP, hair loss drug, and AI for ECGs
Nov 18, 202424:26
Episode 167: laughter, HP eradication, antibiotics for delirium, and MRIs of the knee
Nov 06, 202427:50
Episode 166: vaping cessation, BP meds and dementia, SGLT-2's, and AI for melanoma
Oct 23, 202429:20
Episode 165: psychedelics for depression, preventing and treating influenza, and GLP-2 for...sleep apnea?

Episode 165: psychedelics for depression, preventing and treating influenza, and GLP-2 for...sleep apnea?

It's biscuit week, oops, I mean flu week here on the Great Primary Care Update. Join our bakers, I mean POETs, as they discuss preventing influenza, treating severe influenza, psychedelics for depression, and GLP-1 agonists to treat sleep apnea of all things.

Oct 08, 202434:15
Episode 164: HTN in kids, steroids for hip OA, drugs for T2DM, and AI to develop guidelines

Episode 164: HTN in kids, steroids for hip OA, drugs for T2DM, and AI to develop guidelines

This week, Gary, Henry, Kate and Mark discuss CV events in children with hypertension, intra-articular steroid injections in adults with hip DJD, the best drug classes for treating adults with T2DM, and AI supported development of practice guideline questions. And a quiz, and two sports stories from Henry!


Sep 24, 202432:38
Episode 163: salt substitutes, VR apps for pain, multivitamins, and vitamin D

Episode 163: salt substitutes, VR apps for pain, multivitamins, and vitamin D

This week join Kate, Mark, Henry and Gary for a discussion of the cardiovascular benefits of salt substitutes, using virtual reality for cancer-related pain, whether multivitamins reduce mortality, and if and when to recommend vitamin D supplements.


Sep 11, 202429:25
Episode 162: PREVENT risk score, UTI prognosis, sinusitis treatment, and biomarkers for SDAT

Episode 162: PREVENT risk score, UTI prognosis, sinusitis treatment, and biomarkers for SDAT

This week, Kate, Mark, Gary and Henry tackle 4 new studies: the updated PREVENT cardiovascular disease risk calculators from the AHA, long-term consequences of UTIs in children, antibiotics for sinusitis in kids, and biomarkers to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease


Aug 29, 202433:53
Episode 161: Antibiotics for CAP, melatonin for delirium, screening for lung disease, and seizures after COVID vaccine

Episode 161: Antibiotics for CAP, melatonin for delirium, screening for lung disease, and seizures after COVID vaccine

This week, join Kate, Gary, Mark and Henry as they discuss screening asymptomatic people for COPD and asthma, the rate of new onset seizures after COVID vaccination, choosing the best oral antibiotic for mild to moderate CAP, and a trail of melatonin for delirium in older, hospitalized adults


Aug 15, 202430:53
Episode 160: prostate meds and dementia, umbilical hernias, mortality for infections, and AF detection

Episode 160: prostate meds and dementia, umbilical hernias, mortality for infections, and AF detection

This week, Kate, Mark, Henry and Gary tackle the association between prostate medications and lower dementia risk, the natural history of umbilical hernias in children, differential mortality for flu, RSV and COVID, and what to do about device-detected atrial fibrillation.


Aug 05, 202426:22
Episode 159: DAPT duration, starting contraception, krill oil for OA, and misdiagnosis of CAP

Episode 159: DAPT duration, starting contraception, krill oil for OA, and misdiagnosis of CAP

This week, join Kate, Henry, Gary and Mark as they discuss same-day start contraception, krill oil for adults with knee DJD, misdiagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia, and ticagrelor + placebo VS ticagrelor + ASA after PCI. Plus some book recommendations: Whalefall, The Demon of Unrest, and the Commissario Brunetti novels by Donna Leon



Jul 17, 202429:59
Episode 158: dequalinium for BV, mammography, weight loss drugs, and tirzepatide for OSA

Episode 158: dequalinium for BV, mammography, weight loss drugs, and tirzepatide for OSA

Happy 4th of July! This week Kate, Gary, Henry and Mark celebrate by talking about dequalinium for bacterial vaginosis, the comparative effectiveness of weight loss drugs, the new USPSTF mammography recommendation, and tirzepatide for adults with sleep apnea.


Jul 03, 202428:40
Episode 157: Bleeding risk with AF, treating minor ischemic stroke, and beta-blockers after AMI

Episode 157: Bleeding risk with AF, treating minor ischemic stroke, and beta-blockers after AMI

It's cardiovascular day at Primary Care Update as Kate, Mark and Henry discuss bleeding risk with diltiazem in treatment for atrial fibrillation, whether alteplase improves outcomes in patients with minor ischemic stroke, and whether to continue beta-blockers long-term after acute MI with preserved ejection fraction.


Jun 19, 202427:21
Episode 156: APAP in pregnancy, AI for AOM, current use of Paxlovid, and CGM for T2DM

Episode 156: APAP in pregnancy, AI for AOM, current use of Paxlovid, and CGM for T2DM

This week, Kate, Gary, Mark and Henry discuss 4 new studies that answer some important questions: Does acetaminophen in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring? Can AI accurately diagnose otitis media in children? Is nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) still an effective treatment for outpatients with mild to moderate COVID? And finally, what are the benefits and harms of continuous glucose monitoring in patients with type 2 diabetes.


Jun 05, 202435:35
Episode 155: wrist imaging, opioids post-op, rate vs rhythm control, and updated Cologuard,

Episode 155: wrist imaging, opioids post-op, rate vs rhythm control, and updated Cologuard,

This week, Kate, Gary, Henry and Mark discuss 4 new studies: a decision support tool for imaging wrist injuries, how many opioids should be dispensed after ACL reconstruction, an updated fecal DNA + FIT test for colon cancer screening, and rate vs. rhythm control and the risk of dementia/cognitive decline. And a quiz about...cicadas! Bzzzz. 


May 22, 202431:00