Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, with an incidence rate that increases by around 4% every year. This disease can have a debilitating impact on quality of life, from daily functioning to mental health and wellbeing.

In this episode of The Round Up, host Dr Elissa Hatherly talks with public neurologist Dr Kim Forrest from the Cairns region. Dr Forrest delves into prevalence and risk factors, medication strategies, common side effects, and the importance of bowel health in Parkinson’s care. She also highlights the crucial role of exercise, mental activity, and allied health partnerships in slowing disease progression and supporting quality of life.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional or simply looking to understand more about Parkinson’s, this episode is packed with practical advice and compassionate insights to support those living with this condition.

In Australia, geriatric depression is an often overlooked crisis, with estimates indicating up to 50% of seniors in aged care facilities suffer from significant depressive symptoms. As our population ages, addressing this pressing issue becomes crucial for improving the quality of life for older Australians and ensuring they receive the mental health support they need.

In this episode of The Round Up, host Dr Elissa Hatherly talks with Dr Alok Rana, a psychiatrist specialising in geriatric depression. They discuss the challenges faced by clinicians in identifying and addressing mental health issues within this vulnerable population and how to spot the signs and symptoms that may present differently from younger patients.

With practical insights and a compassionate perspective, this episode aims to equip clinicians with the tools to better understand and support their elderly patients in navigating mental health challenges.

Acne is a widespread issue, affecting an estimated 80% of adolescents and young adults. Treating patients with acne can take up a surprisingly large amount of your time as a clinician in primary care.

Join NQRTH Round Up host, Dr Elissa Hatherly, as she discusses all things acne with Dr Ilsphi Browne, a dermatologist based in Cairns. Dr Browne discusses how primary healthcare practitioners can be more proactive in treating acne, from patient education to a range of innovative treatment options now available.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that can present with debilitating pain and sub-fertility. Approximately 10% of women suffer from endometriosis at some point in their life. There is growing awareness amongst patients and healthcare professionals alike, and yet this 'silent' condition is still prone to being missed or undermanaged.

Join NQRTH Round Up host, Dr Elissa Hatherly, as she discusses endometriosis with Dr Wojciech Szubert, an endometriosis specialist who has recently moved to Mackay from the United Kingdom. Dr Szubert covers a range of topics on this chronic condition, from prevalence, diagnosis, co-morbidities and treatment.

Psoriatic arthritis may seem like an obscure condition, but it affects more people than many primary healthcare practitioners may realise. An estimated 200,000 Australians are living with psoriatic arthritis, with symptoms of painful 'flare-ups' that can range from mild to debilitating. It also may be affecting much younger patients than you would expect, with the onset of symptoms generally occurring between the ages of 30 and 50. While the condition isn't curable, there are treatments available to limit the impact on your patient's quality of life.

Join NQRTH Round Up host, Dr Elissa Hatherly, as she discusses all things psoriatic arthritis with Dr Anna Kermond, a rheumatology registrar in Cairns. Dr Kermond covers a variety of important topics, including: prevalence, diagnosis, co-morbidities and next steps for treatment.

An ever-increasing phenomenon, paediatric allergies can lead to unexpected considerations and challenges in primary care. Studies have shown around 10 per cent of children have an allergy, a figure that increases to 30 per cent in children with eczema. With incidence continuing to rise, the treatment of allergies and its complications is something every healthcare practitioner should feel comfortable managing.

Join NQRTH Round Up host, Dr Elissa Hatherly, as she discusses food allergies in children with Dr Peter Bourke. Dr Bourke is a consultant physician at Cairns Hospital, a clinical immunologist, and an allergist. This episode covers a range of important topics all clinicians should be taking into account when treating a child with allergies:

• Identifying common (and uncommon) presenting symptoms.
• Important considerations during history taking.
• Managing parents' expectations and anxieties around the risks associated with allergies.
• Discussing current best treatments and next steps.
• The latest evidence on how the incidence and treatment of allergies.
• Busting common myths in the community about food allergies in children.

Choosing the best and most accessible contraception for patients isn't always straightforward, especially in rural and remote areas. Primary healthcare practitioners must balance patient expectations, safety, and other considerations to get the best outcome for their patients.

In the first episode for season 3 of the Round Up, your host Dr Elissa Hatherly discusses contraception with Dr Kaylene Girgenti, a rural generalist based in Townsville. Dr Girgenti specialises in women's health, having trained in obstetrics and gynaecology, and works in practice and hospitals across rural north Queensland. She covers a range of topics important for primary health care practitioners, from accessibility to fertility implications and managing patient expectations.

In our final episode for Season 2 and for 2023, we're discussing an issue that's on the rise in northern Queensland and across the world. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a largely preventable disease that is an ever-increasing presentation in primary healthcare settings and is often not caught until advanced stages.

Join the Round Up host, Dr Elissa Hatherly as she chats with Dr Tahira Scott, a nephrologist based in Cairns who treats Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the Cape and Torres region. Dr Scott discusses some of the shocking statistics on CKD, current and future diagnosis and treatment, and why 'Time is Kidney' when it comes to addressing this rising health concern.