Severe asthma is a serious problem that places a heavy burden on individuals and on their families. In Australia, seven out of 10 patients with severe asthma say they are impaired at work, and three out of 10 say they’ve missed work due to their health. The recent availability of targeted biologics has changed the treatment approach for patients with severe asthma.  So what do GPs need to know?

Mental health issues have been described as a potential ‘second wave’ of the COVID-19 pandemic with many Australians struggling during the lockdown, and men in particular may be reluctant to seek help when they are having problems like anxiety and relationship issues. When men do present with low physical, mental and sexual energy, it may be appropriate to investigate whether low testosterone levels could be the cause….

Recurrent lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) are so common in the community, although they’re sometimes difficult to recognise at first. We’ve all had those patients that have presented two, maybe three times in a year with a UTI, and we need to be on the lookout for when these patients cross over into being classified as having recurrent lower UTIs because a different treatment approach might be needed.

GPs will often identify psychotic symptoms in their patients and be responsible for considering antipsychotic therapy in patients who are treatment naïve. In this interview we look at the considerations that are important when we are contemplating treatment choice.

In this interview we discuss major depressive disorder (MDD) in all its complexity and the challenge it presents to us. MDD not only impacts a patient’s mood, but also their social lives, their professional lives and of course their family and other relationships. We discuss these issues in the setting of treatment choices and the importance of identifying and treating the constellation of MDD symptoms in practice.

This interview is now out of date [22.6.2026]. Please contact us if you require access to the audio.

This audio file contains all 6 interviews on this edition.

• Track 1, Do we really know what is happening with our asthmatic patients?
• Track 2, Managing patients on mepolizumab for severe asthma in the general practice setting
• Track 3, Managing men’s health during the pandemic
• Track 4, Recurrent UTIs and prophylaxis in the era of antibiotic resistance
• Track 5, Treating schizophrenia and involving patients in treatment decisions in GP practice
• Track 6, The importance of treating the constellation of major depressive disorder symptoms in GP practice

To view reference lists or product information please go to the individual tracks.

When managing osteoporosis, we’re dealing with a very vulnerable cohort of patients, older patients, patients at risk of fractures, patients we don’t want in hospitals, and these patients also are the COVID-19 cohort of concern. Patients may not believe that osteoporosis treatment and prevention is high on their list when they’re so preoccupied with concerns about getting sick, but we as their treating doctors need to emphasise the importance of continuous treatment and facilitate measures to help patients keep it as simple as possible.

With more than 90% of teenagers aged 16 to 18 years in Australia suffering from acne, we GPs certainly see a lot of this condition. It’s so important that we treat acne early, it can improve quality of life, it can improve psycho-social upset, it can improve self-confidence, self-esteem and prevent scarring. In this interview we discuss the current landscape in acne management.

When treating hypertension, we’re not treating the patient to lower their blood pressure, we’re treating the patient to lower their risk, we’re trying to prevent a heart attack, a stroke, heart failure or dying, so it’s all about treating them well and treating them as best as possible. Prof. Sindone talks through his advice and tips on the management of hypertension.

GPs are on the front line when it comes to treating depression, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. In this interview we discuss the CHEER index which taps into both positively and negatively valenced mood, and can easily be brought into a clinical discussion to assess if our patients have returned to their usual ability to both enjoy things, but also grieve or feel sadness appropriately.