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Medcast news and blog

Gas trapping & breath stacking - What is your asthmatic patient telling you?

This article explores the risks and management of dynamic hyperinflation in mechanically ventilated patients with status asthmaticus. It outlines causes such as airway obstruction and bronchospasm, and provides strategies for adjusting ventilation settings to minimise gas trapping, support cardiac function, and reduce complications like pneumothorax and systemic hypotension.

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Atrial fibrillation stroke prevention - clinical fact sheet and MCQ
Atrial fibrillation stroke prevention - clinical fact sheet and MCQ
Quality Use of Medicines Alliance

This is the second FastTrack on atrial fibrillation (AF). Part 1 described the diagnosis, initial assessment of AF, and indications for urgent review. This FastTrack describes the approach to setting a management strategy using risk calculators, how to assess and reduce risk factors, and long term monitoring of patients with AF.

Ready - Set - Resus
Ready - Set - Resus
Susan Helmrich

While cardiac arrest is often a rare event, the high stakes nature means we need to be able to respond instinctively, ensuring immediate effective action when it matters most. How do you stay prepared in-between ALS or PALS courses?

Major depression - clinical fact sheet & MCQ
Major depression - clinical fact sheet & MCQ
Quality Use of Medicines Alliance

Best-practice treatment of depression no longer considers pharmacotherapy as the default first-line therapy for many patients. In this FastTrack activity, you will update your knowledge of evidence-based interventions for major depression, including when to consider medications and when to cease them. Complete the quiz to receive 30mins EA and 30mins RP CPD.

Understanding chronic pain in veterans: a guide for primary care providers
Understanding chronic pain in veterans: a guide for primary care providers
Dr Catherine Eltringham

Almost 90% of veterans report suffering from pain on transitioning out of military service and service-related injuries are often implicated. Open Arms and DVA have developed resources to support them and guide your care. Management includes education, non-medical interventions, allied health support, and selective medical treatments. Addressing mental health is crucial.

Critical care nutrition: enteral vs parenteral recommendations for the ICU patient
Critical care nutrition: enteral vs parenteral recommendations for the ICU patient
Susan Helmrich

Nutrition plays a vital role in the recovery of critically ill patients. Evidence-based recommendations for patients in the ICU focus on the timing, energy requirement and protein targets as well as the role of micronutrients. The route of administration is not always straightforward and best guided by the patient's clinical needs, indications and contraindications.

Atrial fibrillation diagnosis and assessment - clinical fact sheet & MCQ
Atrial fibrillation diagnosis and assessment - clinical fact sheet & MCQ
Quality Use of Medicines Alliance

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common and significantly impacts mortality, contributing to as many as 1 in 10 deaths in Australia. This FastTrack is the first of two, focusing on the diagnosis and management of AF, from the recommendations on opportunistic screening to identifying comorbidities and precipitating factors. Complete the quiz to earn 30mins EA and 30mins RP CPD.

Supporting veterans’ mental health
Supporting veterans’ mental health
Dr Catherine Eltringham

As veterans transition from military service, they often face significant mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and adjustment difficulties. Managing these complex conditions requires a holistic, long-term approach, and general practitioners (GPs) are in a unique position to support veterans not only through referrals to mental health specialists but also through evidence-based lifestyle interventions that promote resilience and recovery.

Government renews support for the QUM Alliance to tackle major health issues
Government renews support for the QUM Alliance to tackle major health issues
Kate Clutton

The QUM Alliance welcomes new government grants to improve health literacy and medicine safety. Over three years, programs will tackle stroke prevention, osteoporosis, menopause, mental health and multimorbidity. Led by Medcast, the initiative supports health professionals and consumers, building on previous successes to reach priority populations.

Atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention: we can do better
Atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention: we can do better
Quality Use of Medicines Alliance

Too many patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and an elevated risk of stroke are missing out on appropriate long-term anticoagulation, and this puts them at unacceptable risk of catastrophic stroke and death. This makes early detection, use of validated stroke and bleeding risk assessment tools, and prompt initiation of anticoagulation essential.