Primary Care Update

Episod

• 
  Episode 211: semaglutide for AUD, preventing post-vax syncope, PCR panel for RTI, fluvoxamine for long-COVID 15.07.2026 34min

  Join primary care professors Mark Ebell, Kate Rowland, Gary Ferenchick and Henry Barry as they discuss 4 new studies: semaglutide for alcohol use disorder, a vibrating cool pack to prevent post vaccination syncope, PCR for 23 respiratory pathogens in primary care to reduce antibiotic use, and fluvoxamine for Long-COVID Fatigue.LinksSemaglutide for AUD: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42070571/Vibrating cool pack for vaccine syncope: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41692229/ Point of care PCR for acute RTI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42149561/Likelihood that pathogen is commensal vs pathogenic: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39864052/ Fluvoxamine and long COVID: Ann Intern Med. 2026;179(5):621-628  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41911553/
• 
  Episode 210: screen time, stopping levothyroxine, new mRNA flu vaccine, and NAS supplements. 02.07.2026 36min

  This week primary care physicians Kate Rowland, Mark Ebell, Gary Ferenchick and Henry Barry discuss four new studies: screentime for children, discontinuing levothyroxine, a new mRNA flu vaccine from Moderna, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) Supplementation for healthy aging.Links to articles:AAP screen time policyDiscontinuing levothyroxine studymRNA flu vaccine from ModernaNAD supplementsQuiz: Bixomania study
• 
  Episode 209: cocoa, best UTI antibiotic, LAA closure for AF, and evolocumab for primary (sort of) prevention 18.06.2026 38min

  Primary care docs Mark Ebell, Kate Rowland, Henry Barry and Gary Ferenchick tackle 4 new studies: health benefits of cocoa supplements, the best antibiotic for managing uncomplicated UTIs in women, left atrial appendage closure for AF with high bleeding or stroke risk, and evolocumab for primary (sort-of) prevention of MACE in patients with diabetes.Essential Evidence Plus: www.essentialevidenceplus.comhttps://www.iafp.org/2026ac Cocoa and health: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35294962/ Antibiotics for UTI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42026010/ Left atrial appendage closure and AF: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41849741/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41903215/
• 
  Episode 208: drinks with diabetes, new Paxlovid trial, antiplatelet agents in stroke, and dietary advice from the AHA 02.06.2026 32min

  This week, primary care doctors Mark Ebell, Kate Rowland, Henry Barry and Gary Ferenchick discuss four new studies: whether water is better than diet drinks in diabetes, a new RCT of Paxlovid for COVID in contemporary patients, to switch or not to switch antiplatelet agents after a stroke, and the latest AHA 2026 dietary advice for heart health.Drinks for diabetes: ttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41369640/ Antiplatelet agents after stroke on aspirin: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41347302/ New Paxlovid trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42019019/ AHA 2026 dietary guidance: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41914202/
• 
  Episode 207: AI, singing for post-partum depression, and new AHA lipid guidelines 20.05.2026 38min

  This week Kate, Mark and Henry talk about empathetic robots, mother-baby singing groups for postpartum depression, and new American College of Cardiology lipid guidelines.Indiana AFP POEMs course in French Link: https://www.iafp.org/2026ac Empathetic robots: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41359230/ Weekly singing groups for postpartum depression: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41087020/ACC/AHA/etc lipid guidelines: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41824552/A 2025 study in the journal Family Practice finding that the two most trustworthy lipid guidelines recommended against using CAC, while all five less trustworthy guidelines due to poor methods or COI recommended it. Go figure.Smartphones in schools: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41489912/
• 
  Episode 206: biomarkers for dementia, toileting, bleeding risk, and diagnosing volume overload. 06.05.2026 30min

  Join primary care faculty Gary Ferenchick, Kate Rowland, Henry Barry and Mark Ebell as they discuss 4 important new studies: the value (?) Of biomarkers in cognitive impairment, toilet training, bleeding risk with apixaban versus rivaroxaban for VTE, and diagnosing volume overload in adults  from the JAMA Rational Clinical Exam series.
• 
  Episode 205: inhaled steroid dose, titrating GLP-1s, zoster vaccine and dementia, and trusting AI 29.04.2026 36min

  This week, primary care doctors Kate, Gary, Mark and Henry discuss high vs low dose inhaled steroids for high risk patients with asthma, click based semaglutide titration to reduce GI problems, zoster vaccine and dementia risk, and whether we are trusting AI too much.  
• 
  Episode 204: lowering triglycerides, cannabinoids for pain, managing AF + stent, and lower LDL targets for CAD 14.04.2026 34min

  This week primary care physicians Kate Rowland, Mark Ebell, Gary Ferenchick and Henry Barry tackle 4 new POEM-worthy studies: new therapy for elevated triglycerides, cannabinoids for chronic pain in adults, the best antithrombotic for patients with AF + drug eluting cardiac stent, and lower versus standard LDL targets for patients with heart diseaseEssential Evidence Plus: https://www.essentialevidenceplus.com/ Lower triglycerides: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41211918/Cannabinoids for pain: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41429020/ Antithrombotics for AF + stent: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41211917/ LDL target 55 vs 70 for CAD: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41910315/
• 
  Episode 203: melatonin for dementia, new PE guidelies, inhaled steroids for asthma 05.04.2026 28min

  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.
• 
  Episode 202: Repatha for prevention, baby lotions to prevent eczema, opioids for kid pain, and treatment of appendicitis 18.03.2026 34min

  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.
• 
  Episode 201: HPV collection, Tramadol, anticoag after ablation, and COVID vaccines 27.02.2026 32min

  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!
• 
  Episode 200: implant bleeding, introducing yourself, avoiding LP for infants, anticoag for AF with stroke 16.02.2026 33min

  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!
• 
  Episode 199: GIPs, risk based breast CA screening, 1 vs 2 doses HPV vaccine, and surgery for shoulder impingement 04.02.2026 28min

  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!
• 
  Episode 198: Tirzepatide, using Beers, stent for carotid stenosis, and high dose flu vaccine 22.01.2026 27min

  Join Mark, Kate, Henry and Gary as they discuss 4 new POEMs (Patient Oriented Evidence that Matters, studies with the potential to change practice): a summary of the evidence on tirzepatide (Zepbound) for weight loss, using the Beers list with your patients, high vs standard dose flu vaccine and the risk of hospitalization, and whether stent or endarterectomy are better than maximal medical therapy for patients with asymptomatic carotid stensosis. Here are the links:Essential Evidence Plus: www.essentialevidenceplus.comTirzepatide systematic review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41015578/ Tirzepatide vs dulaglutide: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41406444/Applying the Beers list: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40697073/ High vs standard dose flu vaccine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41115437/ Another high dose flu trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39230284/ Asymptomatic carotid stenosis treatment: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41269206/
• 
  Episode 197: tirzepatide for kids, new flu vaccine, bathing for eczema and beta-blockers post-MI 07.01.2026 29min

  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.
• 
  Episode 196: Med diet, pneumonia guideline, coffee for afib, and meds for agitation in elderly 24.12.2025 28min

  Join primary care physicians Kate, Gary, Henry and Mark as they discuss 4 new POEM (Patient Oriented Evidence that Matters), chosen for their potential to change practice and improve patient outcomes: Mediterranean diet to prevent diabetes, an update to the community-acquired pneumonia guideline, coffee or decaf for afib, and safety of meds for acute agitation in the elderly. North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians Conference in Big Sky: https://www.ndafp.org/cme/big-sky-conference/ Essential Evidence Plus and all the POEMs: www.essentialevidenceplus.comMed diet to prevent diabetes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40854218/ Safety of meds for agitation in elderly: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40275439/Updated pneumonia guidelines from ATS/IDSA: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40679934/ Coffee or decaf with afib:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41206802/
• 
  Episode 195: aspirin or clopidogrel, lipids and dementia, colon CA reminders 09.12.2025 20min

  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
• 
  Episode 194: CBD safety, HTN guideline, choosing DM drugs, and COVID-19 vax efficacy 26.11.2025 32min

  This week primary care physicians Gary, Henry, Kate and Mark discuss the safety of CBD, a new guideline for managing adults with hypertension, whether COVID-19 vaccines are still effective, and a living guideline from the BMJ to help us choose the best diabetes drugs. Links to stuffEssential Evidence Plus Illinois Academy of Family Physicians meeting Dec 6 in Naperville, IL (Kate, Gary and Mark)   North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians Big Sky Conference Jan 19 in Big Sky, Montana (Gary and Kate) Safety of CBDACC/AHA Hypertension guidelinePREVENT-CVD risk calculatorEfficacy of COVID-19 vaccinesBMJ living guideline for diabetesBMJ MATCH-IT interactive tool for selecting drugs
• 
  Episode 193: Intensive BP lowering, elinzanetant for VMS, HTN in pregnancy and prostate CA screening 12.11.2025 38min

  Primary care physicians Gary Ferenchick, Kate Rowland, Henry Barry and Mark Ebell want you to know about 4 new studies: the best choice of pharmacotherapy in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, benefits and harms of intensive BP lowering, elinzanetant for therapy-induced vasomotor symptoms in women with breast cancer, and 23 year follow up of the European Prostate Cancer Screening Trial. Plus a confusing quiz question (thanks Gary!).LinksEssential Evidence Plus: www.essentialevidenceplus.comHTN in pregnancy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40216176/Intensive BP lowering: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40902616/ Elinzanetant for vasomotor symptoms in patients taking tamoxifen or anastrozole: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40454634/ 23 year follow-up of large European prostate cancer study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41160819/
• 
  Episode 192: anticoag duration, old drugs for insomnia, lower dose Ozempic, and aspirin + anticoag or anticoag alone 29.10.2025 29min

  This week, Gary, Kate, Mark and Henry discuss the optimal duration of anticoagulation after a provoked DVT, using low doses of mirtazapine or amitriptyline in adults with insomnia, whether a lower dose of semaglutide is still effective for weight loss, and adding aspirin for patients with coronary heart disease, a stent and who are also on a DOAC for another indication.Links:NICE Barrett Esophagus guideline: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38553042/ Essential Evidence Plus: www.essentialevidenceplus.comDuration of anticoagulation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40888734/ Mirtazapine or amitriptyline for insomnia: ttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39814428/ Lower dose semaglutide for obesity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40934115/ Adding aspirin: N Engl J Med . 2025 Oct 23;393(16):1578-1588https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40888725/