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Good Clinical

Good Clinical

Written by: Charles Beasley
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 The world of emerging medical technologies is vast and continuously evolving.

Join host Charles Beasley as he discusses the future of medicine and human health with the best and brightest in these fields.

New episodes weekly.

#goodclinical #goodclinicalpodcast #goodclinicalnetwork #goodclinicalexplains #goodclinicaleventsHendrik Clinical Research Consulting Ltd Biological Sciences Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Politics & Government Science
Episodes
  • Ep 43 - A/Prof Rodger Tiedemann - NZ's Medicines Deficit: Why are Kiwis Missing Out?

    Ep 43 - A/Prof Rodger Tiedemann - NZ's Medicines Deficit: Why are Kiwis Missing Out?
    Jan 20 2025
    In this weeks episode I sit down with A/Prof Rodger Tiedemann, a Consultant Haematologist, A/Prof of Medicine, Researcher, and advocate for medicines access and clinical trials in New Zealand.

    We begin by chatting about Rodgers involvement in multiple myeloma research and the treatment landscape, and how targeted therapies have improved survival rates for this type of cancer.

    We then centre the discussion on the challenges facing New Zealand's healthcare system, particularly in terms of access to modern medicines and clinical trials.

    New Zealand's funding for medicines is significantly lower compared to other countries with comparative GDPs, and we have a large 10 year deficit in access to new cancer treatments for Kiwi patients.

    For example, we rank 30th in GDP per capita from 218 countries. By this measure of national income, we fall between Germany and the UK, and ahead of France, Italy and Japan. However, while those countries each reimbursed 119-165 new medicines between 2016-2021, New Zealand reimbursed only 17... This lack of access also impacts clinical trial availability, as trials often require patients to have already received standard-of-care treatments, which may not even be funded yet in New Zealand. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies are less inclined to bring clinical trials to NZ, further limiting options for our patients. So what needs to be done to fix this?

    A significant frameshift in drug funding is critical for NZ. The valuation and budgeting of healthcare, increased funding for medicines, and the understanding of how this would benefit the NZ economy due to second- and third-order effects of new medicines (I.e., lower healthcare spending, faster time returning to work etc.). This would not only improve patient outcomes but also attract more clinical trials, which could also bring economic benefit.

    You can find out more about A/Prof Rodger Tiedemann here:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodger-tiedemann-a2306580/

    𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒:- cancer treatment, blood cancers, multiple myeloma, immunotherapy, medicine access, New Zealand healthcare, clinical trials, haematology, cancer research
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    43 mins
  • Ep 42 - Professor John Windsor - From Concept to Clinic: Innovating Post-Surgical Recovery

    Ep 42 - Professor John Windsor - From Concept to Clinic: Innovating Post-Surgical Recovery
    Dec 18 2024
    Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series.

    In this episode meet Professor John Windsor, a Consultant Surgeon, Professor of Surgery, and Director of the Surgical & Translational Research Centre at The University of Auckland. Our conversation focuses on the development of the Limpet drainage device at AperCure Surgical, a research-focused company aiming to commercialise radiological and surgical drain devices.

    The Limpet device has been designed to overcome the problems that stem from the discomfort and risks that patients face when standard percutaneous drains are used post-surgery. Typically, these drains, secured with stitches to prevent dislodgement, cause discomfort and pain, and if they come loose, it requires another procedure to reinsert them.

    The Limpet device aims to offer a more secure and comfortable alternative to traditional post-surgical drainage methods. We talk about how the device uses flexible materials that conform to the body, making it easier for patients to lie on and reducing discomfort during recovery.

    A key innovation is that the device also protects the drain's path, minimising the risk of snagging, kinking, or compression, which can lead to further complications. The product also focuses on making it easier to care for the wound site, thus reducing the risk of infections and improving the overall patient experience during recovery.

    You can find out more about Professor John Windsor here:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-a-windsor-013b9725/

    Podcast Takeaways:
    1. Prof John Windsor has had an extensive career in medicine, surgical practice, academics, and Med Tech. His experience has driven him to focus on improving patient care, particularly addressing issues with surgical procedures and post-operative recovery. He discusses his transition into the field of medical innovation, where his interest in solving real-world clinical problems led to the development of medical devices aimed at improving patient outcomes.
    2. We talk about how certain unmet clinical needs, particularly in surgical drainage, prompted the development of the Limpet device. Surgeons noticed the discomfort and complications caused by traditional drainage methods, which led to research and innovation aimed at improving patient care. The Limpet device is undergoing trials in volunteers to ensure that it meets the standards required for later-phase trials and routine clinical use.
    3. We chat about the importance of collaboration between surgeons and engineers in the development of medical devices. Surgeons bring practical, real-world clinical knowledge, while engineers provide the technical expertise to design solutions that address the specific challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers.
    4. We also discuss the evolution of surgery from open procedures to minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery allows for smaller incisions, faster recovery times, and reduced risks of infection, marking a significant shift in surgical practices.
    Timestamps:
    00:00 Introduction
    02:49 The Journey from Surgery to Research
    06:10 The Evolution of Surgical Techniques
    08:54 Translational Research and Clinical Observations
    12:00 Innovative Approaches to Organ Failure
    14:50 Developing the AperCure Limpet Device
    26:33 Clinical Trials and Product Development
    31:35 Business Considerations in MedTech
    37:11 Future Directions and Advice for Innovators

    medtech, surgical research, translational research, innovation, clinical trials, organ failure, bioengineering, medical devices, entrepreneurship, healthcare, surgery, surgical care
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    41 mins
  • Ep 41 - Dr Patrick McHugh - Heart Rate Variability and its Role in Mental Health

    Ep 41 - Dr Patrick McHugh - Heart Rate Variability and its Role in Mental Health
    Dec 9 2024
    Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series. In this latest episode meet Dr Patrick McHugh, a general practitioner located in Tairāwhiti, Gisborne.

    Patrick plays a role in several different organisations including Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti, Mātai Medical Research Institute, and the iwi health provider Turanga Health, where he's involved in a project exploring a heart-based mindfulness approach to assist individuals to manage their anxiety and improve their mental health.

    Our conversation focuses on heart rate variability (HRV), where studies have demonstrated that a low HRV is associated with aging and a decline in health. HRV measures the variability in the time between heartbeats, and higher variability is associated with better health and resilience, both physical and mental.

    HRV can be analysed to give an indication of activity in the sympathetic nervous system as a proxy marker for degrees of stress. Heart-based mindfulness practices, which involve techniques such as developing an observer state and using the heart as a centre of consciousness, aim to increase HRV and improve emotional regulation.

    Podcast Takeaways:
    1. Patrick's project with Turanga Health aims to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a heart-based mindfulness intervention for adults with anxiety disorders in primary healthcare settings.
    2. HRV is a key measure of health, particularly mental health. Higher HRV is linked to better adaptability and emotional resilience, while low HRV is often associated with stress, anxiety, and poor mental well-being.
    3. The heart and mind are deeply interconnected, and heart-based mindfulness practices can help regulate emotional states by increasing HRV, leading to better mental and physical health outcomes.
    4. HRV can be used as a proxy to measure the balance between the sympathetic (stress) and parasympathetic (calm) nervous systems, providing insights into an individuals stress levels and emotional health.
    Timestamps:
    00:00 Introduction
    01:11 Dr. Patrick McHugh's Background and Roles
    01:43 Understanding Heart Rate Variability
    06:37 The Connection Between Heart and Brain
    08:47 The Importance of Mindfulness 10:28 Impact of Mental Health
    12:06 Research on Heart Rate Variability and Mindfulness
    15:02 Heart-Based Mindfulness Approach
    18:30 The Integration of Medicine and Mind-Body Connection
    21:52 Future Project Prospects & Group-Based Interventions
    28:43 The Importance of Human Interaction for Mental Health
    32:34 Future Research Directions and Projects
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    35 mins
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