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.