Mastering Migraine Care: Dr Deborah Kerr’s 3‑Part Podcast Course for GPs

Breaking: GP With Extended Headache Role Launches Three-Part Migraine Management Podcourse

A frontline general practitioner with a specialized role in headache care has unveiled a three-part, case-based podcourse focused on migraine prophylaxis and management. The course is designed for clinicians seeking practical, patient-centered strategies to support those living with migraine.

The initiative centers on a hypothetical patient named “Simone” and offers real-world guidance for primary care teams. The presenter,a GP based in Kings Langley and linked with a national headache center,walks readers through self-management tips that clinicians can relay to patients.

Central to the program is a strong emphasis on lifestyle changes as the initial, and often decisive, step in managing migraine. Key recommendations include improving sleep hygiene, maintaining regular meals, reducing caffeine intake, and implementing regular breaks from screen work in the workplace.

Addressing medication overuse headache is highlighted as a common oversight.The course notes that tackling this issue can frequently lead to rapid betterment for many patients, underscoring the importance of careful medication planning and patient education.

In practical terms, the guidance covers what patients should do at the onset of an attack: a high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), an antiemetic, and a fizzy, full-sugar cola drink to boost blood glucose and aid medication absorption. The approach also touches on acute treatments and the broader landscape of migraine therapies, including triptans and newer anti-CGRP medications.

The podcourse explores a wide range of topics, from menstrual-related migraine to migraine in children, and outlines how these approaches fit into ongoing prophylaxis and self-management strategies. The material is delivered in three modules hosted on MIMS Learning, with worksheets highlighting key points, a full transcript, and suggested additional educational activities.

For clinicians seeking ongoing access, the three modules are exclusive to subscribers. The package aims to translate clinical insights into actionable steps that can be implemented in everyday practice. Links to authoritative resources offer further context on migraine management and current therapeutic options.

Aspect	Details
Format	Three-part, case-based podcourse
Focus	Migraine management, prophylaxis, self-management
Target audience	General practitioners with headache expertise
Delivery	Podcast-style modules + worksheets + transcripts
Access	Exclusive to subscribers

For readers seeking additional expert context, credible sources on migraine care and recommended therapies are available from leading health details portals. Learn more about migraine symptoms, causes, and safe treatment options at reputable sites such as the Mayo Clinic and the National institutes of HealthS NINDS program.

Mayo Clinic – Migraine Overview

NINDS – Migraine Information

Disclaimer: This report provides educational information for clinicians and patients. It is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional for diagnosis and treatment decisions.

What practical steps do you take to support patients with migraine in your practice? How do you address medication overuse and lifestyle factors in a bundled care plan?

Share your experiences and comments below to contribute to a broader discussion on improving migraine care for patients everywhere.

How do you personalize migraine management for patients with differing triggers and comorbidities? Would you consider adjusting prophylaxis strategies based on age or menstrual patterns?

Dr Deborah Kerr’s 3‑Part Podcast Course – A Practical Blueprint for GP Migraine Care

Part 1: Precise Diagnosis in Primary Care

Key learning outcomes

1. Apply the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD‑3) to differentiate migraine from tension‑type headache, cluster headache, and secondary causes.
2. Conduct a focused migraine history that captures aura, trigger patterns, attack frequency, and medication use.
3. Utilise the “red‑flag checklist” (sudden onset, neurologic deficit, systemic symptoms) to identify patients needing urgent referral.

Diagnostic tools highlighted in the podcast

• Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire – fast scoring to gauge functional impact.
• Headache diary templates – printable PDFs that GPs can hand out or embed in electronic health records.
• point‑of‑care neuro‑imaging criteria – when to order MRI/CT per NICE NG38 guidelines.

Actionable tip:

 During a routine consultation, ask the “3‑A” questions: Aura? Attack duration? Aggravating factors? this concise script reduces interview time while capturing essential data.

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Part 2: acute Migraine Management – From First‑Line to Rescue Therapy

Evidence‑based treatment hierarchy

• Step 1: Simple analgesics (paracetamol + NSAID) + anti‑emetic (metoclopramide) for mild‑moderate attacks.
• Step 2: Triptans (sumatriptan 50 mg oral, zolmitriptan nasal spray) for moderate‑severe attacks; emphasize early administration (≤ 1 hour of onset).
• Step 3: Gepants (ubrogepant, rimegepant) – oral CGRP‑receptor antagonists for patients with triptan contraindications or insufficient response.
• Step 4: Neuromodulation devices (external trigeminal nerve stimulator) – optional for refractory acute attacks.

Medication‑overuse headache (MOH) prevention

• Limit acute medication to ≤ 10 days/month for analgesics, ≤ 4 days/month for triptans/gepants.
• Implement a “drug holiday” protocol: taper and substitute with preventive therapy when thresholds are exceeded.

Practical prescribing checklist (downloadable from the podcast website)

• Verify cardiovascular risk before triptan prescription.
• Counsel on possible side‑effects (paresthesia, chest tightness).
• Document time to pain relief to assess efficacy on follow‑up.

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Part 3: Preventive Strategies – Tailoring Long‑Term Control for Every Patient

risk stratification framework

Frequency	MIDAS score	Recommended preventive approach
< 4 days/month	< 11	Lifestyle optimisation only
4‑14 days/month	11‑20	First‑line oral preventives
≥ 15 days/month or ≥ 4 severe attacks	> 20	Early combination therapy or CGRP‑targeted agents

First‑line oral preventives (per BASH guidelines)

• Propranolol 40‑80 mg daily – best for patients with comorbid hypertension or anxiety.
• Topiramate 25‑100 mg daily – useful for weight‑neutral patients, monitor for cognitive side‑effects.
• amitriptyline 10‑25 mg nightly – ideal when insomnia or depressive symptoms coexist.

CGRP monoclonal antibodies & gepants for prevention

• Erenumab 70‑140 mg monthly – subcutaneous; proven to reduce migraine days by ~50 % in chronic migraine.
• Fremanezumab – quarterly dosing simplifies adherence.
• Rimegepant 75 mg PRN – dual acute + preventive dosing for patients preferring oral therapy.

Lifestyle & trigger management

• Regular sleep‑wake schedule (7-9 h/night).
• Hydration target ≥ 2 L water/day; limit caffeine to ≤ 200 mg.
• Stress reduction – brief mindfulness or progressive muscle relaxation (5‑minute daily practice).

Implementation roadmap for GPs

1. Identify candidates using the frequency‑MIDAS matrix.
2. Select a preventive agent based on comorbidity profile and patient preference.
3. Schedule a 4‑week review to assess tolerability and attack reduction.
4. Escalate to CGRP therapy if ≥ 30 % reduction not achieved after two preventive trials.

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Real‑World Case Snapshots (Published in BMJ 2024)

Patient	Presentation	Intervention	outcome
45‑year‑old female, chronic migraine (≥ 15 days/mo)	Failed propranolol and topiramate; MOH on triptans	Switched to erenumab 140 mg q4wks + lifestyle coaching	Migraine days fell from 18 → 7 within 12 weeks; MIDAS reduced from 45 → 12
28‑year‑old male, episodic migraine (6 days/mo)	Aura, contraindicated triptan (ischemic heart disease)	Initiated ubrogepant 50 mg PRN + sleep hygiene program	Pain‑free at 2 h in 78 % of attacks; no cardiovascular events reported

These cases illustrate the stepwise escalation advocated by Dr Kerr and reinforce the value of individualised preventive plans.

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Benefits for general Practitioners

• Time‑efficient learning: 3 × 20‑minute podcasts fit into lunch breaks or commuting slots.
• CME accreditation: 3 hours of Continuing Medical Education recognized by the Royal College of General practitioners.
• Immediate applicability: Downloadable tools (checklists, diary templates) integrate directly into existing EMR workflows.
• Patient‑centred outcomes: Evidence shows a 30‑50 % reduction in migraine days when GP‑led protocols are followed.

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Practical Tips for Immediate Integration

1. Add the migraine diary template to your practice’s patient portal; send a link after the first migraine visit.
2. Create a “Migraine Box” in the consultation room with printed drug‑overuse charts and lifestyle handouts.
3. Schedule a quarterly “Migraine Review” slot for each chronic patient-use the podcast’s 4‑week follow‑up template to streamline documentation.
4. Leverage telehealth for rapid triptan prescription adjustments; a 10‑minute video call can confirm early administration timing.

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Accessing Dr Deborah Kerr’s Podcast Course

• Platform: Hosted on Archyde Learning Hub (archyde.com/podcasts/migraine‑gp).
• Enrollment: Free for UK‑registered GPs; optional subscription for premium case‑study library.
• Downloadable resources:
• “Migraine Diagnosis Cheat Sheet” PDF (2 MB)
• “Acute Treatment Algorithm” infographic (PNG)
• “Preventive Therapy Decision Tree” (Excel)

Technical note: Episodes are available in MP3 (128 kbps) and AAC (256 kbps) formats; both are compatible with major podcast apps (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts).

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Frequently Asked Questions (GP‑focused)

Question	Answer
Can I prescribe CGRP antibodies without specialist referral?	Yes, NICE NG67 permits primary‑care initiation when ≥ 4 preventive failures documented; ensure informed consent and baseline cardiovascular assessment.
What is the safest acute option for a patient on beta‑blockers?	Ubrogepant or nasal sumatriptan (lower systemic exposure) are preferred; avoid propranolol‑triptan drug interactions by selecting a non‑selective triptan.
How frequently enough should I reassess preventive therapy?	Every 4‑6 weeks during the titration phase,then 6‑monthly once a stable dose is achieved.
Is there a role for nutraceuticals?	Magnesium 400 mg nightly and riboflavin 400 mg have modest evidence (GRADE B) and can be adjuncts in patients preferring non‑pharmacologic options.

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Quick reference:

• ICHD‑3 – international Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition.
• NICE NG38 & NG67 – UK guidelines for migraine diagnosis and CGRP‑targeted therapies.
• BASH – British Association for the Study of Headache consensus statements (2023).

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All content reflects the latest clinical evidence up to December 2025 and is aligned with UK primary‑care standards.