In this episode of The Pathology Report, host Dr Leo Lam is joined by A/Prof Vanessa Tyrrell, Program Director of the Zero Childhood Cancer National Precision Medicine Program (ZERO), to discuss the development and application of precision medicine in the context of childhood cancer.A/Prof Tyrrell provides a practical overview of how genomics and integrated multi-omics approaches are being used to improve outcomes for children with cancer in Australia.She explains the origins and growth of the Zero Childhood Cancer Program, from when it began in 2015 for high-risk patients to its expansion nationwide, and how comprehensive testing, including whole genome and transcriptome sequencing, methylation profiling, and laboratory-based cancer models and high throughput drug screening, is now informing both prognosis and targeted therapy selection.A/Prof Tyrrell discusses the clinical impact of precision medicine, from risk stratification to personalised treatment pathways, including emerging roles for immunotherapy and RNA vaccines. In this, she emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, clinician engagement and addressing the psychosocial impact on children, families and healthcare teams.Looking ahead, A/Prof Tyrrell shares her vision for the next decade where precision medicine could move from research into routine care, becoming an integral part of health systems worldwide.RCPA MembersThis podcast is an RCPA-endorsed CPD activity. Each episode gives you an opportunity to gain CPD hours in three easy steps:Step 1. Listen or watch the podcast here, on your favourite podcast channel or on YouTubeStep 2. To claim your CPD hours, please complete and pass this short online quizStep 3. Sit back and let us load your CPD hours into your CPD profile for youThe Pathology Report is produced by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network.Learn more about the RCPA at rcpa.edu.au and discover other shows in the network at talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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Women’s Health
In this episode of The Pathology Report, host Dr Mags Strauss talks with Dr Melinda Lerwill, faculty director of continuing education and accreditation at Harvard Medical School, and Prof Rosemary Balleine, a clinical professor at Westmead Institute for Medical Research and the University of Sydney, to explore recent advances in pathology in women’s health. From molecular diagnostics to digital pathology and multidisciplinary collaboration, they discuss how innovation is transforming care for women.Drawing on examples in breast and ovarian cancers, they highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration driving better patient outcomes. They also touch on the emerging potential of digital pathology and AI in helping to improve diagnostic access and supporting remote care and reducing variation in interpretation. By identifying patterns and streamlining testing, AI promises to make diagnostics faster, more accurate and more widely available.Dr Lerwill and Prof Balleine emphasise that with pathology evolving at such a rapid pace, staying at the forefront of new tools, research and treatments is key to ensure pathologists can continue to deliver the highest standard of care for women.RCPA MembersThis podcast is an RCPA-endorsed CPD activity. Each episode gives you an opportunity to gain CPD hours in three easy steps:Step 1. Listen or watch the podcast here, on your favourite podcast channel or on YouTubeStep 2. To claim your CPD hours, please complete and pass this short online quizStep 3. Sit back and let us load your CPD hours into your CPD profile for youThe Pathology Report is produced by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network.Learn more about the RCPA at rcpa.edu.au and discover other shows in the network at talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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20:25
Rethinking healthcare through co-design and Indigenous-led innovation
In this episode of The Pathology Report, host Dr Mags Strauss is joined by Dr Matt Wheeler, a haematologist and general physician based in New Zealand, to explore the critical issue of Indigenous health disparities and discuss the potential of co-design in developing more equitable healthcare services.They begin with an analysis of how traditional data-driven approaches often fall short in addressing the unique needs of Indigenous communities, highlighting the promise of co-design and Indigenous-led innovation as more culturally appropriate solutions.Dr Wheeler shares his own professional journey and his commitment to clinical equity, emphasising the importance of decolonisation and de-learning in creating inclusive healthcare environments. Dr Wheeler and Dr Strauss discuss systemic racism and cultural biases within healthcare systems, particularly in pathology, where interactions can often lack cultural sensitivity.This podcast also explores the current political and systemic challenges facing Indigenous healthcare in New Zealand, including the impact of disestablishing the Māori Health Authority and its implications for service design. Dr Wheeler speaks about the consequences of health inequity, noting how chronic stress from living in an unjust society can lead to poorer health outcomes. This, he says, highlights the importance of involving individuals with lived experience in designing healthcare services.Dr Wheeler advocates for stronger Indigenous governance and leadership across healthcare, calling for systemic change to make this a reality. He highlights the importance of mentorship, noting that tailored support can help Māori Trainees navigate their careers while maintaining their cultural identities.RCPA MembersThis podcast is an RCPA-endorsed CPD activity. Each episode gives you an opportunity to gain CPD hours in three easy steps:Step 1. Listen or watch the podcast here, on your favourite podcast channel or on YouTubeStep 2. To claim your CPD hours, please complete and pass this short online quizStep 3. Sit back and let us load your CPD hours into your CPD profile for youThe Pathology Report is produced by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network.Learn more about the RCPA at rcpa.edu.au and discover other shows in the network at talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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Managing Bleeding
In this episode of The Pathology Report, host A/Prof Daniel Owens speaks with Dr Pratheepan Puvanakumar, a clinical and laboratory haematologist at Monash Health in Melbourne, and Prof Beverley Hunt, a consultant in thrombosis and haemostasis and clinical lead for haematological laboratory services at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, about critical developments in bleeding management. In their discussions, they explore practical approaches to bleeding management across obstetrics and trauma care settings.Dr Puvanakumar shares insights on recent updates to Australian patient blood management guidelines, highlighting implementation challenges particularly affecting rural and remote healthcare providers. He emphasises the critical importance of effective communication protocols among clinicians during emergency bleeding scenarios.Prof Hunt brings her UK perspective on major haemorrhage protocols, noting significant evidence gaps in current transfusion practices. She presents recent UK data on postpartum haemorrhage management, advocating for increased use of thromboelastography and fibrinogen monitoring to improve outcomes.Discussions covered the practical aspects of bleeding management including:The implementation status of viscoelastic haemostatic assaysCommunication barriers in critical care environmentsEvidence-based approaches to transfusion practicesTranexamic acid use supported by CRASH-2 trial findingsSpecial considerations for high-risk populationsProf Hunt also highlights the compounded challenges facing low-resource settings where anaemia and bleeding risks intersect, emphasising the importance of nutritional support and affordable access to tranexamic acid.This episode concludes with reflections on pathology service security following a recent UK cyber-attack that significantly disrupted hospital operations, underscoring the critical role of robust infrastructure in emergency care delivery.RCPA MembersThis podcast is an RCPA-endorsed CPD activity. Each episode gives you an opportunity to gain CPD hours in three easy steps:Step 1. Listen or watch the podcast here, on your favourite podcast channel or on YouTubeStep 2. To claim your CPD hours, please complete and pass this short online quizStep 3. Sit back and let us load your CPD hours into your CPD profile for youThe Pathology Report is produced by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network.Learn more about the RCPA at rcpa.edu.au and discover other shows in the network at talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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Indigenous Genomics
In this episode of The Pathology Report, Dr Kym Mina speaks with Ms Louise Lyons, senior manager strategy and policy, Indigenous genomics at the Telethon Kids Institute, about Indigenous genomics, examining governance frameworks and culturally appropriate practices in healthcare and research.Ms Lyons shares her experience as a proud Jaadwa woman from western Victoria and her leadership role at the Kids Research Institute Australia, where she works in partnership with Professor Alex Brown and other key figures in Indigenous health and genomics.She explains the concept of Indigenous governance in research and health delivery, emphasising the critical importance of recognising Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing. She discusses how governance structures can address historical barriers to equitable healthcare access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Ms Lyons suggests practical approaches to translating genomic research into culturally appropriate models of care, including:Community engagement in identifying health and research prioritiesCo-design principles for research and service deliveryStrategies for collecting accurate identity dataDevelopment of resources using accessible languageBuilding cultural competency within healthcare staffMs Lyons describes collaborative efforts to develop culturally appropriate resources about genetics and genomics specifically for Indigenous communities across Australia. She highlights how these resources incorporate Indigenous perspectives on consent, data sovereignty and the complex meanings of family and kinship structures.Discussing Indigenous data sovereignty principles, Ms Lyons emphasises the need for informed consent processes and culturally appropriate protocols for biospecimen handling. The approaches used, she says, should respect cultural values, including repatriation or culturally supported custodianship of specimens.She adds that these principles provide valuable insights into building culturally safe genomic research environments, the role of Indigenous governance in ensuring ethical practice, and the broader implications of Indigenous-led approaches for healthcare and research across all populations.RCPA MembersThis podcast is an RCPA-endorsed CPD activity. Each episode gives you an opportunity to gain CPD hours in three easy steps:Step 1. Listen or watch the podcast here, on your favourite podcast channel or on YouTubeStep 2. To claim your CPD hours, please complete and pass this short online quizStep 3. Sit back and let us load your CPD hours into your CPD profile for youThe Pathology Report is produced by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network.Learn more about the RCPA at rcpa.edu.au and discover other shows in the network at talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) is proud to present The Pathology Report – a podcast exploring the latest insights, innovations, and challenges in pathology.
In Season One, recorded live at Pathology Update 2025, we bring you conversations with leading experts in pathology and laboratory medicine. Each episode delves into key areas of the field, highlighting the pivotal role pathology plays in modern healthcare.
Stay tuned for the first episodes, landing soon in your favourite podcast feed.
Find out more at rcpa.edu.au.
New Zealand