Piloting a language translation device for Mandarin-speaking patients presenting for radiotherapy treatment-assessing patient and radiation therapist perspectives.

Purpose: Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) cancer patients report unmet informational and emotional needs when receiving radiotherapy (RT). This feasibility study aimed to evaluate the clinical use of an instant translation device (ITD) to facilitate communication between Mandarin-speaking patients and radiation therapists (RTTs) within the Australian public RT setting. The primary aim was to assess the ability to convey information relating to daily patient care and build rapport using the device.

Validation testing of a language translation device for suitability in assisting Australian radiation therapists to communicate with Mandarin-speaking patients.

Introduction: Clear, timely communication between practitioners and patients is key in ensuring equitable access to health services and optimal care. Australia's linguistically diverse population adds complexity to healthcare provision. This paper describes a validation study to assess clinical suitability of a language translation device, intended for use with Mandarin speaking patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT).

Genomic prediction in the wild: A case study in Soay sheep.

Genomic prediction, the technique whereby an individual's genetic component of their phenotype is estimated from its genome, has revolutionised animal and plant breeding and medical genetics. However, despite being first introduced nearly two decades ago, it has hardly been adopted by the evolutionary genetics community studying wild organisms. Here, genomic prediction is performed on eight traits in a wild population of Soay sheep.

Increased genetic marker density reveals high levels of admixture between red deer and introduced Japanese sika in Kintyre, Scotland.

Hybridization is a natural process at species range boundaries, but increasing numbers of species are hybridizing due to direct or indirect human activities. In such cases of anthropogenic hybridization, subsequent introgression can threaten the survival of native species. To date, many such systems have been studied with too few genetic markers to assess the level of threat resulting from advanced backcrossing.

Pedigree-Based Estimation of Reproductive Value.

How successful an individual or cohort is, in terms of their genetic contribution to the future population, is encapsulated in the concept of reproductive value, and is crucial for understanding selection and evolution. Long-term studies of pedigreed populations offer the opportunity to estimate reproductive values directly. However, the degree to which genetic contributions, as defined by a pedigree, may converge on their long-run values within the time frames of available data sets, such that they may be interpreted as estimates of reproductive value, is unclear.

Employing positive psychology to improve radiation therapy workplace culture.

The Australian radiotherapy profession is challenged by job dissatisfaction, stress, burnout and unfavourable attrition. This paper will use psychological models to discuss the confluence of job demands, resources and personal characteristics that contribute to these challenges. Factors contributing to burnout and attrition amongst Australian Radiation Therapists will be explored, and a number of leadership strategies will be introduced to improve workplace culture.

Cost-containment in hypofractionated radiation therapy: a literature review.

Recent technological advances in radiation therapy have allowed for greater accuracy in planning and treatment delivery. The development of hypofractionated radiation treatment regimens is an example, and has the potential to decrease the cost per episode of care, relative to conventional treatments. Our aim was to analyse published literature on the cost-effectiveness and budgetary implications of hypofractionated radiation therapy.

Quantification and decomposition of environment-selection relationships.

In nature, selection varies across time in most environments, but we lack an understanding of how specific ecological changes drive this variation. Ecological factors can alter phenotypic selection coefficients through changes in trait distributions or individual mean fitness, even when the trait-absolute fitness relationship remains constant. We apply and extend a regression-based approach in a population of Soay sheep (Ovis aries) and suggest metrics of environment-selection relationships that can be compared across studies.

Complementary therapy use in metropolitan and regional Australian radiotherapy centres; do patients report effective outcomes?

Purpose: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly used with radiotherapy treatment for cancer. This study aimed to explore patient expectations of concurrent CAM, positive/negative outcomes and any variation of use across regional and metropolitan demographics.

Methods: An ethics-approved survey was provided to radiotherapy outpatients in regional and metropolitan Victoria, Australia.

Complementary and alternative medicine use and disclosure amongst Australian radiotherapy patients.

Purpose: Information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in Australian radiotherapy patients is sparse. This study investigated the type and prevalence of CAM amongst an Australian regional radiotherapy patient cohort and the disclosure of information to the consultant radiation oncologist.

Methods: A single hardcopy questionnaire survey was provided to patients regarding the use of CAM and discussion with the treating medical practitioner.