Patients' opinions about referral from a tertiary specialist psychiatric hospital to primary healthcare.

Background: Referral of patients from tertiary specialist psychiatric hospitals to primary healthcare settings is a worldwide goal. This is of particular importance in South Africa with its considerable burden of mental disorders and limited resources. However, patients are often reluctant to be referred and studies have shown that patients may prefer a dedicated psychiatric service over an integrated primary healthcare service.

The accuracy of radiology speech recognition reports in a multilingual South African teaching hospital.

Background: Speech recognition (SR) technology, the process whereby spoken words are converted to digital text, has been used in radiology reporting since 1981. It was initially anticipated that SR would dominate radiology reporting, with claims of up to 99% accuracy, reduced turnaround times and significant cost savings. However, expectations have not yet been realised.

Results of a pilot programme of mammographic breast cancer screening in the Western Cape.

Background: Mammographic screening programmes are now established in developing countries. We present an analysis of the first screening programme in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: Women aged > or = 40 years were identified at three primary healthcare centres in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, and after giving informed consent underwent mammography at a mobile unit.