Factors influencing University of Papua New Guinea medical imaging science students considering rural radiography careers.

Introduction: The aim of this research was to explore factors influencing students at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Bachelor of Medical Imaging Science (BMIS) choice to pursue rural radiography careers.

Methods: A survey and focus groups of BMIS students at the UPNG were undertaken. The survey included questions related to sociodemographic variables including gender, age, education, rural background and previous employment; and Likert-type scale questions exploring motivation for rural practice, the promotion of radiography through rural practice and the influence of birthplace and incentives to practice.

A review of mammographic image quality in Papua New Guinea.

Introduction: To report for the first time the image quality of mammograms performed in Papua New Guinea (PNG) using the Perfect, Good, Moderate, Inadequate (PGMI) image evaluation system (IES); and to benchmark the image quality against BreastScreen Australia (BSA) National Accreditation Standards (NAS).

Methods: A retrospective image quality analysis of the de-identified mammograms of 102 women imaged at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) was undertaken using the PGMI IES. Each craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) image was assigned a grade and the reasons for the grade recorded.

Correlation of the BI-RADS assessment categories of Papua New Guinean women with mammographic parenchymal patterns, age and diagnosis.

Introduction: Women with increased breast density are at increased risk of breast cancer. The aim of this research is to evidence for the first time the mammographic breast findings of Papua New Guinean (PNG) women and the relationship between Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessment, mammographic parenchymal patterns (MPPs) and age.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1357 mammograms of women imaged at the Pacific International Hospital (PIH) from August 2006 to July 2010 was undertaken.

Full-field digital mammography: the '30% rule' and influences on visualisation of the pectoralis major muscle on the craniocaudal view of the breast.

Introduction: To investigate compliance to the '30% rule' and key factors which may influence visualisation of the pectoralis major muscle (PMM) on the craniocaudal (CC) view of the breast.

Methods: A retrospective review of 2688 paired full-field digital mammography (FFDM) CC view mammograms of women attending BreastScreen NSW between August and October 2015 was undertaken. PMM visualisation and measurements of PMM width and length, compressed breast thickness, the posterior nipple line (PNL) and age were recorded.

Current practice in mammographic imaging of the augmented breast in Australia.

Aim: This study seeks to document the imaging series used in contemporary Australian practice for imaging the augmented breast, with a secondary focus on differences in practice and opinion between BreastScreen Australia and diagnostic imaging services.

Methods: A SurveyMonkey link was distributed through the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) and was assessable during December 2017 and January 2018. The questionnaire investigated: years of experience, facility type and location, image acquisition systems, appointment times, patients imaged per week, technique and imaging series used, use of limited compression views, rationale for variation in imaging series and the use of ultrasound.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from New South Wales, Australia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of resistance to commonly used antimicrobials in Campylobacter jejuni isolates from clinical faecal samples in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Methods: A total of 117 C. jejuni isolates from human faecal samples from regional and metropolitan NSW were examined for antimicrobial resistance.

Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in diarrhoea samples from patients in New South Wales, Australia.

Campylobacteriosis is a leading cause of bacterial foodborne disease in many industrialized countries including Australia. New South Wales (NSW) is the most populous state in Australia yet the lack of any Campylobacter species surveillance programs has led to a knowledge gap in the importance of these pathogens as causes of diarrhoea. The data collected in this study demonstrated a need for such programs.

Endotracheal suctioning practices of nurses and respiratory therapists: How well do they align with clinical practice guidelines?

Background: A common procedure within intensive care units (ICUs) is the suctioning of respiratory secretions in patients who have been intubated or who have undergone tracheostomy. Previous studies have shown a wide variation in suctioning practices, and although current evidence does not support the routine practice of normal saline instillation (NSI), anecdotally, this is believed to be a common practice.

Objective: To examine the suctioning practices of registered nurses (RNs) and registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) in six hospital ICUs in Ontario, with special attention devoted to the use of NSI.

An experience of the introduction of a blood bank automation system (Ortho AutoVue Innova) in a regional acute hospital.

This paper reports on an evaluation of the introduction of a blood bank automation system (Ortho AutoVue(®) Innova) in a hospital blood bank by considering the performance and workflow as compared with manual methods. The turnaround time was found to be 45% faster than the manual method. The concordance rate was found to be 100% for both ABO/Rh(D) typing and antibody screening in both of the systems and there was no significant difference in detection sensitivity for clinically significant antibodies.

Obesity and Healthcare Avoidance: A Systematic Review.

This review addresses the issue of health care avoidance and obesity. English language journal articles published between 1990 and 2012 that addressed the review question; "is being overweight or obese an unrecognized factor in healthcare avoidance?" were located using major databases. A modified JADAD scoring system was then used to assess papers.

Use of complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM) by patients attending a regional comprehensive cancer care centre.

Background: This study determined the prevalence, types, and attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and therapies in cancer patients actively undergoing conventional cancer treatment at a regional cancer centre.

Methods: Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire provided to adult cancer patients attending a comprehensive cancer care centre in regional Australia over a 3-month period.

Results: A participation rate of 89% was recorded over the 3-month period with 285 of 320 cancer patients providing completed data.

The prevalence and experience of Australian naturopaths and Western herbalists working within community pharmacies.

Background: Naturopaths and Western herbal medicine (WHM) practitioners were surveyed to identify their extent, experience and roles within the community pharmacy setting and to explore their attitudes to integration of complementary medicine (CM) practitioners within the pharmacy setting.

Method: Practising naturopaths and WHM practitioners were invited to participate in an anonymous, self-administered, on-line survey. Participants were recruited using the mailing lists and websites of CM manufacturers and professional associations.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of traditional Thai herbal remedies for aphthous ulcers.

Four medicinal plants (Quercus infectoria, Kaempferia galanga, Coptis chinensis and Glycyrrhiza uralensis) as well as one traditional Thai treatment for aphthous ulcers based on these four plants were tested for antimicrobial activity. MIC values for a range of bacteria and Candida albicans were determined, with both type strains and clinical isolates being used. Antioxidant activity was determined using the ABTS radical scavenging assay.

Is acupuncture an acceptable option in stroke rehabilitation? A survey of stroke patients.

Objective: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and stroke survivors make up the largest group of patients in rehabilitation. These individuals also have one of the longest lengths of stay in rehabilitation. It has been suggested that acupuncture may be beneficial in post-stroke rehabilitation and in this study we examine how stroke patients value acupuncture and their perceptions of acupuncture as a rehabilitation treatment option.

Perceptions, use and attitudes of pharmacy customers on complementary medicines and pharmacy practice.

Background: Complementary medicines (CMs) are popular amongst Australians and community pharmacy is a major supplier of these products. This study explores pharmacy customer use, attitudes and perceptions of complementary medicines, and their expectations of pharmacists as they relate to these products.

Methods: Pharmacy customers randomly selected from sixty large and small, metropolitan and rural pharmacies in three Australian states completed an anonymous, self administered questionnaire that had been pre-tested and validated.

Adverse reactions to complementary medicines: the Australian pharmacy experience.

Objectives: The primary aim was to determine the prevalence of adverse reactions to over-the-counter complementary medicines and their severity, as described by consumers. Secondary aims were to identify consumers' reporting behaviours and understanding of the AUST L designation on product labels.

Methods: An anonymous, self-administered survey was completed by randomly selected pharmacy customers at 60 community pharmacy locations between August 2008 and February 2009.

Effect of acupuncture on induction of labor.

Objective: The objective of this study is to review the existing scientific evidence on the potential role of acupuncture on induction of labor during pregnancy.

Design: The Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), and NCCAM (The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) databases were searched to identify relevant monographs from 1970 to 2008.

Inclusion Criteria: These criteria included all available human acupuncture studies on pregnant women carrying a viable fetus due for third trimester induction of labor.

Complementary and alternative medicine and the search for knowledge by conventional health care practitioners.

The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) is growing rapidly within the western world and the nexus with conventional health care services is expanding. Many nurses and other conventional health care providers are not only using CAM themselves but see many of their clients using these medicines and therapies. The attitudes to CAM can influence client satisfaction and client use of different therapies and many practitioners of conventional health care are seeking education and information to enhance their knowledge and use of CAM.

Complementary medicine use among attendees at a rural health screening clinic.

The objective of this study was to investigate the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in a group of older rural Australian attending a multi-disciplinary health screening clinic. The average age of all participants (n=102) was 66+/-10 years (range 49-89) and 61% were female. Three-quarters (78%) of respondents had used at least one CAM product within the past 12 months and 66% had visited a CAM practitioner.

Knowledge, beliefs, and use of complementary and alternative medicine by Australian podiatric physicians.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is one of the fastest growing areas of health care. This has necessitated an increased awareness and understanding of CAM by conventional health professionals.

Methods: A questionnaire seeking information about use of and attitudes toward CAM was mailed to 1,365 Australian podiatric physicians.

Evaluating the effects of the essential oils Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) and Kunzea ericoides (kanuka) on radiotherapy induced mucositis: a randomized, placebo controlled feasibility study.

This study evaluated the effects of an essential oil mouthwash on radiation induced mucositis of the oropharyngeal area during treatment for head and neck cancers. Nineteen adult patients completed the randomized placebo controlled trial which involved the use of a gargle containing 2 drops of a 1:1 mix of the essential oils of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) and kanuka (Kunzea ericoides) in water. Those in the essential oil gargle group were observed to have a delayed onset of mucositis and reduced pain and oral symptoms relative to placebo (gargling with water) and the control ('usual care') groups.

Naturopathic management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are widely used by those with pain and/or musculoskeletal problems, and previous research has shown that high proportions of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis have used these therapies. One of the largest CAM modalities is that of naturopathy, which combines nutritional, herbal, and other complementary practices to treat such conditions. In this review, evidence is examined in relation to those factors which naturopaths believe are significant contributors to rheumatoid arthritis, and are hence the main focus of therapeutic management.

A comparison of wound healing following treatment with Lavandula x allardii honey or essential oil.

The increased interest in complementary therapies has led to the investigation of products traditionally believed to have a beneficial effect in wound healing. Two such products are honey and lavender essential oil. In this study a rat excisional wound model was used to investigate the action of Lavandula x allardii honey and essential oil, and a standard therapeutic honey (Medihoney).