Comparison of Photographic Screening Methods for Diabetic Retinopathy - A Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of irreversible visual impairment and blindness in both developed and developing countries. Although the merits of DR screening are well recognized, significant variations in screening practices including imaging modality still exists.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the sensitivity and specificity of mydriatic and non-mydriatic photographic screening methods using 7-Field fundus photography or dilated fundus examination (DFE) by an ophthalmologist as reference standard.

Impaired health-related quality of life, psychological distress, and productivity loss in younger people with persistent shoulder pain: a cross-sectional analysis.

Purpose: To investigate wellbeing and work impacts in younger people with persistent shoulder pain.

Materials And Methods: People aged 20-55 years with shoulder pain of >6 weeks' duration (excluding those with recent fracture or dislocation) were recruited from orthopaedic clinics at three major public hospitals. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological distress were evaluated using the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) and K10 instruments and compared to population norms.

Structured Feedback: Acceptability and Feasibility of a Strategy to Enhance the Role of a Clinical Quality Registry to Drive Change in Cardiac Surgical Practice.

Background: The Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) Database collects and monitors preoperative, operative, and 30-day outcome data on patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and delivers regular performance feedback reports to key personnel with intent to drive quality improvement. The current feedback approach appears to be ineffective in driving change to minimise Unit performance variation. We sought to determine the acceptability and feasibility of providing structured feedback in addition.

Exploring the personal burden of shoulder pain among younger people in Australia: protocol for a multicentre cohort study.

Introduction: Persistent musculoskeletal conditions can impact profoundly on younger people's quality of life, psychological distress and capacity to work, as shown by previous research involving younger people with osteoarthritis. The personal impacts, in particular, work and parenting impacts, of other musculoskeletal conditions (such as persistent shoulder pain) on younger patient groups remain poorly understood. Furthermore, the personal financial burden associated with managing musculoskeletal conditions is rarely documented.

Barriers to the Uptake of Cataract Surgery and Eye Care After Community Outreach Screening in Takeo Province, Cambodia.

Purpose: To assess the barriers influencing eye healthcare seeking behavior after community outreach screening.

Design: A concurrent mixed methods study.

Methods: A total of 469 patients screened during the previous 12 months were followed up, of which 354 (75%) from 5 districts were interviewed in person, using a semi-structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews (n = 11), and 16 focus groups (n = 71).

Cataract Surgical Rate and Socioeconomics: A Global Study.

Purpose: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness and cataract surgical rate (CSR) is used as a proxy indicator of access to cataract services in a country. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between the CSR and the economic development of countries in terms of gross domestic product per capital (GDP/P) and gross national income per capita (GNI/P).

Methods: We systematically searched OVID (Medline and Embase), Pubmed, Embase.

Disparities in access to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Background: Late neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) is very common and causes irreversible severe visual loss unless treated swiftly with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. Although publicly subsidized access to treatment may be inequitable, which is why we assessed treatment provision across Australia.

Design: Secondary analysis of Australian data.

Field-testing of the rapid assessment of disability questionnaire.

Background: The Rapid Assessment of Disability (RAD) questionnaire measures the magnitude and impact of disability and aims to inform the design of disability inclusive development programs. This paper reports the psychometric evaluation of the RAD.

Methods: The initial version of the RAD comprised five sections: 1) demographics, 2) functioning, 3) rights awareness, 4) well-being, and 5) access to the community.

Trachoma surveillance annual report, 2008. A report by the National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit.

The National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit has reported data for trachoma endemic regions and communities in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia for 2006 to 2008. Aboriginal children aged 1-9 years were examined using the World Health Organization grading criteria. Screening in the Northern Territory was conducted by the primary health care staff from the Healthy School Age Kids program, the Australian Government Emergency Intervention and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.