Breast Reconstruction Post Mastectomy: Patient Satisfaction and Decision Making.

Background: Although breast reconstruction has been shown to improve psychological, physical, and sexual well-being, Australia still has one of the lowest reconstruction rates among well-developed countries. This study explores both the quality-of-life benefits of reconstruction and the factors that influence patients' decisions of whether or not to undergo reconstruction.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study (296 consecutive mastectomy patients from 2000 to 2010) uses an internationally validated questionnaire (BREAST-Q) to evaluate patients' satisfaction with or without breast reconstruction.

Risk factors in idiopathic adhesive capsulitis: a case control study.

Background: The etiology of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis (IAC) of the shoulder is poorly understood. In this case control study, we examine potential risk factors for the development of IAC.

Methods: Consecutive patients who presented to the senior author with IAC between 2000 and 2009 were included retrospectively in this case control study.

The active management of surgical waiting lists: a urological surgery case study.

Elective surgery waiting list management is a major public healthcare issue. This case study describes an integrated multifaceted approach to waiting list management at Peninsula Health, a public health service in Victoria, Australia. At the commencement of this study it was recognised that several issues associated with the urological surgical service constituted potential clinical risk.

A critique of evaluated adolescent smoking cessation programmes.

Rates of adolescent smoking appear to be on the increase, with a number of authors documenting increases in the 1990's. However, the issue of prevention rather than cessation has received greater attention in tobacco control programmes among youth. This review provides details of published school based and other tobacco cessation programmes for adolescents and compares their efficacy.