Continuity of cancer patient care in New Zealand; the general practitioner perspective.

Aim: As cancer treatments become more effective, increasing numbers of cancer patients seek long-term support from general practice. This study aimed to canvass the perspective of GPs on issues around continuity of care for these patients.

Methods: In this qualitative study purposive sampling was used to invite a range of New Zealand GPs from urban and rural communities in the Greater Wellington and Otago/Southland areas to participate.

Prophylactic use of Mepitel Film prevents radiation-induced moist desquamation in an intra-patient randomised controlled clinical trial of 78 breast cancer patients.

Purpose: Safetac-based soft silicone dressings used in a management setting decrease the severity of radiation-induced acute skin reactions but do not affect moist desquamation rates. Here we investigate the prophylactic use of another Safetac product, Mepitel Film, on moist desquamation rates.

Material And Methods: A total of 80 breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy were recruited between October 2012 and April 2013; 78 participants contributed data for analysis.

Establishing radiation therapy advanced practice in New Zealand.

Introduction:  Advanced practice (AP) is of increasing interest to many radiation therapists (RTs) both nationally and internationally. In New Zealand, initial research (2005-2008) showed strong support for the development of an AP role for medical radiation technologists (MRTs). Here, we report on a nationwide survey in which RTs validated and prioritised nine AP profiles for future development.