Promoting oral cancer screening by general practitioners in Australia: Strengthening primary healthcare.

Background: Oral cancer remains a significant public health issue. General practitioners (GPs) can play an important role in raising awareness of oral cancer.

Objective: This paper explores why providing advice relating to modifiable risk behaviours associated with oral cancer and undertaking routine oral cancer screening are important for GPs in clinical practice.

Australian consensus: Treatment goals for moderate to severe psoriasis in the era of targeted therapies - Considerations for paediatric patients.

Background: Treatment goals have been established in Australia to facilitate the management of adults with moderate to severe psoriasis. The Australasian College of Dermatologists sought to determine if and how these adult treatment goals could be modified to accommodate the needs of paediatric and adolescent patients.

Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used.

Australian consensus: Treatment goals for moderate to severe psoriasis in the era of targeted therapies - Adult patients.

Background: Over the last decade, the treatment landscape for moderate-severe psoriasis has rapidly evolved. The Australasian College of Dermatologists sought to review and update previously published treatment goals for moderate-severe psoriasis.

Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used.

Atopic dermatitis in adults: An Australian management consensus.

Background/objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has significant negative impact on health-related quality of life, mood, sleep, work productivity and everyday activities. Research into the use of new drugs in the management of AD continues to develop, and international updates and recommendations have been published. However, questions remain in the Australian setting.

Treatment goals for moderate to severe psoriasis: an Australian consensus.

Background/objectives: The high incidence of comorbidities in patients with psoriasis, significant impact on quality of life and patients' dissatisfaction with treatment led a European group to develop a consensus position on psoriasis treatment goals. There is an evident need for similar treatment goals in Australia. The aim of this project was to develop Australian treatment goals that reflect the local environment.

Exanthems and drug reactions.

Background: Drug reactions are a common cause of rashes and can vary from brief, mildly annoying, self limiting rashes to severe conditions involving multiple organ systems.

Objective: This article outlines an approach to exanthems that may be related to drug reactions and details appropriate management.

Discussion: Rashes related to drug reactions are both nonallergic and allergic.

Lessons from the past--historical trends in the RACGP examination.

Assessment within any medical specialty college is often an area that elicits deep feelings within the medical community. The speciality of general practice is no exception, and there are a number of deeply held and widespread beliefs about The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Fellowship examination. This article seeks to publish historical data from past RACGP Fellowship examinations.

Competence and the quality framework.

Background: The quality framework developed by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is described by Booth in this issue of Australian Family Physician. This article applies the framework to the 'competence' domain.

Objective: This article explores the key role of competence in the delivery of quality health care.

The RACGP Examination--changes from 1999-2004.

Promoting and maintaining the quality and standards of Australian general practice on behalf of the profession and the Australian community is The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' central activity. An important part of this process is assessment of doctors wishing to attain Fellowship of the RACGP. For general practice registrars, the summative assessment process is the college examination.