Hepatitis C Virus Antiviral Drug Resistance and Salvage Therapy Outcomes Across Australia.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can now be cured with well-tolerated direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. However, a potential barrier to HCV elimination is the emergence of resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) that reduce the efficacy of antiviral drugs, but real-world studies assessing the clinical impact of RASs are limited. Here, an analysis of the impact of RASs on retreatment outcomes for different salvage regimens in patients nationally who failed first-line DAA therapy is reported.

Medical students' awareness of overdiagnosis and implications for preventing overdiagnosis.

Overdiagnosis is a growing health issue, yet our understanding of medical students' exposure to this concept within medical education is limited. Our aim was to explore students' experience of diagnostic learning to identify how overdiagnosis may be understood by students. During in-person and online semi-structured interviews throughout 2021, we explored the education experience of twelve Western Sydney University medical students in years 3-5.

Communication and coordination of care for people living with HIV: a qualitative study of the patient perspective.

Background: There is growing consensus that primary health care (PHC) providers have an important role in providing holistic, preventative care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). In regional Australia, HIV care is primarily delivered through specialist services, thus adequate coordination and communication between specialist and PHC professionals is crucial. This study aimed to explore patient experiences of the coordination of care and health care professional communication for PLHIV in regional Australia.

Determinants of access to general practice in a shared care model for people living with HIV: a qualitive study of patients' perspectives in an Australian rural community.

Background: Improved management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has resulted in improved life expectancy for people living with HIV and an ageing population with a significant comorbidity burden. Shared care models, involving the co-ordinated liaison between general practitioners and specialist physicians, have been advocated for in Australia to provide comprehensive care. People living with HIV in rural areas have reduced access to general practice and therefore shared care.

What are the predictors of change in multimorbidity among people with HIV? A longitudinal observational cohort study.

Introduction: Multimorbidity is common among people living with HIV (PLWH), with numerous cross-sectional studies demonstrating associations with older age and past immunosuppression. Little is known about the progression of multimorbidity, particularly in the setting of long-term access to antiretrovirals. This study aims to determine factors predictive of change in multimorbidity in PLWH.

"You're actually part of the team": a qualitative study of a novel transitional role from medical student to doctor.

Background: Optimizing transitions from final year of medical school and into first post graduate year has important implications for students, patients and the health care system. Student experiences during novel transitional roles can provide insights into potential opportunities for final year curricula. We explored the experiences of medical students in a novel transitional role and their ability to continue learning whilst working as part of a medical team.

A qualitative analysis of the barriers and enablers faced by Australian rural general practitioners in the non-pharmacological management of congestive heart failure in community dwelling patients.

Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a significant health problem in Australia, and disproportionately affects rural Australians. Management of CHF in Australia is heavily centred around the general practitioner (GP). Australian and international literature indicates there is a gap between current and best practice in CHF management.

Trends in Follow-Up Visits Among People Living With HIV: Results From the TREAT Asia and Australian HIV Observational Databases.

Background: Less frequent follow-up visits may reduce the burden on people living with HIV (PLHIV) and health care facilities. We aimed to assess trends in follow-up visits and survival outcomes among PLHIV in Asia and Australasia.

Settings: PLHIV enrolled in TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) or Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD) from 2008 to 2017 were included.

Multimorbidity, not human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) markers predicts unplanned admission among people with HIV in regional New South Wales.

Background: Multimorbidity and unplanned admissions are common among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH).

Aims: To determine factors predictive of unplanned admission among PWH in regional New South Wales and compare care coordination between people with and without unplanned admissions.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of PWH attending a regional human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) service was conducted.

Multimorbidity among people with HIV in regional New South Wales, Australia.

Unlabelled: Background Multimorbidity is the co-occurrence of more than one chronic health condition in addition to HIV. Higher multimorbidity increases mortality, complexity of care and healthcare costs while decreasing quality of life. The prevalence of and factors associated with multimorbidity among HIV positive patients attending a regional sexual health service are described.

Contact tracing for STIs - new resources and supportive evidence.

Background: Contact tracing of sexual partners is an important part of the clinical management of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and initiation of contact tracing is the responsibility of the diagnosing clinician. Research has shown that some general practitioners would like to improve their skills in this area.

Objective: This article outlines new resources and evidence to assist GPs to initiate contact tracing when a patient is diagnosed with an STI.

Vulval Crohn's disease.

We report a case of vulval Crohn's disease, the diagnosis of which was complicated by the presence of sexually transmissible infections.

Contact tracing in a regional sexual health clinic: audit outcomes and implications for sexually transmissible infection control.

Objective: To evaluate contact tracing outcomes in a regional sexual health clinic (SHC) and to investigate contact tracing outcome measures.

Method: A retrospective audit of contact tracing activities for all 126 cases of Chlamydia trachomatis, 19 cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and two cases of early syphilis diagnosed during 2004 was conducted at a regional SHC in Queensland, Australia.

Results: Patient referral was used for almost all contact tracing.

An audit of contact tracing activities and records for chlamydia in an urban sexual health clinic.

The National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2008 emphasised the importance of control of chlamydia and recognised contact tracing as an important health tool for this. This paper reports on a recent audit of contact tracing conducted at the Gold Coast Sexual Health Clinic.

Study of knowledge of genital herpes infection and attitudes to testing for genital herpes among antenatal clinic attendees.

A descriptive survey of knowledge of genital herpes and attitudes to testing was conducted among antenatal clinic attendees at the Gold Coast Hospital, Australia. The study subjects showed a good knowledge of genital herpes, to a level that appears sufficient for an informed choice regarding herpes serology testing to be made. A preference for testing for genital herpes was suggested.