Impacts of lung cancer multidisciplinary meeting presentation: Drivers and outcomes from a population registry retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Multidisciplinary Meetings (MDM) are recommended in routine lung cancer care, however its broader impacts demand further evaluation. We assessed the drivers and impacts of MDM presentation in the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry (VLCR).

Methods: We examined the effect of MDM presentation on receipt of treatment and survival in VLCR patients diagnosed between 2011 and 2020.

High levels of psychosocial distress among Australian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound and prolonged impact on healthcare services and healthcare workers.

Aims: The Australian COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers Study aimed to investigate the severity and prevalence of mental health issues, as well as the social, workplace and financial disruptions experienced by Australian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A nationwide, voluntary, anonymous, single timepoint, online survey was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020.

Coping strategies adopted by Australian frontline health workers to address psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: The Australian COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers Study investigated coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours, and their relationship to mental health symptoms experienced by Australian healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Australian HCWs were invited to participate a nationwide, voluntary, anonymous, single time-point, online survey between 27th August and 23rd October 2020. Complete responses on demographics, home and work situation, and measures of health and psychological wellbeing were received from 7846 participants.

Access to and adequacy of psychological services for adult patients in UK hospices: a national, cross-sectional survey.

Background: Providing psychological support to people living with terminal illness is a fundamental part of hospice care. Recent research on delivery of psychological services in hospices in the United Kingdom (UK) on a national level, including inequalities or variation in practice, is limited. A nationwide survey will highlight any differences in provision and in doing so help focus future research and inform best practice both within the UK, and internationally.

Bilateral open thoracic cordotomy for refractory cancer pain: a neglected technique?

At least 10% of patients with cancer have pain that is refractory to systemic analgesics. For most of these patients, interventional techniques may be of benefit but are often not considered or are difficult to access. Of these techniques, spinal analgesia is most commonly used in Australia and the United Kingdom, and neurosurgical procedures, such as open cordotomy with sectioning of the spinothalamic tract, are rarely used.