Improving Practice for Urinary Continence Care on Adult Acute Medical and Rehabilitation Wards: A Multi-Site, Co-Created Implementation Study.

Many adult inpatients experience urinary continence issues; however, we lack evidence on effective interventions for inpatient continence care. We conducted a before and after implementation study. We implemented our guideline-based intervention using strategies targeting identified barriers and evaluated the impact on urinary continence care provided by inpatient clinicians.

Optimal care of people with brain cancer in the emergency department: A cross-sectional survey of outpatient perceptions.

Objective: People diagnosed with brain cancer commonly present to the emergency department (ED). There is uncertainty about essential components and processes of optimal care from the perspective of consumers, and few guidelines exist to inform practice. This study examined the perceptions of outpatients and their support persons regarding what constitutes optimal care for people with brain cancer presenting to the ED.

Factors associated with inadequate receipt of components and non-use of antenatal care services in India: a regional analysis.

Background: Failure to use antenatal care (ANC) and inadequate receipt of components of ANC pose a significant risk for the pregnant woman and the baby. This study aimed to examine a regional analysis of factors associated with receiving no ANC and inadequate receipt of components of ANC services among Indian women.

Method: Information from 173,970 women of reproductive age 15-49 years from the 2019-21 India National Family Health Survey (NFSH-5) was analysed.

A Prospective, Longitudinal and Exploratory Study of Head and Neck Lymphoedema and Dysphagia Following Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

The aim of the study was to examine the following: (a) the trajectory of external and internal head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) up to 12 months post-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and (b) the relationship between HNL and swallowing function. Using a prospective longitudinal cohort study, external/internal HNL and swallowing were examined in 33 participants at 3, 6 and 12 months post-CRT. External HNL was assessed using the Assessment of Lymphoedema of the Head and Neck and the MD Anderson Cancer Centre Lymphoedema Rating Scale.

The Oxford Cognitive Screen for use with Australian people after stroke (OCS-AU): The adaptation process and determining cut scores for cognitive impairment using a cross-sectional normative study.

Introduction: Two parallel versions (A and B) of the Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS) were developed in the United Kingdom (UK) as a stroke-specific screen of five key cognitive domains commonly affected post-stroke. We aimed to develop the Australian versions A and B (OCS-AU), including Australian cut-scores indicative of impairment. We hypothesised there to be no difference in performance between the UK and Australian normative data cohorts.

HIV among people who inject drugs in India: a systematic review.

Background: Little is known about the epidemiology of HIV infection among HIV positive people who inject drugs (PWID) in India. Injecting drug use has emerged as an important route of HIV transmission in India. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the risk behaviours associated with HIV infection among HIV positive PWID and assess the data reported.

Junior Medical Officers' knowledge of advance care directives and substitute decision making for people without decision making capacity: a cross sectional survey.

Background: For the benefits of advance care planning to be realised during a hospital admission, the treating team must have accurate knowledge of the law pertaining to implementation of advance care directives (ACDs) and substitute decision making.

Aims: To determine in a sample of Junior Medical Officers (JMOs): (1) knowledge of the correct order to approach people as substitute decision makers if a patient does not have capacity to consent to treatment; (2) knowledge of the legal validity of ACDs when making healthcare decisions for persons without capacity to consent to treatment, including the characteristics associated with higher knowledge; and (3) barriers to enacting ACDs.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at five public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.

"The History And Politics Of 'False Memories': The Australian Experience".

The Australian history of the false memory (FM) movement has similarities to that of the UK and America, but also important differences that are rarely described in the literature. This article, through an examination of cross-discipline professional literature, media reports, and the personal observations of the second author, describes the history of the FM Movement in Australia and outlines similarities and differences between Australia, the UK and America. All three countries experienced the establishment of false memory syndrome (FMS) societies and a backlash against those reporting or treating child sexual abuse (CSA).

Video-telehealth to support clinical assessment and management of acutely unwell older people in Residential Aged Care: a pre-post intervention study.

Background: Older people living in Residential Aged Care (RAC) are at high risk of clinical deterioration. Telehealth has the potential to provide timely, patient-centred care where transfer to hospital can be a burden and avoided. The extent to which video telehealth is superior to other forms of telecommunication and its impact on management of acutely unwell residents in aged care facilities has not been explored previously.

Effects of Subtypes of Child Maltreatment on CRP in Adulthood.

In order to evaluate the effects of specific forms of childhood maltreatment (CM) upon adult C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, and to further describe the potentially confounding role that recent life stress and depression hold in that relationship, 221 participants from rural Australia ( age = 44yr, SD = 17.8yr) completed self-report questionnaires and provided a blood sample. There were no sex differences in any variables across the 91 males and 130 females, but depression status did confound the association between global CM and CRP.

Lymphoedema after head and neck cancer treatment: an overview for clinical practice.

Lymphoedema is a disorder of the lymphatic system that presents as an atypical swelling and accumulation of protein-rich fluid within the interstitial spaces. Head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) is highly prevalent in patients who have been treated for head and neck cancer (HNC) and may manifest externally on the face and neck; internally within the oral cavity, pharynx or larynx; or as a combination of both. HNL is known to contribute to a wide range of physical, functional and psychological issues, and presents several unique challenges in terms of its management.

Improving Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management of Urinary Incontinence and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms on Acute and Rehabilitation Wards That Admit Adult Patients: Protocol for a Before-and-After Implementation Study.

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are commonly experienced by adult patients in hospitals (inpatients). Although peak bodies recommend that health services have systems for optimal UI and LUTS care, they are often not delivered. For example, results from the 2017 Australian National Stroke Audit Acute Services indicated that of the one-third of acute stroke inpatients with UI, only 18% received a management plan.

A purple patch for evidence-based health policy?

The global focus on nation states' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic has rightly highlighted the importance of science and evidence as the basis for policy action. Those with a lifelong passion for evidence-based policy (EBP) have lauded Australia's and other nations' policy responses to COVID-19 as a breakthrough moment for the cause. This article reflects on the complexity of the public policy process, the perspectives of its various actors, and draws on Alford's work on the Blue, Red and Purple zones to propose a more nuanced approach to advocacy for EBP in health.

Assessment of advance care planning documentation for residents of residential aged care facilities presenting to the emergency department.

Objective This study assessed the availability and quality of advance care planning (ACP) documentation among older residential aged care facility (RACF) residents who presented to the emergency department (ED). Methods A prospective review of the medical records of RACF residents aged ≥75 years who presented to the ED from May to June 2018 was conducted. Availability of ACP was determined based on the presence of an ACP document inclusive of an advance care directive (ACD) in the medical record.

Association between external and internal lymphedema and chronic dysphagia following head and neck cancer treatment.

Background: To examine the relationship between chronic external and internal head and neck lymphedema (HNL) and swallowing function in patients following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment.

Methods: Seventy-nine participants, 1-3 years post treatment were assessed for external HNL using the MD Anderson Cancer Centre Lymphedema Rating Scale, and internal HNL using Patterson's Radiotherapy Edema Rating Scale. Swallowing was assessed via instrumental, clinical and patient-reported outcome measures.

Comparing the prevalence, location, and severity of head and neck lymphedema after postoperative radiotherapy for oral cavity cancers and definitive chemoradiotherapy for oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancers.

Background: This study aimed to examine the prevalence, location, and severity of chronic internal, external, and combined head and neck lymphedema (HNL) in patients with head and neck (HNC) who were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or postoperative radiotherapy (PORT).

Methods: Sixty-two participants between 1 and 3 years post-treatment were recruited. Internal HNL was rated with Patterson's Scale.

Patient perceptions of living with head and neck lymphoedema and the impacts to swallowing, voice and speech function.

Head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) is common following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment, and may contribute to numerous physical, functional and psychological symptoms. However, its impact on swallowing, voice and speech is less well understood. The aim of this study was to use interpretive description to explore patient perceptions relating to the impact of HNL on swallowing, voice and speech.

Perceived utility and relevance of intern well-being sessions.

Background/aim: We conducted a pilot project assessing the perceived utility and relevance of well-being sessions provided to interns at a large regional teaching hospital in Australia, with the aim of promoting intern well-being and fostering a nurturing and supportive learning and work hospital culture.

Methods: Our intervention involved two separate 60-min lectures covering well-being topics and skills to approximately 50 interns within protected teaching time, along with emailed well-being resources. Participants were emailed an online survey asking questions about value and novelty of the sessions, and work satisfaction and stress, as well as open comments.