Paving the way for quality assured, decentralised point-of-care testing for infectious disease in primary care - Real world lessons from remote Australia.

Introduction: Decentralized molecular testing for infectious disease diagnosis at the point-of-care (POC) is critical to address inequities in access to timely, informed health care. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the demand, development and adoption of POC tests for infectious diseases globally. This has provided opportunities to maximize the individual benefits and public health impact of POC testing, particularly in remote and resource-limited primary care settings.

Providing early access to geriatric oncology services in a regional cancer centre - A two-year experience in the establishment of a Geriatric Oncology Nurse Navigator Model.

Introduction: Older patients with cancer often face increased risks of adverse reactions and complications when undergoing systemic therapy. In 2020, the Townsville Cancer Centre in North Queensland established a nurse navigator led geriatric oncology service for patients aged 75 years and above referred for systemic therapy for solid organ malignancy. This study sought to evaluate the safety outcomes and trends in the administration of systemic therapy in older patients following the introduction of this service.

The impact of COVID-19 on colorectal cancer in regional Northern Australia and changes to treatment related to distance to care: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges in the diagnosis and management of colorectal cancer (CRC). It was proposed in regional Northern Australia that the distance to services could further impact cancer outcomes, leading to delayed diagnosis. The authors compared the outcomes of patients prior and during the pandemic; with a focus on whether patients were presenting in the emergency setting with more advanced disease.

Metformin for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Background: Metformin has been used in the management of diabetes for decades. It is an effective, low-cost intervention with a well-established safety profile. Emerging evidence suggests that metformin targets a number of pathways that lead to chronic kidney damage, and long-term use may, therefore, slow the rate of kidney function decline and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression.

Administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors at rural towns using the Teleoncology model of care-A North Queensland perspective.

Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the safety of administering immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and monitoring for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) using the Teleoncology model of care.

Design: A retrospective cohort study comparing two patient groups.

Setting: The North Queensland Teleoncology Network (NQTN) operated by the Townsville (THHS) and Cairns Hospital Health Services (CHHS) with the Townsville Cancer Centre (TCC) acting as the control group setting.

Q Fever awareness and risk profiles among agricultural show attendees.

Objective: To assess awareness and risk of Q fever among agricultural show attendees.

Setting: University of New England's Farm of the Future Pavilion, 2019, Sydney Royal Agricultural Show.

Participants: Participants were ≥18 years, fluent in English, Australian residents, and gave their informed consent.

Use of Virtual Reality for minor procedures in the Emergency Department: A scoping review.

Background: The objective of this review was to collate, summarise and report evidence on the use of VR as an interventional tool for pain and anxiety management during ED procedures.

Methods: Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) we searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and PsychInfo databases, grey literature and reference lists of included studies.

Results: From 162 articles, 4 fulfilled the selection criteria and demonstrated VR was effective as an intervention for management of pain and anxiety during ED procedures.

Influences on drinking choices among Indigenous and non-Indigenous pregnant women in Australia: A qualitative study.

Despite women's awareness that drinking alcohol in pregnancy can lead to lifelong disabilities in a child, it appears that an awareness alone does not discourage some pregnant women from drinking. To explore influences on pregnant women's choices around alcohol use, we conducted interviews and group discussions with 14 Indigenous Australian and 14 non-Indigenous pregnant women attending antenatal care in a range of socioeconomic settings. Inductive content analysis identified five main influences on pregnant women's alcohol use: the level and detail of women's understanding of harm; women's information sources on alcohol use in pregnancy; how this information influenced their choices; how women conceptualised their pregnancy; and whether the social and cultural environment supported abstinence.

Swallowing disorders in an older fractured hip population.

Objective: Dysphagia is prevalent in the older population and might lead to complications, such as pneumonia, malnutrition and dehydration. This study examines an older population post hip-fracture surgery to examine the factors correlated with dysphagia, severity of dysphagia and the incidence of dysphagia in a regional setting.

Design: This prospective cohort study replicates Love et al's (2013, Age Ageing, 42:782) and compares the studies' results.

Job satisfaction of mental healthcare workers in multidisciplinary teams.

Background: Various factors may influence job satisfaction for mental healthcare professionals. Identifying these factors can help identify strategies to strengthen job satisfaction.

Aims: To determine the current levels of job satisfaction for mental healthcare workers (MHCWs) in multidisciplinary teams, and to identify factors that impact this experience.

Gait parameters of people with diabetes-related neuropathic plantar foot ulcers.

Background: Foot ulceration associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a global concern. Biomechanical investigation allows the identification of gait abnormalities that may adversely affect ulcer healing. The objective of this case-control study was to compare the gait parameters of cases with diabetes-related foot ulcers to controls.

Towards culturally appropriate assessment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional well-being.

Objective: Identification of need for specialist assessment and the use of relevant cultural information to inform mental health assessment and care are two key factors in improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander access to and experience of mental health care. This paper describes the Here and Now Aboriginal Assessment tool (HANAA) and the Cultural Information Gathering Tool (CIGT), two instruments developed to be used respectively by non-mental health clinicians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers.

Method: Following widespread consultations and feedback, two independent groups of mental health clinicians based in Western Australia and Queensland were involved in developing the HANAA and CIGT.