2019 Publications
Is the NHS ‘Heart Age Test’ too much medicine? Carissa Bonner et al
The NHS ‘Heart Age Test’ has expanded cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment in the UK to include younger people (<40 years). Public Health England’s Healthy Heart campaign, launched in September 2018, encourages all adults aged >30 years to do the test, stating: ‘Having a heart [...]
“A Pap smear saved my life”: Personal experiences of cervical abnormalities shape attitudes to cervical screening renewal – Helena Obermair et al
In 2017, the Australian National Cervical Screening Program changed from two-yearly Pap smears between ages 18 and 69, to five-yearly human papillomavirus screening between ages 25 and 74 (the “Renewal”). This study investigated attitudes towards the changes, among individuals previously affected by cervical abnormalities/cervical cancer, [...]
Women’s acceptance of overdetection in breast cancer screening: Can we assess harm-benefit tradeoffs? Anne Stiggelbout et al
Breast cancer screening has been presented to women as mostly positive for decades, despite voices raising issues related to harms since its introduction. Public communications about breast cancer screening tended to use persuasive techniques aimed at maximising uptake. Concern about the harm of overdetection is [...]
Implications for GP endorsement of a diabetes app with patients from culturally diverse backgrounds: a qualitative study – Julie Ayre et al
Although many diabetes self-management apps exist, these are not tailored for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. This study aimed to explore GP perceptions of how diabetes app features could help GPs better support their patients from CALD backgrounds. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews with [...]
Evaluation of the Choosing Wisely Australia 5 Questions resource and a shared decision-making preparation video: protocol for an online experiment – Danielle Muscat et al
Choosing Wisely, an international effort to reduce low value care worldwide, considers communication between clinicians and patients during routine clinical encounters a key mechanism for change. In Australia, Choosing Wisely has developed a 5 Questions resource to facilitate better conversations. The primary aim of this [...]
Home medicines reviews: a qualitative study of GPs’ experiences – Kristie Weir et al
This qualitative study explored GPs' experiences with pharmacist-led home medicines reviews (HMRs) and the barriers and facilitators to GPs using HMRs to optimise medicines for older people. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 GPs Australia-wide. Purposeful sampling was undertaken to obtain a representative group in [...]
Complementary medicine products: information sources, perceived benefits and maternal health literacy – Larisa Barnes et al
Maternal health literacy plays an important role in women's decisions regarding health care during pregnancy and lactation. This systematic review aimed to investigate the use of complementary medicine products by pregnant and breastfeeding women; information sources accessed, and the role health literacy plays in women's [...]
Perceived life expectancy and colorectal cancer screening intentions and behaviour: A population-based UK study – Rachael Dodd et al
The relationships between perceived life expectancy (PLE), cancer screening intentions and behaviour are not well understood, despite the importance of remaining life expectancy for the early diagnosis benefits of screening. This study investigates the relationships between PLE and each of: the intention to complete faecal [...]
The benefits and harms of receiving a polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis: A qualitative study of women’s experiences – Tessa Copp et al
What are the benefits and harms of receiving a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis in a community sample of women, including impact on psychosocial wellbeing, lifestyle choices and behaviour?
Examining the information needed for acceptance of deintensified screening programmes: qualitative focus groups about cervical screening in Australia – Rachael Dodd et al
Given the changing understanding of overdiagnosis of screen detected cancers and advances in technology to detect and prevent cancer, updating and scaling back cancer screening programmes is becoming increasingly necessary. The National Cervical Screening Programme in Australia was recently deintensified, with the changes implemented in [...]