2021 Archives - Sydney Health Literacy Lab

COVID-19 challenges faced by general practitioners in Australia: a survey study conducted in March 2021 – Tessa Copp et al

Limited studies at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic found GPs have been negatively affected by increased workload, reduced income and major concerns about staff and patient safety. This study aimed to investigate the challenges of COVID-19 in general practice 1 year since it was [...]

Exploring the expectations, experiences and tensions of refugee patients and general practitioners in the quality of care in general practice – Pinika Patel et al

Refugees and asylum seekers arrive in the Australian community with complex health needs and expectations of healthcare systems formed from elsewhere. Navigating the primary healthcare system can be challenging with communication and language barriers. In multicultural societies, this obstacle may be removed by accessing language-concordant [...]

Assessing the Potential for Patient-led Surveillance After Treatment of Localized Melanoma (MEL-SELF): A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial – Deonna Ackermann,…Jolyn Hersch et al

This pilot randomized clinical trial including 100 patients found that patient-led surveillance was safe, feasible, and acceptable. Despite limited statistical power to detect effects on secondary outcomes, the intervention appears to improve skin self-examination practice and detection of subsequent new primary melanomas.

Can patient-led surveillance detect subsequent new primary or recurrent melanoma and reduce the need for routinely scheduled follow-up? A protocol for the MEL-SELF randomised controlled trial – Deonna Ackermann,…Jolyn Hersch et al

Most subsequent new primary or recurrent melanomas might be self-detected if patients are trained to systematically self-examine their skin and have access to timely medical review (patient-led surveillance). Routinely scheduled clinic visits (clinician-led surveillance) is resource-intensive and has not been shown to improve health outcomes; [...]

Factors involved in treatment decision making for women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ: A qualitative study – Amy Hatton,…Jolyn Hersch et al

Whilst some of the diversity in management of women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) may be explained by tumour characteristics, the role of patient preference and the factors underlying those preferences have been less frequently examined. We have used a descriptive qualitative study to [...]

COVID-19 vaccine intentions in Australia – Kristen Pickles et al (Letter)

Prior to the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine and when case numbers were low, our longitudinal survey with Australian adults showed that 85·8% (3741 of 4362) were willing to be vaccinated in April, 2020, and 89·8% (1144 of 1274) in July, 2020. Younger adults perceived themselves [...]

Demographics, health literacy and health locus of control beliefs of Australian women who take complementary medicine products during pregnancy and breastfeeding: A cross-sectional, online, national survey – Larisa Barnes et al

Pregnant and breastfeeding women's use of complementary medicine products (CMPs) is common, and possibly associated with autonomous health care behaviours. However, the health literacy levels and health locus of control beliefs of women who use CMPs in pregnancy and lactation have not been previously assessed [...]

Unique considerations for exercise programs to prevent future low back pain: the patient perspective – Julie Ayre et al

There is moderate quality evidence that exercise can help prevent future low back pain (LBP). This study aimed to explore patient needs and preferences for exercise programs to prevent LBP, and the outcomes of these programs that would be most important to a patient.

Patient-Reported Factors Associated With Older Adults’ Cancer Screening Decision-making: A Systematic Review – Jenna Smith et al

Decisions for older adults (aged ≥65 years) and their clinicians about whether to continue to screen for cancer are not easy. Many older adults who are frail or have limited life expectancy or comorbidities continue to be screened for cancer despite guidelines suggesting they should [...]

Effect of a school-based educational intervention about the human papillomavirus vaccine on psychosocial outcomes among adolescents: analysis of secondary outcomes of a cluster randomized trial – Cristyn Davies et al

This study aimed to examine the effect of a HPV vaccination education and logistical intervention on adolescent psychosocial outcomes. Delivery of vaccination to adolescents via a school-based program provides an opportunity to promote their involvement in health decision-making, service provision, and self-efficacy (belief in one’s [...]