This trial examined the optimal setting for follow-up of patients after treatment for colon cancer by either general practitioners or surgeons. In all, 203 consenting patients who had undergone potentially curative treatment for colon cancer were randomised to follow-up by general practitioners or surgeons. Follow-up guidance recommended three monthly clinical review and annual faecal occult blood tests (FOBT) and were identical in both study arms. Primary outcome measures (measured at baseline, 12 and 24 months were (1) quality of life, SF-12; physical and mental component scores, (2) anxiety and depression: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and (3) patient satisfaction: Patient Visit-Specific Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes (at 24 months) were: investigations, number and timing of recurrences and deaths. In all, 170 patients were available for follow-up at 12 months and 157 at 24 months. At 12 and 24 months there were no differences in scores for quality of life (physical component score, P=0.88 at 12 months; P=0.28 at 24 months: mental component score, P=0.51, P=0.47; adjusted), anxiety (P=0.72; P=0.11) depression (P=0.28; P=0.80) or patient satisfaction (P=0.06, 24 months). General practitioners ordered more FOBTs than surgeons (rate ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.4–4.4), whereas more colonoscopies (rate ratio 0.7, 95% CI 0.5–1.0), and ultrasounds (rate ratio 0.5, 95% CI 0.3–1.0) were undertaken in the surgeon-led group. Results suggest similar recurrence, time to detection and death rates in each group. Colon cancer patients with follow-up led by surgeons or general practitioners experience similar outcomes, although patterns of investigation vary.

Background: Increasing severe vegetation fires worldwide has been attributed to both global environmental change and land management practices. However there is little evidence concerning the population health effects of outdoor air pollution derived from biomass fires. Frequent seasonal bushfires near Darwin, Australia provide an opportunity to examine this issue. We examined the relationship between atmospheric particle loadings <10 microns in diameter (PM 10 ), and emergency hospital admissions for cardio-respiratory conditions over the three fire seasons of 2000, 2004 and 2005. In addition we examined the differential impacts on Indigenous Australians, a high risk population subgroup.

Objective: To ascertain the specialised communication issues clinicians need to understand when preparing international medical graduates (IMGs) for clinical practice in Australia. Study design: Systematic review. Data sources: A series of searches using MEDLINE (1990–2006) was conducted with relevant keywords. Literature from countries with experience in the integration of IMGs into their medical workforces was included. All except four articles were published between 1997 and 2006. Study selection: The initial search identified 748 articles, which reduced to 234 evidence‐based English language articles for review. Of these, only articles relating to postgraduate medical training and overseas trained doctors were selected for inclusion. Data extraction: Titles and abstracts were independently reviewed by two reviewers, with a concordance rate of 0.9. Articles were included if they addressed communication needs of IMGs in training. Any disparities between reviewers about which articles to include were discussed and resolved by consensus. Data synthesis: Key issues that emerged were the need for IMGs to adjust to a change in status; the need for clinicians to understand the high level of English language proficiency required by IMGs; the need for clinicians to develop IMGs’ skills in communicating with patients; the need for clinicians to understand IMGs’ expectations about teaching and learning; and the need for IMGs to be able to interact effectively with a range of people. Conclusion: Training organisations need to ensure that clinicians are aware of the communication issues facing IMGs and equip them with the skills and tools to deal with the problems that may arise.

Objective To examine the relation between use of antibiotics in a cohort of preschool children and nasal carriage of resistant strains of pneumococcus. Design and participants Prospective cohort study over two years of 461 children aged under 4 years living in Canberra, Australia. Main outcome measures Use of drugs, respiratory symptoms, and visits to doctors were documented in a daily diary by parents of the children during 25 months of observation. Isolates of pneumococci, which were cultured from nasal swabs collected approximately six monthly, were tested for antibiotic resistance.Results From the four swab collections 631 positive pneumococcal isolates from 461 children were found, of which 13.6% were resistant to penicillin. Presence of penicillin resistant pneumococci was significantly associated with children's use of a lactam antibiotic in the two months before each swab collection (odds ratio 2.03 (95% confidence interval 1.15 to 3.56, P = 0.01)). The odds ratio of the association remained > 1 (though did not reach significance at the 0.05 level) for use in the six months before swab collection. The association was seen in children who received only penicillin or only cephalosporin antibiotics in that period. The odds ratio was 4.67 (1.29 to 17.09, P = 0.02) in children who had received both types of lactam in the two months before their nasal swab. The modelled odds of carrying penicillin resistant pneumococcus was 4% higher for each additional day of use of lactam antibiotics in the six months before swab collection. Conclusions Reduction in lactam use could quickly reduce the carriage rates of penicillin resistant pneumococci in early childhood. In view of the propensity of these organisms to be spread among children in the community, the prevalence of penicillin resistant organisms may fall as a consequence.