Objective Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients commonly undergo radiation therapy requiring immobilisation by a mask. Some find the mask distressing, and this can disrupt treatment sessions. This study aimed to explore the patient experience of immobilisation masks in the Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) context, to guide possible intervention. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with HNC patients who had completed radiation therapy, recruited via hospitals and social media. Interviews continued until data saturation; then, three further interviews were conducted for member‐checking purposes. Qualitative methodology with thematic analysis was used to identify themes in the data. Results Twenty HNC survivors participated in interviews, and seven themes were identified: information received by participants, potential predictors of mask anxiety, participant reactions to the mask, trajectories of mask anxiety, supportive behaviour and communication of health professionals, coping with the mask, and thoughts and feelings about the mask. Conclusions Participant experiences of the immobilisation mask were diverse. The findings fit with Lazarus and Folkman's (Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York, NY: Springer Pub. Co) transactional model of stress and coping, as participants appeared to make cognitive appraisals of the mask and their coping abilities throughout treatment, resulting in varied levels of mask‐related distress. Complex intervention is recommended to reduce mask anxiety in HNC patients across ANZ.

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Across North America and in other parts of the world, there has been a growing recognition that a large gap exists between public health knowledge generated through scientific discovery and its application in individual, community, organizational, and policy innovation. An academic-funder partnership sought to identify potential actions to improve the translation of public health research to practice in Missouri. Concept mapping, a structured conceptualization process, was used to develop information to support a local action planning effort to improve research translation to practice in Missouri. Nine conceptual clusters emerged: (1) provide education and training; (2) enhance capacity; (3) change incentives and accountability; (4) shift funding toward community needs; (5) support practice-based research; (6) engage and collaborate with the community; (7) share knowledge; (8) engage influentials; and (9) sustain momentum; action plans were drafted to address priorities in each cluster. The project connected the ideas of a wide-ranging set of stakeholders, identified areas of high-level agreement among stakeholders, and supported shared agenda setting.