45 and Up COVID Insights: a dynamic and collaborative approach to evidence-making during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: In response to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a research project was developed with a cohort of 45 and Up Study participants to generate timely, relevant evidence to guide policy, practice and planning. This paper describes the research model, the cohort establishment and characteristics, and some findings. METHODS: A subgroup of 45 and Up Study participants was invited to enrol in 45 and Up COVID Insights -a series of five online surveys conducted during 2020-22. The model involved a close collaborative partnership with the New South Wales Ministry of Health and a panel of scientific advisers, an agile data collection methodology and rapid dissemination of findings. Frequent, iterative engagement with stakeholders provided a framework for identifying survey themes and questions and ensured wide dissemination of findings. Themes included healthcare use, attitudes toward and uptake of COVID-19 prevention measures, and the impact of the pandemic on mental health, loneliness, and lifestyle behaviours. RESULTS: 45 and Up COVID Insights achieved strong stakeholder engagement through extensive consultation and rapid reporting of results. The project recruited a diverse cohort of 32 115 participants: median age 68 years (range: 56-100+); 8% from outer regional/remote areas; 12% from the most socioeconomically disadvantaged communities; and 9% from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The first four surveys found that the impact of the pandemic varied across populations and stages of the pandemic. Between February-April (survey 2) 2021, 10% reported missed healthcare in the past month because of the pandemic, rising to 26% by September-November 2021 (survey 4). Quality of life remained high (>90% good-excellent across the surveys). As the pandemic progressed, the proportion reporting worsened mental health as a result increased from 29% (July-December 2020, survey 1) to 46% (survey 4). In survey 2 (February-April 2021), 89% intended to get the COVID-19 vaccine, with 8% unsure. By late 2021, vaccination uptake was high, with 98% of respondents having received at least one vaccination. CONCLUSION: There is great value in harnessing a large longitudinal, well-described, and diverse cohort study to generate evidence in a changing context with evolving information needs. The collaborative model enhanced the value and relevance of the data to inform decisions.

General practitioners' perceptions of population based bowel screening and their influence on practice: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Although largely preventable, Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. General Practitioners (GPs) have an important role to play in prevention and early detection of bowel cancer, however in Australia this is yet to be optimised and participation remains low. This study sought to understand how GPs' perceptions of bowel screening influence their attitudes to, and promotion of the faecal occult blood test (FOBT), to identify opportunities to enhance their role. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 31 GPs from metropolitan and regional New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Discussions canvassed GPs' perceptions of their role in bowel screening and the national screening program; perceptions of screening tests; practices regarding discussing screening with patients; and views on opportunities to enhance their role. Transcripts were coded using Nvivo and thematically analysed. RESULTS: The study revealed GPs' perceptions of screening did not always align with broader public health definitions of 'population screening'. While many GPs reportedly understood the purpose of population screening, notions of the role of asymptomatic screening for bowel cancer prevention were more limited. Descriptions of screening centred on two major uses: the use of a screening 'process' to identify individual patients at higher risk; and the use of screening 'tools', including the FOBT, to aid diagnosis. While the FOBT was perceived as useful for identifying patients requiring follow up, GPs expressed concerns about its reliability. Colonoscopy by comparison, was considered by many as the gold standard for both screening and diagnosis. This perception reflects a conceptualisation of the screening process and associated tools as an individualised method for risk assessment and diagnosis, rather than a public health strategy for prevention of bowel cancer. CONCLUSION: The results show that GPs' perceptions of screening do not always align with broader public health definitions of 'population screening'. Furthermore, the way GPs understood screening was shown to impact their clinical practice, influencing their preferences for, and use of 'screening' tools such as FOBT. The findings suggest emphasising the preventative opportunity of FOBT screening would be beneficial, as would formally engaging GPs in the promotion of bowel screening.

Strengthening public health systems: assessing the attributes of the NSW influenza surveillance system.

OBJECTIVE: In New South Wales (NSW), influenza surveillance is informed by a number of discrete data sources, including laboratories, emergency departments, death registrations and community surveillance programs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the NSW influenza surveillance system using the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems. Importance of study: Having a strong influenza surveillance system is important for both seasonal and pandemic influenza preparedness. The findings will inform recommendations for strengthening surveillance in NSW. METHODS: The scope was limited to all sources included in the NSW Health Influenza Report in 2012-13. To assess the performance of the system, in-depth interviews (N = 21) were conducted with key stakeholders and thematically analysed. Respiratory testing data gathered through the sentinel laboratories in 2012 were used to estimate sensitivity, and laboratory notifications were analysed to assess timeliness and representativeness. Key documents - including reports, guidelines, correspondence and meeting minutes - were also reviewed, providing a method of triangulation. RESULTS: The NSW influenza surveillance system integrates multiple sources of surveillance of influenza and influenza-like illness to provide a comprehensive picture of influenza in the community. Despite its structural complexity, the system delivers quality, timely and relevant data to inform a range of public health activities, and the NSW Health Influenza Report is well regarded by stakeholders. Challenges include managing system complexity, key person risk and cross-jurisdictional issues. Stakeholders commented that system flexibility would depend on additional resourcing. Although the sensitivity of sentinel laboratory surveillance was estimated as 1-25%, depending on the time of year, understanding sensitivity remains a challenge in influenza surveillance where the true incidence of infection is unknown. CONCLUSION: Influenza surveillance is critical for monitoring virological changes, understanding disease epidemiology and informing public health responses. The system was found to deliver timely and good-quality surveillance information. Additional value could be achieved by increasing flexibility and stability, automating systems (where possible) and formalising processes of data acquisition. The system continues to negotiate a number of constraints, including complexity and cross-jurisdictional issues, which are ongoing obstacles to realising some potential system improvements.

A qualitative investigation of factors influencing participation in bowel screening in New South Wales.

Issue addressed Bowel cancer is Australia's second biggest cancer killer. Yet, despite the existence of a free national bowel-screening program, participation in this program remains low. The aim of the present study was to understand the current factors contributing to this trend to help inform future strategies to increase participation. Methods Eight focus groups (n=61 in total) were conducted with participants aged 45 years and over from metropolitan and regional New South Wales (NSW). Discussions canvassed awareness, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding bowel cancer and screening, and explored how these factors influenced decisions to screen. Results The low public profile of bowel cancer compared with other cancers, together with poor knowledge of its prevalence and treatability, has contributed to a low perception of risk in the community. Minimal understanding of the often-asymptomatic presentation of bowel cancer and the role of screening in prevention has appeared to compromise the perceived value of screening. In addition, confusion regarding when, and how often, individuals should screen was apparent. Knowledge of bowel cancer and screening, and its role in motivating intention to screen, emerged as a dominant theme in the data. Conclusions The present study highlights specific knowledge gaps and confusion with regard to bowel cancer and screening. Addressing these gaps through the provision of clear, coordinated information may shift attitudes to screening and increase participation. So what? Given the Australian Government's recent commitment to expand the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, insight into what is driving current perceptions, attitudes and subsequent participation in bowel cancer screening is crucial to the development and targeting of new approaches and initiatives.

Models of smoking cessation brief interventions in oral health.

The links between tobacco smoking, and periodontal disease and oral cancer make the inclusion of smoking cessation interventions at dental visits an important prevention strategy in oral health services. The 5As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange), which utilises a stages of change model, is the most commonly recognised framework for the provision of smoking cessation brief interventions and is advocated widely. While the popularity of the 5As continues, increasingly evidence suggests that staged-based interventions in smoking cessation may not be the best approach. Lack of time and expertise are also cited by health professionals as barriers to undertaking brief interventions and thus abbreviated forms of the 5As have been advocated. In 2009, NSW Health introduced a mandatory policy for public dental services in NSW to conduct smoking cessation brief interventions at the chairside based on a three-step approach, which is currently being evaluated. Given the debate and the pending evaluation results, this paper reviews models of smoking cessation brief interventions, to contribute to achieving a best practice model for public oral health in NSW.