Interrogating the intentions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health: a narrative review of research outputs since the introduction of Closing the Gap.

Despite the "best of intentions", Australia has fallen short of federal targets to close the gap in disproportionate health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. We examined 2150 original research articles published over the 12-year period (from 2008 to 2020), of which 58% used descriptive designs and only 2.6% were randomised controlled trials. There were few national studies. Studies were most commonly conducted in remote settings (28.8%) and focused on specific burdens of disease prevalent in remote areas, such as infectious disease, hearing and vision. Analytic observational designs were used more frequently when addressing burdens of disease, such as cancer and kidney and urinary, respiratory and endocrine diseases. The largest number of publications focused on mental and substance use disorders (n = 322, 20.5%); infectious diseases (n = 222, 14.1%); health services planning, delivery and improvement (n = 193, 33.5%); and health and wellbeing (n = 170, 29.5%). This review is timely given new investments in Aboriginal health, which highlights the importance of Aboriginal researchers, community leadership and research priority. We anticipate future outputs for Aboriginal health research to change significantly from this review, and join calls for a broadening of our intellectual investment in Aboriginal health.

Impact of routine pre-operative risk assessment on patients undergoing emergency major abdominal surgery in a regional Victorian hospital.

BACKGROUND: Routine preoperative risk assessment (RPRA) using objective risk prediction tools may improve the perioperative outcomes of emergency major abdominal surgery (EMAS). This project aims to identify whether the introduction of RPRA with the 'National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) Calculator' as standard-of-care for EMAS at a regional Victorian hospital has improved postoperative outcomes, reduced unplanned postoperative critical care unit (CCU) admission rates, and impacted the 'no-lap' rate. METHODS: An audit was performed including all adult general surgery patients who required EMAS at Bendigo Health between September 2017 and August 2022, including those palliated up-front. Patients requiring surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis, cholecystitis, trauma, and diagnostic laparoscopy were excluded. Patient demographics, preoperative NELA score, CCU admission data and postoperative outcomes were collected and compared between patients undergoing surgery before and after the introduction of RPRA. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety-one patients were included in the analysis. Median NELA score was 5 (IQR 1.5-11.75). 2.60% of patients were palliated up-front and did not proceed to surgery. Among the 673 operative patients, 30-day mortality was 5.20%. Following the introduction of RPRA there was a significant reduction in the unplanned CCU admission rate, from 9.14% to 3.48% (P = 0.04). There was no change in postoperative mortality, severe complication rate or planned CCU admission rate. CONCLUSION: RPRA reduced rate of unplanned CCU admissions. Postoperative mortality and complication rates did not change following introduction of RPRA. RPRA appears useful in guidance of preoperative palliative decision-making, but further study is required to validate its use in this context.

Facilitating High Quality Cancer Care: A Qualitative Study of Australian Chairpersons' Perspectives on Multidisciplinary Team Meetings.

AIM: Multidisciplinary team meetings (MDMs) are a critical element of quality care for people diagnosed with cancer. The MDM Chairperson plays a significant role in facilitating these meetings, which are often time-poor environments for clinical decision making. This study examines the perceptions of MDM Chairpersons including their role and the factors that determine the quality of a Chair, as well as the Chairperson's perception of the value of personally attending meetings. METHODS: This qualitative study used telephone interviews to explore the experiences of MDM Chairpersons from metropolitan and regional New South Wales, Australia. Using a state-wide register, 43 clinicians who chaired lung, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and breast cancer meetings were approached to participate. Thematic data analysis was used to develop and organise themes. RESULTS: Themes from the 16 interviews identified the perceived need for an expert and efficient MDM Chairperson with emphasis on personal rather than technical skills. The remaining themes related to the benefits of meetings to ensure quality and consistency of care; improve inter-professional relationships; and provide communication with and reassurance for patients. CONCLUSION: The role of the MDM Chairperson requires expert management and leadership skills to ensure meetings support quality patient-centred care. MDMs are perceived to provide multiple benefits to both clinicians and patients. Efforts to train Chairs and to maximise clinician and patient benefits may be warranted given the costly and time-consuming nature of MDMs.