Editorials

A causal link is conceivable, but how strong is the evidence and how might this change clinical practice?

Bruce J Brew MB BS, MD, FRACP · Catriona A McLean MB BS, PhD, FRCPA · Eugene O Major PhD

How much longer do we have to wait for electronic health records that can generate reliable national data on Australian general practice?

Helena C Britt BA, PhD · Graeme C Miller MB BS, PhD, FRACGP

Introducing a series of articles emerging from a summit convened by the MJA in 2012, to pave the way for high-quality, relevant and implementable health and health care research.

R John Simes MD, SM, FRACP · Steven A R Webb MB BS, PhD, FCICM

The challenge is delivering accessible screening services, followed by optimal management, to the community.

Jonathon Q Ng MB BS, BA, PhD · Nigel Morlet MB BS, FRANZCO, FRACS

Early detection and management can slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

Ian R Hamilton-Craig PhD, FRACP, FCSANZ · Gerald F Watts DSc, MD, FRACP

The 2007–2010 outbreak of Q fever in the Netherlands was the largest ever identified, with 4000 people affected. Although further research is needed on best practice to control transmission and detect and treat infection, lessons have already emerged for Australian medical and public health practitioners.

Heather F Gidding BAppSc, MAppEpid, PhD · Stephen R Graves BSc, MB BS, PhD

Recognition for individuals, and highlighting important causes in healthMost of us who work in health and medicine don’t expect a prize for what we do, but neither are we averse to a bit of competition. From the MJA’s perspective, the output of competitions — often comprising the most innovative and creative of submissions — makes for enriching content. Thus, in concert with a number of ...

Ruth M Armstrong BMed

Extreme rates of gonorrhoea in remote areas must be reducedIn this issue of the Journal, there are two important articles highlighting the disadvantages experienced by Indigenous Australians, and offering important practical suggestions for improving health care.1,2 The article by Graham and colleagues analyses the notification rates for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in Australia by Indigenous status.1 Their findings are stunning. Compared with non-Indigenous Australians, Indigenous Australians have ...

Christopher K Fairley FRACP, PhD, FACSHP · Jane S Hocking MPH, MHlthSc, PhD

Medicare has reduced inequity in access to primary care, but inequities remain for low socioeconomic groups in rural areas, and in access to specialist, psychological and dental care.

Mark F Harris MB BS, FRACGP, MD

A status update on tweets, podcasts, prizes, news . . . and some darn good researchOne of the joys — and one of the problems — of a socially oriented online world is the range of publishing possibilities and demands that modern medical journal editors now face. As the MJA approaches its 100th birthday, how do we take advantage of this new environment, while maintaining ...

Medical Journal of Australia

Public and private payers, professional bodies and government agencies are now engaged in identifying “low-value” health care practices that should no longer be funded. The challenge in this is to develop evidence-based, transparent methods for undertaking this process, that are sensitive to the needs and concerns of patients and clinicians.

Ian A Scott MB BS, FRACP, MHA

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in Australia, with a risk in people under the age of 75 years of one in 18 for men and one in 26 for women. Each year, about 15 000 Australians are diagnosed with CRC, and about 4000 die from it.1 the 5-year survival from CRC is 62%, which is ...

Ingrid Winship MB ChB, MD, FRACP · Aung Ko Win MB BS, MPH

Overseas-trained doctors need guidance through the labyrinth of providing medical care in a new countryAustralia, like many other developed countries, depends on international medical graduates (IMGs) to fill workforce shortages. About one in every three to four members of our medical workforce are trained overseas,1 and this dependency is likely to continue for many more years. IMGs are a heterogeneous group with varied skills and ...

Balakrishnan R Nair AM, MD, FRACP, FRCPE · Mulavana S Parvathy MB BS, FRACGP

Two studies testing interventions that made little difference to patient outcomes demonstrate the importance of translational researchGeneral practitioners are often expected to implement findings of clinical trials done in hospitals or academia. Health policymakers also develop and implement primary health care system changes without proper evaluation or being informed by translational research studies. Two clinical trials reported in this issue of the Journal give us ...

Mark R Nelson MB BS(Hons), FRACGP, PhD

Changing clinician beliefs and behaviour in response to credible evidence of lack of treatment efficacy remains highly challengingArthroscopy is commonly used to treat people with knee pain due to osteoarthritis. However, data collected from randomised controlled trials over the past two decades have provided compelling evidence that, in general, arthroscopic treatment comprising debridement and lavage is no more effective than placebo surgery or non-operative alternatives,1,2 ...

Rachelle Buchbinder MB BS(Hons), MSc, PhD · Ian A Harris MB BS, MMed(Clin Epi), PhD

The central role for Australian general practice in providing high-quality affordable health care for all Australians has been underlined repeatedly by national health bodies including the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC), the Council of Australian Governments Reform Council, the National Primary Health Care Strategy, the National E-Health Transition Authority and Health Workforce Australia. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has recognised general practice ...

Claire L Jackson MB BS, MD, FRACGP