Population mammography-screening programs aim to prevent women dying from breast cancer through earlier detection and treatment. Improvements in mammographic technology hold the promise of increasing the benefit of screening by increasing the detection of clinically important breast cancers. However, determining whether such theoretical benefits are [...]
The Australian National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) introduced in 1991 has shown demonstrable success in reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality in women aged 18 to 69 years screened with cytology every two years. Additionally, the implementation of a National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program [...]
Research into health literacy and shared decision-making has largely developed along parallel, but distinct lines over the past two decades. There is little evidence that the concepts and related practice have intersected except in the most functional way, for example, to simplify shared decision-making tools [...]
Indicators based on hospital administrative data have potential for misclassification error, especially if they rely on clinical detail that may not be well recorded in the data. We applied an approach using modified logistic regression models to assess the misclassification (false-positive and false-negative) rates of [...]
In December 2017, the Australian National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) changed from cytology (Pap testing) to human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, increased the age of first invitation to screen, and extended the screening interval. These changes were known as the “Renewal”. When the changes were announced, [...]
It’s time for patients and clinicians to have frank discussions about what diagnostic imaging scans can do for low back pain, and what they cannot, according to research published recently in BMJ Open. Three of the authors, Adrian Traeger, Swee Sharma and Chris Maher, all from the Institute [...]
Prof Chris Maher talks to Channel 10's The Project about how one of the most popular prescribed pain meds can have alarming side effects.
Research into health literacy and shared decision-making has largely developed along parallel, but distinct lines over the past two decades. There is little evidence that the concepts and related practice have intersected except in the most functional way, for example, to simplify shared decision-making tools [...]
Examining patient and public understanding of overtesting and overdiagnosis (OverTD) is vital for reducing the burden of OverTD. Studies from disparate contexts, disciplines and focusing on disparate healthcare issues have examined patient and public understanding of OverTD. A synthesis is needed to bring this literature [...]
Here we report the findings of a qualitative interview study carried out as part of a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a health literacy program delivered in adult education settings in New South Wales, Australia. Qualitative methodologies were employed to gain a broader understanding of program impacts [...]