What is known about the topic? Cancer-related malnutrition affects up to 80% of patients depending on the type and stage of cancer. Malnutrition adversely affects treatment outcomes, quality of life, hospital length of stay and mortality. Nutrition screening tools that facilitate identifying malnutrition are poorly utilised, negatively affecting patients. What does this paper add? This study demonstrated dietitian universal nutrition assessment was cost-effective in managing cancer-related malnutrition. What are the implications for practitioners? Dietitians and managers should be aware that identifying and managing malnutrition can result in a National Weighted Activity Unit uplift.

What is known about the topic? Unplanned hospital readmissions are common indicators of healthcare quality, but limited data exist on potentially avoidable unplanned readmissions (PAURs). What does this paper add? This study found that 21% of readmissions were potentially avoidable, with key contributors including relapse of the initial condition, treatment complications, and poor follow-up. What are the implications for practitioners? Reducing PAURs may require a multifaceted approach, including better discharge summaries, assessment of patient readiness, coordinated follow-up, and use of patient education strategies such as teach-back methods.

What is known about the topic? In general, migrants are healthier than the population of the destination country. What does this paper add? Although Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO)-born migrants are less affected by certain long-term health conditions, they are equally or more affected by some other health conditions. A considerable proportion of EMRO-born migrants with long-term health conditions have low socioeconomic status and language proficiency. Those who lived more than a decade previously are more affected by the conditions that are more prevalent among the Australian-born population. What are the implications for practitioners? Chronic condition prevention and management strategies should be designed based on the characteristics and health needs of migrant groups.

What is known about the topic? Interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) is widely recognised as essential for the functioning of high-quality healthcare systems. However, there is limited understanding of whether attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about IPCP differ across various professional groups or clinical settings within these systems. What does this paper add? This cross-sectional study offers new insights into how attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about IPCP vary across different professional groups and clinical settings. It highlights an underexplored area of research, especially considering that much of the existing literature focuses on university students rather than practising healthcare professionals. What are the implications for practitioners? This research provides valuable information for key stakeholders in health policy, management and clinical practice. Understanding the diverse attitudes and beliefs toward IPCP across professional groups can inform workforce planning, enhance interprofessional training programs, and improve collaboration within healthcare teams. Additionally, these insights can support the development of tailored care delivery models that address the specific needs of different professional groups, fostering more effective and cohesive team-based care.

What is known about the topic? Australia’s data linkage infrastructure is evolving. Despite widespread data availability and recognition of the value of data linkage, it continues to be complex, timely, and costly. What does this paper add? This paper introduces data linkage basics for Australian researchers and discusses important considerations for those embarking on data linkage in health research. What are the implications for practitioners? Understanding the basic elements and challenges of data linkage is essential for the success of data linkage projects in delivering on national investments and improving the health and wellbeing of Australians.

What is known about the topic? Little is known about doctors’ perceptions of how voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is operating in Queensland. What does this paper add? This is the first paper to report on doctors’ perceptions of the first year of VAD in Queensland. Semi-structured interviews with 27 doctors highlight that VAD is generally accepted and delivered as a public medical service, however, system access issues remain. What are the implications for practitioners? The first year of VAD in Queensland has been generally positive, with good collaboration with palliative care, however, there is ongoing reliance on individual practitioners for VAD provision.

What is known about the topic? For-profit corporations view the diagnostic imaging market favourably. The level of corporate ownership and its impact on costs and care are unknown. What does this paper add? Eight public limited and investor-backed companies own 51% of all Australian diagnostic imaging clinics. Areas where a single company owned ≥30% of clinics were identified in four jurisdictions. What are the implications for practitioners? Large for-profit corporations dominate the Australian diagnostic imaging sector, with profits primarily generated through tax-payer funded Medicare benefits. Governments have a fiscal obligation to ensure that these providers deliver affordable, high-value care.

What is known about the topic? Digital health innovations provide an option to complement face-to-face healthcare services. What does this paper add? This paper identifies 10 key processes that illustrate value-based healthcare principles in delivering digital health innovations. What are the implications for practitioners? Those developing digital health innovations could use these 10 key processes to investigate how their service can enhance existing healthcare services, emphasising the importance of integrating with face-to-face care rather than operating in isolation. Organisations developing or updating digital health strategic documents may use insights from this analysis to advocate for priority populations.

What is known about the topic? Artificial intelligence (AI) medical scribes aim to reduce documentation burdens by transcribing patient–clinician interactions in real-time. Although mainly studied with doctors, they offer potential benefits such as improved efficiency and patient engagement. However, concerns include accuracy, workflow integration, and diverse documentation needs. What does this paper add? This paper highlights research gaps and the need for discipline-specific evaluations of AI scribes in allied health. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners should consider AI scribes' potential benefits and limitations and undertake more research into their application in allied health settings.

What is known about the topic? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face barriers to accessing health care and, in response, a culturally safe and consumer-focused outpatient service was developed. What does this paper add? An understanding of what is working well, what could be improved and recommendations of the service model. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings contribute to a better understanding of enablers to accessing health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

What is known about the topic? Voluntary assisted dying is a legal end-of-life option in all Australian states, but not all health services support or offer it. In Queensland, the law prescribes actions that non-participating health services must take so that access to voluntary assisted dying is not hindered. What does this paper add? This study explores how privately funded health services in Queensland prepared for the implementation of voluntary assisted dying, highlighting the anticipated challenges. What are the implications for practitioners? Organisational policies related to voluntary assisted dying can support practitioners to ensure their practice meets their legal obligations.

What is known about the topic? Healthcare gaps mean people with type 2 diabetes struggle to attain management goals. Smartphone-based digital health interventions can improve diabetes outcomes, but rely on smartphone ownership and confidence with use. Populations experiencing increased burdens of diabetes overlap with those experiencing barriers to smartphone uptake, potentially contributing to health inequity. What does this paper add? In a socioeconomically marginalised, multiculturally diverse community healthcare setting, we describe the prevalence of smartphone ownership, app use and internet access and factors around uptake and utilisation. What are the implications for practitioners? Smartphone ownership and utilisation are unlikely to be barriers to future uptake of smartphone-based digital health interventions. Focus on tailored supports is needed for older adults and females.