What is known about the topic? Little is known about the state of mental health reform in Australia. This article describes the struggle to develop the systems of accountability necessary to assess national progress. What does this paper add? We provide some historical context regarding mental health reform and consider recent efforts in particular, before then describing current key opportunities. What are the implications for practitioners? Many people working in mental health are struggling to deliver quality services to Australians. This paper considers the broad policy issues which have led to this situation. This is useful for practitioners who can then better respond and participate in processes of systemic reform. Opportunities to engage now in key policy formulation are identified in the article.

What is known about the topic? Cost is thought to be a barrier to access to primary care for people with mental illness. What does this paper add? Nearly three-quarters of clients of one mental health services do not report cost to be a barrier to primary care. What are the implications for practitioners? Efforts to help people with mental illness engage in primary care may be best directed towards areas other than the cost of access.

What is known about the topic? Young-onset dementia refers to a dementia with onset at less than 65 years of age. People with young-onset dementia may contact mental health services for support but the reasons for contact are unknown. What does this paper add? The reasons for contacting one Victorian mental health service included behaviour changes such as agitation or aggression and psychotic symptoms (74%) and general advice, including about dementia pathways (14%). General practitioners made up one-third of referral sources. What are the implications for practitioners? Victorian mental health services are generally overloaded and complex. There is a need to promote alternative dementia support organisations in order to provide an alternative contact for people affected by young-onset dementia.

What is known about the topic? The health workforce and health tasks are highly contested and largely controlled by regulation. Since the introduction of medical regulation in the mid-19th century, the practice of surgery has been largely dominated by medically trained surgeons. A small group of Australian podiatrists have defied these historic boundaries by creating their own colleges of training and convincing government and regulators of their safety and efficacy in surgical practice. The Podiatry Board of Australia commissioned an independent review of the regulation and regulatory practices of podiatric surgeons in Australia. What does this paper add? This paper discusses the implications of a regulatory review of the role of podiatric surgeons for professional role boundaries. What are the implications for practitioners? Despite historic role boundaries and definitions, with appropriate training, regulation, and financing, the health workforce can be mobilised in different ways to meet population needs, overcoming a professional monopoly over roles.

What is known about the topic? Radiographers can form an essential role in preliminarily interpreting images and communicating critical findings to ensure timely patient care. What does this paper add? Unknown to many, the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia requires radiographers to take responsibility for patient care and communicate significant findings immediately to the treating team. This is executed via a system known as preliminary image evaluation. What are the implications for practitioners? Implementing preliminary image evaluation into local centres is an easy method to reduce diagnostic errors and ensure urgent findings are communicated in a timely manner.

What is known about the topic? Sonographers are well-known for their diagnostic roles in medical ultrasound though many have significant exposure to a range of interventional procedures. What does this paper add? Some sonographers are trained and qualified in these, including performing ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal injections. What are the implications for practitioners? A number of barriers exist for sonographers to use these skills to potential within the Australian healthcare system.

What is known about the topic? The pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) was implemented to enhance hospital patient safety; however, there is evidence that it is underused by health professionals. What does this paper add? We argue that health professionals’ behaviours within the pre-MET be understood differently by using the 'Behaviour Change Wheel’, where behaviour is driven by capability, opportunity, and motivation. What are the implications for practitioners? To improve patient safety and assist in formulating theory-based solutions, hospital leaders and health services researchers are called upon to examine the pre-MET using behaviour change theory.

What is known about the topic? Due to the increasing demand for palliative care services, this care is increasingly delivered by general non-specialist clinicians such as allied health professionals. What does this paper add? This study provides evidence for how often a surveyed population of allied health professionals in rural and regional Australia are providing care to people with a terminal illness, as well as their confidence, competence and learning needs. What are the implications for practitioners? High-quality care is needed at end-of-life, therefore rural and regional health services need to support allied health professionals to increase confidence and competence in providing palliative care.

What is known about the topic? Healthcare workers often experience additional challenges and stressors returning to work after parental leave compared to other workers. What does this paper add? The COVID-19 pandemic had a unique impact on the parental leave and return to work experiences of healthcare workers who reported positive and negative aspects including isolation, limited workplace communication and increased opportunities for bonding with their baby. What are the implications for practitioners? Appropriate organisational initiatives may alleviate staff distress and support their return to work and could include formal return to work programs, regular managerial contact and workplace reorientation.

What is known about the topic? The value of research is well-recognised as a crucial part of the surgical training pathway. Despite this, minimal contemporary evidence exists which explores the impact of higher degrees by research (HDR) on academic career pathways in the Australian context. What does this paper add? Contemporary evidence was obtained to understand why Australian surgeons undertake HDRs and how their completion impacts the surgical career pathway. What are the implications for practitioners? By understanding the role of HDRs in the surgical landscape, practitioners can ensure beneficial support for future academic surgeons is in place.

What is known about the topic? Triage systems can be used to prioritise the order in which patients are treated in a pandemic, but the views of the general public on using chronic comorbidity as intensive care unit (ICU) triage criteria are unknown. What does this paper add? This Australian survey, conducted during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, demonstrated that the majority of respondents perceived ICU triage methods based on comorbidity to be fair, but significant ethical issues exist. What are the implications for practitioners? It may be possible to develop an ICU triage protocol for future pandemics in Australia, but further research is required.

What is known about the topic? Workforce development needs related to the management of people recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are relatively unknown, due to the novelty of the virus and sustained pressure on the healthcare system due to the pandemic. What does this paper add? The paper identifies resource gaps and potential improvements from the clinician perspective. It also emphasises the urgent need for tailored, multidisciplinary resources and workforce capacity building. What are the implications for practitioners? Access to accessible updated resources and continuing professional development is critical for allied health clinicians in the evolving field of COVID-19 rehabilitation.

What is known about the topic? Quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact physical and mental health. What does this paper add? A health package of light intensity exercise, advice on anxiety management and nutritional information demonstrated maintenance of physical and mental health and reduced fatigue in people with and without mild COVID-19 in hotel quarantine. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners should consider providing a health package of exercise, anxiety management and nutritional information to help people in quarantine to cope with the physical and mental isolation. Adequate staffing is required to enable implementation.

What is known about this topic? We discuss a recently published paper that alleges clinicians are causal agents of non-compliant billing of Medicare. What does this paper add? The paper’s arguments are partially supported by unreferenced assertions, potential logical fallacies, inaccurate reporting of referenced material and unsubstantiated rhetoric. What are the implications for practitioners? Due to the lack of substantive evidence, it cannot be concluded that clinicians are the causal agents of non-compliant billing of Medicare.