What is known about the topic? University students studying midwifery must complete statutory regulations to achieve registration as a midwife in Australia. Pregnancy results in an interruption to study and the completion of mandatory requirements. What does this paper add? Students attempt to balance new motherhood with the pressures of returning to their clinical midwifery placement and their continuity of care experiences soon after birth. What are the implications for practitioners? The national statutory legislation provides the health practitioner with boundaries around when to commence maternity leave, however, there is no recommendation around the minimum length of postnatal convalescence.

What is known about the topic? It is difficult to engage trainee medical officers in hospital initiatives and clinical leadership due to competing demands for their time. What does this paper add? Trainee medical officers were engaged in organisational initiatives at a large public health service through the establishment of a formal representative body. We provide a case study and evaluation of this representative body, including surveys of trainees and other key stakeholders. What are the implications for practitioners? The development of a community of practice may promote clinical leadership and organisational involvement among trainee medical officers.

What is known about this topic? A number of emergency telehealth services have been developed across Australia as a means to provide emergency care outside of the emergency department. These largely operate independently with varying models of care. What does this paper add? This paper outlines the framework of a virtual emergency department in the southeast of Melbourne, a collaborative endeavour of three networks. What are the implications for practitioners? This article provides an example of the incorporation of telehealth into the functioning of health organisations to enable a transition to the more digitally integrated health service of the future.

What is known about the topic? Accreditation to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Standards for general practices was developed with the intent of giving assurance to the public as to the safety and quality of general practice. What does this paper add? A comparison of the 4th and 5th edition standards highlighted the overall scope of the editions remains very similar. Increased non-conformity of indicators was identified during the 5th edition (full-day) visit compared the 4th edition (half-day) visit. What are the implications for practitioners? Time spent on-site by surveyors impacts the rate of indicator non-conformity of general practices.

What is known about the topic? Anecdotal data suggests Australians are importing prescription medicines from abroad for cost and convenience but there is no data about its extent. What does this paper add? This study is the first to estimate the incidence of personal importation of prescription medicines in Australia. It shows hundreds of thousands of Australians are engaging in this behaviour, and that doctors contribute to it. Financial concerns are a driver of importation. What are the implications for practitioners? A new unregulated market for prescription medicines has emerged with far-reaching implications for therapeutic goods regulation and medical practice.

What is known about the topic? Hospitals are using Process Improvement (PI) methods to reduce activities that do not add value to the customer and reap financial benefits as a means of addressing the rising costs of health care. What does this paper add? Hospitals must employ methods to measure and realise financial benefits of PI activities if they are to intentionally reinvest savings in other activities, including the organisational bottom line. What are the implications for practitioners? Hospitals should consider the practices of the financial savings programs to learn how to apply financial measurement and capture to PI activities.

What is known about the topic? Whilst evidence internationally suggests ME/CFS has a very high economic burden, very few studies have specifically explored the economic impact of ME/CFS in Australia. What does this paper add? This study reports that ME/CFS costs the Australian society up to AUD10 billion per year. Productivity losses and informal carer costs are the main contributors to this. What are the implications for practitioners? It is critically important that practitioners are supported to diagnose and manage ME/CFS. This can be achieved through the development of Australian clinical guidelines and prioritisation of research funding to develop diagnostic approaches and therapeutic interventions to manage ME/CFS.

What is known about this topic? The optimal use of intensive care for patients undergoing elective surgery is not known, despite it comprising 36% of all intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in Australia and New Zealand. What does this paper add? This perspective discusses the literature on intensive care after elective surgery and highlights key points that require clarification and further research. What are the implications for practitioners? Optimising how ICU resources are used after elective surgery at the local and system level is required. This must be done in an evidence-based fashion.

What is known about the topic? Delivering complex low-volume, high-cost surgical programs presents a number of unique health management challenges. What does this paper add? Lessons learned during the evolution of a comprehensive, state-wide quaternary referral model for a complex surgical service (pelvic exenteration). What are the implications for practitioners? The model provides an approach to navigating specific funding and other health management issues that arise when governing complex surgical services.

What is known about this topic? The Australian Medicare Better Access initiative in mental health reached one in every 10 Australians in 2021 (more than 2.6 million people) with interventions targeted at mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression. What does this paper add? The benefits of Better Access may have been overestimated and the iatrogenic potential underestimated. What are the implications for practitioners? Mild anxiety and depression may worsen with Better Access psychotherapy, while severe conditions seem considerably more likely to improve.

What is known about this topic? Electronic health records have been widely adopted in healthcare in Australia and internationally with projected benefits and risks. What does this paper add? Many of the promised benefits of electronic health records have not been realised. What are the implications for practitioners? Electronic health record platforms should be continuously evaluated and enhanced, based on user feedback on benefits and risks.

What is known about this topic? The Project Synergy/InnoWell digital health platform was funded by the Australian federal government to improve access to and quality of primary healthcare. What does this paper add? Although the platform did not directly provide care, the evidence for improved access and clinical outcomes from the platform was examined, but found wanting. What are the implications for practitioners? For the significant investment from the Australian federal government, the Project Synergy/InnoWell platform does not seem to have demonstrated clinical outcomes of healthcare value to date.