McConigley R, Holloway K, Smith J, Halkett G, Keyser J, Aoun S, Monterosso L 2010, ‘The Diagnosis and Treatment Decisions of Cancer Patients in Rural Western Australia’, Cancer Nursing. Vol 33 (6) Nov – Dec. EPublication ahead of print

This Western Australian based study explored the reasons why people living in rural areas may have a delayed cancer diagnosis, and what issues affected the decisions they made regarding their cancer treatment. Interviews were conducted with 18 people from three rural regions who had received treatment for cancer. Four main themes relating to the experiences of rural cancer patients during their journey through the health care system were identified: experiences of diagnosis and referral, the treatment journey, and managing your own care. The final overarching theme, ‘implicit faith’ described the level of confidence that rural cancer patients had in the health system, often despite delays and inconveniences. The authors concluded there is a need to improve primary health care and care coordination for rural cancer patients living in Australia, and to promote self-advocacy and consumer empowerment for rural cancer patients. They also suggest that rural patients need help and support throughout their cancer journey, including through the process of diagnosis.

For more information contact Dr Ruth McConigley, Western Australian Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, Curtin University r.mcconigley@curtin.edu.au

Naccarella L, White V, King, S 2010, Final Report: Perceptions of the Role of the Primary Care Generalist within Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Team, Australian Health Workforce Institute and Cancer Council Victoria

This qualitative study investigated the perceptions, experiences and expectations of people with cancer, cancer specialists, general practitioners, and members of Victorian cancer support organisations about the role of GPs within multidisciplinary cancer care teams. The context of the study was that the Victorian Action Plan (2008 – 2011) advocates a multidisciplinary team care approach for people with cancer, but limited information exists about what people with cancer want from or value about their generalist primary care providers. Key findings and implications for policy, practice and research are discussed in the final report, and include:

• People with cancer and GPs do not use the term ‘team’ when discussing cancer care arrangements
• Relationships and communication between GPs, cancer care professionals and people with cancer were viewed as critical to ensure consistent, collaborative cancer care for the person with cancer
• Many people with cancer viewed their GPs as having a central role in their health care, and this includes their overall health throughout their cancer care journey. However, there is a lack of clarity among people with cancer, GPs and cancer specialists about GP roles within multidisciplinary cancer care teams.

For more information contact Dr Lucio Naccarella, Australian Health Workforce Institute, University of Melbourne l.naccarella@unimelb.edu.au

Emery JD, Hunter J, Hall PN, Watson AJ, Moncrieff M, Walter FM 2010, ‘Accuracy of SIAscopy for pigmented skin lesions encountered in primary care: development and validation of a new diagnostic algorithm’, BMC Dermatology, 10:9

The background for this study was the diagnostic and management challenges GPs face in assessing pigmented skin lesions. The paper reports an innovative approach using SIAscopy, a non-invasive multi spectural scanning technique which gains micro-architectural information about the skin in seconds.

The primary aim of the study was to develop and validate a scoring system for SIAscopic diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions in a primary care setting and, since all studies to date on SIAscopy have been conducted in the UK, it also aimed to validate the technique in an Australian context to examine its generalisability to populations with greater sun-related skin damage.

The authors conclude that the development of the primary care scoring algorithm could play a useful role in improving primary care management of pigmented skin lesions. They also suggest that further work is needed to develop and validate the PCSA in other primary care populations and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of GP management of pigmented lesions using SIAscopy.

For more information contact Prof Jon Emery, University of Western Australia jon.emery@uwa.edu.au