Lung Foundation Australia

The Australian National Lung Cancer Screening Program commenced in July 2025. This study aimed to explore the views of community members and the health workforce on the content, language, design and presentation of the draft information materials developed for the general population and health workforce. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted between September and October 2024. Community members potentially eligible for the program and those interested in screening were recruited. Members of the health workforce who would be involved in screening were invited to participate. The teach-back technique assessed community members comprehension of material content. An adapted user-experience honeycomb model, along with a deductive thematic analysis approach, were used to identify aspects needing improvement. A total of 25 community members and 44 health workforce participants took part. Shared and specific themes targeted for community and health workforces were identified. These included an appreciation for clear language; content that is comprehensive, reliable, and transparent; and visually engaging design. Specific themes focused on enhancing the practical value of the materials for target audiences; clarifying and using professional terms and concepts; and adopting user-friendly designs that accommodated the diverse needs of audience. The role of family members in encouraging screening participation should be highlighted in the information materials. A standardised approach for assessing individuals smoking history in the program's eligibility criteria is warranted. These findings have guided the refinement of the draft informational materials developed for the general population and health workforce in the lung cancer screening program and could inform the development of materials for other cancer screening programs. Community members and the health workforce were involved in the development of information materials.

To identify the silicosis research priorities of people living with silicosis, workers at risk of silicosis, their partners and caregivers, and of health professionals and researchers. Research priority setting exercise; modified James Lind Alliance framework for research priority setting partnerships, comprising an online survey followed by two forums in which thematic analysis and nominal group analysis were used to establish a list of research priorities. People with or at risk of silicosis, their partners or caregivers (survey, online forum) and health care professionals, researchers, health and safety professionals (survey, in-person forum), recruited 14 April - 19 December 2023. Research priorities in four pre-identified areas: prevention, screening and diagnosis, treatment, and living with and managing the impact of silicosis. A total of 164 survey respondents (105 medical or research professionals, 34 workers currently or formerly at risk of silicosis, eleven people with confirmed silicosis, and fourteen partners or caregivers) identified 47 key research topics. Fifty-three health care professionals and thirteen people with or at risk of silicosis and their caregivers then ranked the research topics and developed research questions at the two forums. The highest ranked research priorities were research into assessment and optimisation of the hierarchy of controls, compliance and regulation, establishing minimum standards and developing innovative screening methods, early diagnosis, development of effective treatments, identification of biomarkers for risk of progression, developing an optimal care model that includes mental health care, and estimating the economic impact of silicosis. Both participant groups agreed that research into workplace controls is important, as is improving education and awareness, compliance with preventive measures, and screening and diagnosis, including nationally consistent screening and diagnosis practices. The professional participants rated research into silicosis pathogenesis and biomarkers and technological considerations higher than workers and their carers, who focused more on the barriers for and attitudes of workers, specific treatments, and managing symptoms. Research into eliminating exposure to silica, early diagnosis of silicosis, preventing disease progression, and reducing the impact of disease were the top research priorities for people with professional or personal interests in silicosis. Our findings should guide research directions and inform policy development.

Abstract RATIONALE: Occupational lung cancer is a preventable disease caused by the inhalation of lung carcinogens in the workplace. Despite increased prevalence, the newly commencing national lung cancer screening program in Australia does not include occupation as criterion for screening. As a national healthcare priority there is a need for a more strategic approach to research to address the prevention, detection, and management of this condition. Thus, our aim was to collaboratively identify the top research priorities for occupational lung cancer. METHODS: The priority setting was conducted over stages and based on a modified James Lind Alliance framework. Stakeholders included people impacted by/at-risk of occupational lung cancers, family members/caregivers, multidisciplinary workplace safety and healthcare professionals, regulators, worker representatives, legal professionals, and researchers. Stage one involved an open-ended questionnaire which asked respondents to provide the most important issues/topics they felt research should address regarding five priority areas: exposure, prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management. Thematic analysis was used to identify key topics within each area. Stage two involved a face-to-face workshop to rank the topics and collaboratively develop targeted research questions to inform future research. RESULTS: 78 participants completed the questionnaire and 54 attended the face-to-face workshop. Research priorities included exposure: epidemiological studies, high-risk occupations and exposures, cumulative and combined risk factors; prevention: education, barriers and facilitators to effective prevention and control, compliance; screening: understanding who should be screened, screen criteria, screening implementation; diagnosis: attribution, education for health professionals, diagnostic techniques; and management: psychosocial impacts and support, care coordination, and compensation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide insights into important research areas that are of greatest importance to key stakeholders which will be fundamental to guiding the future direction of occupational lung cancer research.

There is currently a gender imbalance 85:15 female/male in the intake into specialist training for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). To determine the views and perceptions of Australian medical students, and junior doctors in the first five years of practice, toward obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) as a career, including whether there are any perceived barriers to the pursuit of such a career. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed with members of the RANZCOG Gender Equity and Diversity Working Group There were two separate studies: the first involved telephone interviews of medical students across three campuses of a medical school in North Queensland. The second study surveyed junior doctors in Queensland who are members of the Australian Medical Association. Responses were analysed and compared using quantitative and qualitative methods. Both studies found that experiences with O&G as a medical student influenced the decision to pursue O&G as a career. Exclusion from clinical scenarios and difficulty establishing good relationship with midwives within busy birthing suites were some reasons deterring male students from O&G. In addition, students felt poorly informed about the specialty in their preclinical years, affecting their early decisions in choice of specialty. Post-rotation, more female than male students reported positive experiences and were considering O&G as a career. Both groups see medical student experience as critical in attitudes toward the specialty as a possible career. This experience plays a significant role in encouraging female students toward a career in O&G and discouraging male students. More exposure to the specialty in the preclinical years, and attention to improving clinical rotations for all students, is required.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a treatable and preventable disease characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and chronic airflow limitation on spirometry. COPD is highly prevalent and is associated with exacerbations and comorbid conditions. "COPD-X" provides quarterly updates in COPD care and is published by the Lung Foundation Australia and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. The COPD-X guidelines (version 2.65) encompass 26 recommendations addressing: case finding and confirming diagnosis; optimising function; preventing deterioration; developing a plan of care; and managing an exacerbation. Both non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies are included within these recommendations, reflecting the importance of a holistic approach to clinical care for people living with COPD to delay disease progression, optimise quality of life and ensure best practice care in the community and hospital settings when managing exacerbations. Several of the new recommendations, if put into practice in the appropriate circumstances, and notwithstanding known variations in the social determinants of health, could improve quality of life and reduce exacerbations, hospitalisations and mortality for people living with COPD.

IntroductionPulmonary rehabilitation is a core component of the treatment of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, the benefits gained diminish in the ensuing months. The optimal strategy for maintaining the benefits is unclear with weekly supervised maintenance exercise programmes proposed as one strategy. However, the long-term future of maintenance programs is dependent on quality evidence.Methods and analysisThe ComEx3 randomised controlled trial will investigate the efficacy of extending a weekly supervised maintenance programme for an additional 6 months following an initial 10-week maintenance programme (intervention) by comparing with a control group who receive the same 10-week maintenance programme followed by 6 months of usual care. 120 participants with COPD will be recruited. Primary objective is to determine health-related quality of life over 12 months. Secondary objectives are to determine functional exercise capacity trajectory and to perform an economic evaluation of the intervention to the health system. Outcomes will be analysed for superiority according to intention-to-treat and per-protocol approaches.Ethics and disseminationApproval has been received from the relevant ethics committees. Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, targeting those involved in managing people with COPD as well as those who develop policies and guidelines.Clinical trial registrationANZCTR 12618000933257

IntroductionThe prevalence of bronchiectasis in New Zealand (NZ) is higher than comparable countries (180/100,000 population)1; the burden and severity of disease are incompletely understood. Bronchiectasis registries such as EMBARC (>14,000 participants) and the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry (ABR, 1360 participants) have improved understanding of bronchiectasis and identified future research priorities. The aim of the NZ Bronchiectasis Registry (NZBR) is to contribute to the understanding of bronchiectasis aetiology and management, both in NZ and internationally. It is closely aligned with ABR and supported by Lung Foundation Australia.MethodsNZBR shares data fields with ABR and EMBARC, with additional fields to reflect unique socio-demographic characteristics of NZ participants. NZBR is a multi-centre, prospective, observational study enrolling consecutive patients in NZ. Participants are identified from existing clinical and research databases, and from inpatient and outpatient encounters. Eligible adult participants have a clinical diagnosis of bronchiectasis, excluding cystic fibrosis, confirmed on CT thorax. All participants are seen face-to-face and provide written consent.Demographics, clinical information, exacerbation history (including antibiotic prescription data) and health-related quality of life assessment are collected at enrolment and annual review. Data is entered into a secure online platform, which sits alongside ABR in REDCap.ResultsNational ethical approval is in place. Enrolment began at the primary site in June 2018, shortly followed by a second site. Two additional sites have local research governance approval. To date, 117 participants have been enrolled across 2 sites: 63/117 females (53.8%); mean age 62.4 (±15.6) years. 45/117 (38.4%) of participants are of M&x0101;ori or Pacific Island origin; 41/117 (35.0%) participants live in the most deprived socioeconomic quintile.ConclusionThese early steps have paved the way for a national bronchiectasis registry and are an early indicator of health inequalities for bronchiectasis in NZ. NZBR will contribute to a regional Australasian Bronchiectasis Registry to create a comprehensive longitudinal dataset across Australia and NZ, to help establish the burden of disease, promote changes in clinical practice and improve clinical outcomes. Future plans include addition of paediatric sites and increased collaboration with international registries.ReferenceTelfar Barnard L, Zhang J. Asthmaand Respiratory Foundation New Zealand; 2017.