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InSight+ brings you a quick summary of some of the latest research from the Medical Journal of Australia.
The Extent and Nature of Lived Experience Engagement in the Development of Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines, 2014–2025: A Scoping Review
The known: Involving people with lived experience of health conditions when developing clinical practice guidelines in Australia is required by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
The new: Most Australian guidelines published during 2014–2025 included people with lived experience throughout their development, but the degree of engagement was typically quite limited.
The implications: Increasing lived experience engagement in guideline development will better ensure that their values and preferences are appropriately considered.
Read more: https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.70132
Interval Cancer Characteristics, Staging and Survival Among National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Participants, Western Australia, 2018: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study
The known: The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program has operated in Australia since 2006. National monitoring reports now include information about the number of interval cancers, but comprehensive staging and clinical information for Western Australia was unavailable.
The new: Among 122,851 people with negative screening tests in 2018, 51 were diagnosed with interval colorectal cancer within 2 years. Men and people aged 70–74 years had higher rates, with most cancers detected at stages II–III.
The implications: Our findings provide insights into the performance of National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in Western Australia. The interval cancer rate is an important quality measure for population-based screening programmes. Comprehensive reporting and performance benchmarking are important for improving the programme.
Read more: https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.70138
Early Palliative Care and Quality of End-of-Life Care for People With Terminal Cancer, Victoria, 2018–2023: A Retrospective, Population-Based Cohort Study
The known: Referring people with cancer to palliative care early is recommended to ensure that it effectively alleviates their suffering and enhances the overall quality of life for patients and their families.
The new: Early palliative care was associated with lower levels of poor quality end-of-life care, but only one-third of Victorian adults who died of cancer during 2018–2023 had received it.
The implications: Early palliative care should be provided for all people with terminal cancer, ideally commencing at the time the cancer is diagnosed.
Read more: https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.70128
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