What is already known about the topic? There is no agreed-upon tool, process, or method to guide mental health nurses (MHNs) in assessing and documenting a patient’s mental state. What this paper adds? The study demonstrated that the implementation of a standardised instrument can significantly improve documentation of patient mental state. What are the implications for practitioners? A benefit of the tool is to provide a standardised template to: facilitate improved documentation of interactions and recognise change or deterioration in mental state; facilitate improved communication between health disciplines working on the treating team; enable MHNs to articulate and document complex and sometimes confusing content elicited from patient engagement and interactions; and set an agreed minimum standard for documentation.

What is known about the topic? Very little is known about the weighting of extracurricular involvement within standardised curriculum vitae scoring criteria across the Australian medical and surgical specialty training programs. What does this paper add? This paper highlights the limited and varied weighting of extracurricular activities between training programs, specifically in comparison with academic domains. What are the implications for practitioners? Specialty training programs should continue to consider the importance assigned to extracurricular involvement, and junior medical officers should consider whether their time and effort is best spent securing curriculum vitae points from an academic domain.

What is known about this topic? Regulation has a significant impact on registered health professions. This means that the design, governance, proportionality and scope of professional regulation are the focus of significant reform in many countries. What does the paper add? A unique, longitudinal view of the development and maturation of a national health practitioner regulatory system, which is multi-professional in its scope, is provided. What are the implications for practitioners? An understanding of the genesis, design and achievements of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme and the challenges shaping future reform of regulation, reflecting wider changes in the health system, are conveyed.

What is known about the topic? Triptans effectively treat migraines when taken early. Timely access is paramount, and downscheduling in February 2021 allowed over-the-counter (OTC) triptan supply in Australia. What does this paper add? This study shows that subsidised triptan dispensing rates slowed after downscheduling, suggesting a shift to OTC access. It also estimates cost impacts for general and concessional patients. What are the implications for practitioners? OTC access may benefit patients needing immediate treatment without a prescription. However, for those with frequent migraines, subsidised prescriptions, especially for concessional patients, remain more affordable and appropriate for ongoing management. Triptans are available OTC at a reduced price (but for fewer tablets). Downscheduling of triptans has reduced the rate of PBS subsidised dispensings. Patients with acute migraines benefit from OTC triptan access. Downscheduling has the potential to lower costs for the government.

What is known about the topic? Urgent care services bridge primary and emergency care, but their role and scope remain unclear in Australia. What does this paper add? This study presents a concept map and taxonomy of urgent care services, clarifying their role between primary and emergency care. It also offers a novel comparison of service characteristics and clinical scope across Australian models, mapped to ICD-10 and grouped by condition. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings clarify the role of urgent care, service overlap, workforce roles and accessibility, supporting integration of urgent care in healthcare planning and delivery.

What is known about the topic? Older adults have more complex health needs and could benefit from a palliative reablement approach that addresses evolving needs over time. Allied health clinicians are ideally positioned to deliver such services. What does this paper add? Clinicians feel underequipped to provide palliative care but identified what is needed to enhance confidence and practice. What are the implications for practitioners? A growing ageing population needs a capable and effective workforce. If systems within which allied health train and practice do not offer sufficient opportunity to develop skills and deliver services, quality of care will suffer.

What is known about the topic? Cancer-related malnutrition affects up to 80% of patients depending on the type and stage of cancer. Malnutrition adversely affects treatment outcomes, quality of life, hospital length of stay and mortality. Nutrition screening tools that facilitate identifying malnutrition are poorly utilised, negatively affecting patients. What does this paper add? This study demonstrated dietitian universal nutrition assessment was cost-effective in managing cancer-related malnutrition. What are the implications for practitioners? Dietitians and managers should be aware that identifying and managing malnutrition can result in a National Weighted Activity Unit uplift.

What is known about the topic? Unplanned hospital readmissions are common indicators of healthcare quality, but limited data exist on potentially avoidable unplanned readmissions (PAURs). What does this paper add? This study found that 21% of readmissions were potentially avoidable, with key contributors including relapse of the initial condition, treatment complications, and poor follow-up. What are the implications for practitioners? Reducing PAURs may require a multifaceted approach, including better discharge summaries, assessment of patient readiness, coordinated follow-up, and use of patient education strategies such as teach-back methods.

What is known about the topic? In general, migrants are healthier than the population of the destination country. What does this paper add? Although Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO)-born migrants are less affected by certain long-term health conditions, they are equally or more affected by some other health conditions. A considerable proportion of EMRO-born migrants with long-term health conditions have low socioeconomic status and language proficiency. Those who lived more than a decade previously are more affected by the conditions that are more prevalent among the Australian-born population. What are the implications for practitioners? Chronic condition prevention and management strategies should be designed based on the characteristics and health needs of migrant groups.

What is known about the topic? Interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) is widely recognised as essential for the functioning of high-quality healthcare systems. However, there is limited understanding of whether attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about IPCP differ across various professional groups or clinical settings within these systems. What does this paper add? This cross-sectional study offers new insights into how attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about IPCP vary across different professional groups and clinical settings. It highlights an underexplored area of research, especially considering that much of the existing literature focuses on university students rather than practising healthcare professionals. What are the implications for practitioners? This research provides valuable information for key stakeholders in health policy, management and clinical practice. Understanding the diverse attitudes and beliefs toward IPCP across professional groups can inform workforce planning, enhance interprofessional training programs, and improve collaboration within healthcare teams. Additionally, these insights can support the development of tailored care delivery models that address the specific needs of different professional groups, fostering more effective and cohesive team-based care.