The psychosocial impacts of fly-in fly-out and drive-in drive-out mining on mining employees: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how fly-in fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in drive-out (DIDO) mining affects the psychosocial well-being of miners resident in a rural north Queensland town as well as the sources of support miners identify and use in managing these effects. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study, using semistructured interviews. SETTING: Charters Towers, a rural town in north Queensland, and a remote north-western Queensland mine. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven people, resident in or near Charters Towers, currently or formerly employed in FIFO or DIDO mining. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported effects on psychosocial well-being and sources of support. RESULTS: Participants reported positive and negative psychosocial impacts across domains including family life, relationships, social life, work satisfaction, mood, sleep and financial situation. Concerns about the impact on participants' partners were described. Awareness of onsite support, such as Employee Assistance Programs, varied. Other supports included administration staff and nurses or medics. Trusted friends or colleagues at the mine site were considered a preferred means of support. Some, but not most, had experienced coworkers discussing problems with them. A reluctance to seek support was described, with a number of barriers identified. Those having problems might not recognise their own stress and thus not seek support. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies numerous psychosocial impacts on FIFO/DIDO miners and their partners, and provides insights into preferences regarding support. Employee Assistance Programs cannot be relied upon as the sole means of support. Further studies exploring the impact upon and supports for FIFO/DIDO workers and their partners will assist in better understanding these issues.

Piling high: a general practice registrar's unsolicited mail.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the amount, types, and proportion that is read of unsolicited mail received by a general practice registrar. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANT: A mixed-methods, prospective, descriptive study of unsolicited mail sent directly to a general practice registrar in a private general practice located in rural north Queensland, collected between 1 March and 30 September 2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The amount, by number and weight, of unsolicited mail items, and the proportion of each document read, in total and by category. RESULTS: 196 items of unsolicited mail, weighing 19.85 kg, were received over a period of 7 months. The category with the largest number of mail items was pharmaceutical company correspondence (70; 36%), closely followed by medical tabloids and free journals (67; 34%). Medical tabloids and free journals made up the largest proportion of unsolicited mail by weight (15.49 kg; 78%). Of all 196 items, only 10 (5%) had more than half of their content read. CONCLUSIONS: Although small in size, this study suggests that a reduction in unsolicited mail to general practitioners in Australia would have benefits for GPs in terms of time management, environmental benefits, and reduction in frustration levels.

Osteoarthritis - management options in general practice.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis, characterised by joint pain and stiffness, is a common and significant chronic disease, reducing mobility and causing considerable impact on quality of life. Multiple evidence based management options are available. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to summarise the main management options suggested in The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Guideline for the nonsurgical management of hip and knee osteoarthritis and to also highlight those that are not recommended. DISCUSSION: Following diagnosis based primarily on history and examination, management focuses on optimising quality of life by providing self management advice combined with appropriate pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, aiming to reduce acute exacerbations, prevent complications and delay progression.