Routine assessment of cancer patients' HRQL had an impact on physician-patient communication and resulted in benefits for some patients, who had better HRQL and emotional functioning.

A study was undertaken to describe, evaluate and categorise the social problems experienced by cancer patients. Ninety-six adult cancer patients at all stages of disease participated in either a telephone focus group discussion, a face to face focus group or an individual interview which were tape recorded and transcribed. Six experts analysed the transcripts. A total of 32 social problems were identified categorized under eight headings plus four single items. The categories were: problems with (1) managing in the home, (2) health and welfare services, (3) finances, (4) employment, (5) legal matters, (6) relationships, (7) sexuality and body image and (8) recreation. Problems with relationships and communication were the most frequently reported with financial, employment, body image and domestic problems also being widely endorsed. Female groups, younger patient groups and groups where the aim of treatment was palliative reported more social problems than other groups. Social problems are common and important to cancer patients. The social problems identified in this study will contribute to an item pool generated for developing a Social Problems Inventory that may be included in patient centred assessment as part of routine oncology practice.

Issues addressed A diabetes project was implemented with the aims of increasing the knowledge of diabetes risk factors and consequences, and improving the management of diabetes in one remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory. Methods Quantitative research methods included an audit of clinic records, store turnover calculations, market basket surveys and review of project documentation. Qualitative data collection relied primarily on informal techniques such as participant observation in community and health centre activities, unstructured interviews and group discussions with community members and health providers. Results The audit of clinic records and the review of the project documentation demonstrated that although there was increased access to health services during the project, there was no evidence of improved biomedical control of existing diabetic conditions. The market basket surveys demonstrated that the community store increased its range of healthy food choices. Store turnover calculations demonstrated that the community's purchasing behaviour changed in favour of healthier foods. There was an increased level of community‐directed program activity in the area of diabetes prevention.

HIV is more prevalent in the prison population compared to the general population. Prison inmates are at an increased risk of blood-borne infections. Considerable stigma has been documented amongst inmates with HIV infection. In collaboration with the schools, healthcare facilities, prison authorities and inmate Irish Red Cross groups in Wheatfield, Cloverhill and Mountjoy prisons in Dublin, Ireland, the Department of Genito Urinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases at St James' Hospital in Dublin developed a campaign for raising awareness of HIV, educating inmates about HIV and tackling HIV stigma. Following this campaign, large-scale point-of-care testing for HIV was offered over a short period. In total, 741 inmates were screened for HIV. One inmate tested positive for HIV. We experienced a large number of invalid test results, requiring formal laboratory serum testing, and a small number of false positive results. Large-scale point-of-care testing in the Irish prison setting is acceptable and achievable.