The Medical journal of Australia
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To report maternal and neonatal outcomes for Australian women planning a publicly funded homebirth from 2005 to 2010. ⋯ This study provides the first national evaluation of a significant proportion of women choosing publicly funded homebirth in Australia; however, the sample size does not have sufficient power to draw a conclusion about safety. More research is warranted into the safety of alternative places of birth within Australia.
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To better understand the role that diagnostic test-ordering behaviour of general practitioners has on current pertussis epidemiology in Australia. ⋯ An increase in pertussis testing following recognition of early epidemic cases may have led to identification of previously undetected infections, resulting in a further increase in notified disease and awareness among GPs. The changing likelihood of being tested may also be due to expanding availability and use of PCR testing in Australia.
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To accurately estimate the proportion of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) who may have been suitable to be seen in general practice. ⋯ The estimated proportion of general practice-type patients attending the EDs of Perth's major hospitals is 10%-12%, and this accounts for < 5% of the total ED length of stay. The AIHW methodology overestimates the actual proportion of general practice-type patient attendances.