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Australia's defence posture has been refocused on our immediate region, but with the intent of holding any potential enemy forces as far from the Australian mainland as is practicable. A similar strategy in World War II saw Australia deploying operating bases in the Indonesian-Melanesian archipelago. This paper examines that experience, compares more successful with less successful uses of forward bases [Norfolk Island is used as an example of the former], and seeks to draw enduring lessons from that experience for Australia's current defence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The transition between paediatric and adult care for young people with chronic illness or disability is often poorly managed, with adverse consequences for health. Although many agree that adolescent services need to be improved, there is little empirical data on which policies can be based. Objectives To systematically review the evidence of effectiveness of transitional care programmes in young people aged 11-25 with chronic illness (physical or mental) or disability, and identify their successful components. Design A systematic literature review in July 2010 of studies which consistently evaluated health outcomes following transition programmes, either by comparison with a control group or by measurement pre-intervention and post-intervention. Results 10 studies met the inclusion criteria, six of which showed statistically significant improvements in outcomes. Descriptive analysis identified three broad categories of intervention, directed at: the patient (educational programmes, skills training); staffing (named transition co-ordinators, joint clinics run by paediatric and adult physicians); and service delivery (separate young adult clinics, out of hours phone support, enhanced follow-up). The conditions involved varied (eg, cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus), and outcome measures varied accordingly. All six interventions that resulted in significant improvements were in studies of patients with diabetes mellitus, with glycosylated haemoglobin level, acute and chronic complications, and rates of follow-up and screening used as outcome measures. Conclusions The most commonly used strategies in successful programmes were patient education and specific transition clinics (either jointly staffed by paediatric and adult physicians or dedicated young adult clinics within adult services). It is not clear how generalisable these successful studies in diabetes mellitus will be to other conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-three tennis players with a symptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tear underwent anterior acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair. There were 8 small tears (<1 cm), 5 moderate tears (1 to 3 cm), 2 large tears (3 to 5 cm), and 8 massive tears (>5 cm). The dominant shoulder was involved in all patients and all were unable to play tennis before surgery. Eleven patients experienced a traumatic event that caused an injury, 6 while playing tennis, and 12 patients had a gradual onset of symptoms. At average followup of 42 months, 19 patients (83%) achieved a good result, were pain-free, and were able to play tennis at their pre-symptomatic competitive level. Three patients (13%), all with massive tears, had a satisfactory result and were able to play tennis, although at a lower competitive level secondary to weakness. One patient (4%), who also had a massive tear, had an unsatisfactory result and was unable to play tennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]