INTRODUCTION: The fundamental role of alcohol in the lives of young Australians is mirrored in the level of drinking by adolescents. In 2001, more than one in four Australian adolescents aged 14-19 years consumed alcohol weekly.

AIMS: To test the population impact of offering automated smoking cessation interventions via the internet and/or by mobile phone.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Alcohol use during adolescence is associated with the onset of alcohol use disorders, mental health disorders, substance abuse as well as socially and physically damaging behaviours, the effects of which last well into adulthood.

Information and communication technologies such as email, text messaging and video messaging are commonly used by the general population. However, international research has shown that they are not used routinely by GPs to communicate or consult with patients.

THE PROBLEM: The conventional method for estimating survival over time following an episode of disease or treatment is the Kaplan-Meier (K-M) technique, which results in a step-down survival plot, with upper and lower bounds of 1.0 and 0, respectively.

BACKGROUND: While institutions have been keen to integrate information and communication technologies into medical education, little is known about the technological experiences of the current cohort of so-called 'Net Generation' students.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The trajectory from alcohol use to alcohol use disorders in adolescence is yet to be understood. Momentary sampling may assist in capturing 'real-time' data on young people's alcohol use and associated motivational factors.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: To undertake a detailed analysis of the content of anti-bullying policies in schools in New Zealand (NZ) and Victoria, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of appointment reminders sent as short message service (SMS) text messages to patients' mobile telephones on attendance at outpatient clinics.

DESIGN: Cohort study with historical control.