The provision of supportive care is integral to delivery of comprehensive cancer care. However, in Australia as in other countries, systematic investment in and efforts to embed supportive care as a fundamental component of cancer treatment has been inconsistent. In part, this may be due to an evidence-base that has largely focused on detailing prevalence, severity or impact of unmet needs, limiting capacity to explore and understand the value of supportive care as an enabler of optimal patient experience, health outcomes and system efficiency.
This paper will present qualitative data from two large studies funded by the Victorian Department of Health to refresh attitudes to, awareness of, and opportunities to strengthen systematic provision of cancer supportive care. The first study, “The Supportive Care Refresh Study” involved approximately 300 Victorians with cancer or cancer care experience. Qualitative data will be presented to demonstrate how listening to, and understanding the importance of supportive care, offers insight to its value at patient and system levels.
In the second study, the “Value in Care Study”, in depth exploration of the meaning and experiences of supportive care among people affected by lung cancer, has offered insight to the value of “unconditional” supportive care as a criterion of equitable cancer care. Data will be presented to demonstrate how opportunity for supportive care acts as an enabler of trust between patients and their health service, optimising engagement and capacity to adhere to treatment.
The paper will close with a brief consideration of the importance of qualitative data and methodologies to deliver what Sullivan et al refer to as “earshots” that focus on building “affordable, equitable and effective care” 1.