Oral Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2022

Piloting an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander optimal care pathway learning package (#143)

Jenny Thresher 1 , Michelle Pryce 2 , Clare Jeans 3 , Eli Ristevski 4 , Lynette Bishop 5 , Bonnie O'Shannassy 5
  1. Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service, East Bentleigh, Victoria, Australia
  2. Gippsland Integrated Cancer Service, Traralgon, Victoria, Australia
  3. Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  4. Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  5. Aboriginal Health Services, Latrobe Regional Health Service, Traralgon, Victoria, Australia

Introduction:

The Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aims to decrease disparities in cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. To support health professionals and services implement the OCP, we brought together Aboriginal Health liaison workers (AHLO) and cancer nurse educators from four metropolitan and regional health services to co-develop a learning package.

Aims:

The learning program brings together AHLO's  and cancer care professionals to:

(1) build and share knowledge of the OCP,

(2) identify current gaps, barriers,  enablers within their health service and practice and

(3) facilitate networking and resource sharing.

Method:

Using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander OCP as the framework, and a problem-based learning approach, three fictitious patient stories were developed identifying cultural needs across different tumours and stages of the cancer journey.  The stories were reviewed for cultural and clinical appropriateness.  The training package consists of a 20 minute self-directed online module and a one day face-to-face session. A facilitator train-the-trainer workshop was also delivered.

Results:

Fourteen participants attended the train-the-trainer session.  Two AHLO’s and two cancer-clinicians facilitated the face-to-face session. The program was piloted with 21 participants from four regional/rural and metropolitan areas.  Participants included Aboriginal health/liaison/community workers (n=6), cancer clinicians (n= 12) (palliative physician, nurse practitioners, cancer nurses), integrated cancer service managers (n=2) and evaluation representatives (n=1). An independent evaluation shows participant engagement with the learning activities and enthusiasm to learn more about improving cancer care and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and strategies for implementing change within their health services.

 Conclusion:

Learnings are being used to develop a sustainable educational model which health services can use to implement the principles of the OCP. Additional sessions are currently being scheduled to validate the successful results across a broader audience.