Aims
In Australia more women are living with endometrial cancer due to increasing incidence along with high survival rates. Cancer Australia aims to support national implementation of shared follow-up care for women with low-risk endometrial cancer through the development of guidance based on available evidence and consensus.
Methods
A mixed methods approach has been adopted including a high-level evidence review, a feasibility study comprising stakeholder consultations and review of current approaches to shared follow-up care. A workshop was held with key stakeholders to identify critical success factors, enablers and challenges for the implementation of shared follow-up care for women with low-risk endometrial cancer. Consultation also included consideration of adapting Cancer Australia’s work in shared follow-up care for early breast cancer.
Results
The consultations found general acceptance of shared follow-up care by health professionals including the important role general practitioners play in providing whole-person care and managing co-morbidities. Evidence review and consultation identified best-practice elements necessary to support consistent, safe, high-quality care in a shared care arrangement. Cancer Australia’s Principles of shared care for early breast cancer and supporting guidance materials were considered appropriate to be adapted for low-risk endometrial cancer.
Consultation identified the need to supplement any guidance material for shared follow-up care with evidence-based support to facilitate service redesign to deliver sustainable change.
Conclusions
Shared follow-up care for low-risk endometrial cancer assists in providing holistic care, addresses the increasing demand for specialist services and facilitates equity of access to best practice care. An evidence-informed, consensus-driven approach is being adopted to develop guidance materials to support implementation.