Aim
There is a rapidly increasing population of people living with and beyond cancer due to ageing and improvements in detection and treatment. This has impacted on the complexity of the primary care practitioners’ role in managing cancer survivorship. The Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care Practitioners program aims to enhance the knowledge and skills in the transition of survivors from oncology treatment into shared care.
Methods
Aimed at primary healthcare practitioners including General Practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals; the program was developed to adhere to best practice survivorship care in the areas of: Survivorship Fundamentals; Communication and Coordination of Care; Surveillance, Late and Long-Term Effects; Palliative Care and New Cancer Therapies. The program is contextualised in the narrative of a patient story and includes a series of real patient stories, interactive presentations, interviews, readings, online discussions, quizzes and peer reviewed assessments.
An online survey was distributed to all participants before and after their completion of the program. Paired tests will be conducted and compared for the participant craft groups that attend the program measuring the effect of participation in the online and / or workshop on confidence, knowledge and intention to change practice.
Results
The program launched in July 2018 to a registration of over 500 participants for the online component from around the globe and a local representation of over 50 attended the workshops. The online course received a high calibre of engagement throughout. The workshops evaluated positively with participants feeling confident to implement key messages into their workplace.
Conclusion
Best practice survivorship care promotes the formation and consolidation of a collaborative, interdisciplinary care team who are sensitive and responsive to each individual and their needs. The program delivers an innovative, interactive, flexible and free professional development opportunity for PCPs in response to the evolving population health landscape.