Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2017

Closing the Gap in Oncology: From principles to practice with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework (#374)

Sophia Wooldridge 1
  1. Calvary Mater Hospital Newcastle, Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310, NSW, Australia

The 2015 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework (the Framework) is a document designed to provide “high level guidance” to individuals, organisations and health systems with the aim of improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the full continuum of cancer care in Australia. The Framework was used by a clinician working in a Psycho-Oncology Service in an Australian regional hospital to develop measurable goals for practice improvement over a 12 month period. This case study reports on the development and implementation of these goals. The process resulted in the clinician developing 3 measurable goals (SMART goals): one goal for improving personal clinical practice, one goal for contributing to improving the clinician’s Psycho-Oncology Service’s practice in regards to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and one goal for contributing to improvements occurring in the health district in regards to Psycho-Oncology care. These goals were reviewed and discussed in clinical supervision and in performance management processes. The majority of time spent on these activities was logged as professional development which contributed to registration requirements. Several improvements in service provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were observed at an individual and systemic level. Additionally, a tool was developed which Psycho-Oncology clinicians can use to improve their practice. This tool is also expected to have application for other Allied Health staff and for students across disciplines. By providing a demonstration of how the Framework informed the development of a tool to guide clinicians in improving practices, this project will contribute to improving cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.