CIRCS’ commitment to providing specialist cancer education continues to improve equitable access to and make better use of limited resources to provide standardised clinical education through the use of tele-education. The expansion of Queensland’s telehealth infrastructure from 2013 - 2017 has increased and has enhanced the adoption of a tele-education model for the delivery of quality education and training with an expectation that this will extend to the implementation of an Australasian Tele-trial Model.
Aim:
The use of Telehealth to increase access to standardised cancer education among health professionals across Queensland.
Method:
CIRCS uses traditional videoconferencing technology to provide standardised education to health professionals. The support provided ranges from a series of train the trainer and clinical skills workshops and practical competency assessment sessions. The management of Central Venous Access Devices theoretical and practical competency workshops has been available via a tele-education model since 2012 with over 900 participants to date. The ability to deliver simulated and bedside training over telehealth is testament to Queensland’s acceptance of current technology and investment in infrastructure. The Antineoplastic Drug Administration Course clinical skills workshops are delivered through virtual classroom collaboration with other Hospital and Health Services and have seen almost 300 participants since 2013.
Results:
The number of participants has steadily increased since implementation of the tele-education model with 1,528 attendees to date. The use of standardised educational resources, courses and tools has enabled ease of movement for staff as their education record is available statewide and their core knowledge and skills are rapidly utilised in local facilities previously unable to offer this type of care.
Conclusion:
The use of tools at hand such as telehealth has enabled equitable access for health professionals to standardised education without needing to travel and the delivery of quality safe care for their patients closer to home.