It's well known that lower radiotherapy rates can result in poorer outcomes for patients. We also know that radiotherapy centres are costly to build and staff, limiting where they can be built. In our research agenda, we hope to see whether increasing travel distance is associated with any decrease in radiotherapy utilisation. Planned research will examine the financial and quality of life associations with increasing travel distance.
A/Prof Richard is a Consultant Radiation Oncologist at Austin Health in Melbourne. His doctorate thesis focused on large scale database linkages, health services and machine learning in Radiation Oncology. Having grown up in regional Queensland and previously working in regional Victoria, he has always had an interest in the specific issues that patients face when living outside metropolitan cities. He has published several papers regarding radiotherapy, how frequently radiotherapy is used for cancer patients, and the effect of travel distance on service utilisation. Currently, Richard is the lead clinician on the VCCC Value-Based Healthcare Program, project "Disparities in radiotherapy access in Victoria".
Colin had over 35 years clinical experience as a Radiation Therapist at Peter Mac before moving from his Head of RT Planning Clinical Services role to become Radiotherapy advisor to the Victorian Department of Health. He has held this position for the past 11 years. As part of this role, Colin has been involved in radiotherapy service planning for Victoria, including infrastructure provision, radiotherapy data collection, analysis and statewide radiotherapy services implementation.
Colin has contributed extensively to professional conference meetings as a speaker having delivered many presentations at national and international meetings. He has more than 25 publications in peer reviewed journals. He has also provided radiotherapy consulting services and dosimetry training in Australia and Asia. Colin is a fellow of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, a member of the American Association of Medical dosimetrists and a reviewer for 3 peer-reviewed scientific journals. These activities are supported by his Master by research and post grad qualifications in teaching, business and music.
Keith is an active consumer advocate of improving the health consumer experience and outcomes. He achieves this, with a strategic focus, as a voice on governance, management, and working committees at the VCCC Alliance, Royal Melbourne Hospital and throughout the Parkville precinct. He brings a lived experience to this project as both a patient and a carer of radiotherapy cancer treatment.