Regional Program

The Regional Program helped strengthen regional cancer care, build workforce skills, and improve access to clinical trials, making care more equitable and closer to home for Victorians.

Activities:

1. Teletrial Implementation:
    - Developed educational resources, including a 9-module teletrial course and a toolkit to support teletrials.
    - Conducted workshops and masterclasses to educate clinicians and trial staff on teletrial processes.
    - Published research and presented at conferences to raise awareness about teletrials.
2. Regional Partnerships:
    - Established partnerships with 8 regional health services, providing funding for local positions and training.
    - Held educational forums to address regional needs, reaching over 500 participants.
    - Developed site-specific education plans based on surveys of regional cancer workforce needs.
   
   
3. Support for Less Common Cancers:
    - PEN-TEST (Penile and Testicular Cancer Multidisciplinary Forum) – piloting a framework for managing penile and testicular cancers, which is now an ongoing program at Barwon Health.
    - Supported clinical discussions and referrals for rare cancer cases.

Impact:

• Increased Engagement: Regional participation in educational events rose from 7% in 2021 to 22% in 2024.
• Teletrial Success: Tools and courses have been widely accessed, with strong feedback indicating they are improving confidence and capabilities for teletrial implementation.
• Regional Capacity Building: Internships and workforce training improved skills and readiness for clinical trials, with many interns securing employment in the sector.
• Improved Care for Rare Cancers: Programs like PEN-TEST led to better coordination and access to clinical trials for patients with rare cancers, supported by ongoing regional frameworks.