More than 500 people have taken part in six webinars as part of a new initiative launched this year by the VCCC Alliance, the Regional Cancer Partnership Forum.
The monthly educational webinar series, which kicked off on 5 February and coincided with World Cancer Day, aimed to address education gaps in the regional cancer workforce.
The project is one of the first collaborations from the new statewide regional cancer network, established earlier this year by the Alliance with the aim of sharing resources, knowledge and experience among regional cancer centres to improve outcomes for patients in these areas.
The forums, co-hosted by several regional cancer centres in the network, were attended by a wide range of health practitioners, researchers and consumers, with 44 per cent from regional Victoria and 19 per cent from interstate.
A recent evaluation of the forums has shed light on the number of attendees, the proportion from regional Victoria, and the valuable learnings these sessions provided.
The 2022 Regional Cancer Services Survey, a foundational element of this initiative, identified six priority areas for learning. These included side effects of treatment and symptom management, tumour-specific streams, chemotherapy, psycho-oncology, immunotherapy, and supportive care.
The survey, guided by the VCCC Alliance Regional Partnerships Working Group and Regional Innovations Steering Group, involved 142 respondents from all eight regional cancer centres in the network: Albury Wodonga Health, Bendigo Health, Barwon Health, Grampians Health, Goulburn Valley Health, La Trobe Regional Hospital, Mildura Base Hospital, and South West Healthcare.
Closing the care gap
The inaugural webinar, part of the VCCC Alliance's Monday Lunch Live series, focused on successful initiatives underway to ‘close the care gap’ (the World Cancer Day 2024 theme) for regional Victoria. The event featured insights from innovators and consumers improving cancer care and outcomes in regional areas, attracting 187 attendees.
Cancer Care Fundamentals: Side Effects of Treatment
Hosted by Albury Wodonga Health, this session emphasised the importance of recognising and managing side effects of systemic anti-cancer treatment. With 65 participants, 70 per cent from regional areas, the session was well-received, with 75 per cent of attendees very satisfied and 100 per cent agreeing it filled a gap in current cancer education.
Myeloma: Understanding Treatment Options
Co-hosted by Barwon Health and Latrobe Regional Health, this forum explored myeloma's diverse treatment landscape, from traditional therapies to cutting-edge innovations. With 25 participants, 46 per cent from regional areas, the session highlighted the role of clinical trials and stem cell transplantation using a patient’s own tissues, with 71 per cent of participants reporting they learned something new.
Introduction to Genomics
Hosted by Bendigo Health, this special session addressed a prioritised educational need by covering essential components of genomic data and innovative techniques for collecting and storing genomic samples. Of the 93 participants, 38 per cent were from regional areas, and 94 per cent learned something new, with 72 per cent very satisfied with the forum.
Melanoma: Advancements in Treatment, Care, and Patient Experiences
Hosted by Southwest Healthcare, this forum explored the latest developments in melanoma treatment and care, addressing regional challenges and supportive care strategies. Among the 42 participants, 31 per cent were from regional areas, with 85 per cent reporting the content met their learning needs.
Fear Not: Exploring Strategies in Psycho-Oncology and Managing Fear of Cancer Recurrence
This session provided insights into the background, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment approaches for Fear of Cancer Recurrence. Hosted by Goulburn Valley Health and Barwon Health, the forum included 86 participants, 63 per cent from regional areas, with 87 per cent reporting the forum filled an educational gap.
A special thank you to all of our speakers, regional host sites and those who attended the forum series.
Recordings from the Regional Cancer Partnership Forum events can be accessed free on the Centre for Cancer Education.
