Aim
Additional cancer survivorship challenges are often faced by rural and regional Victorians. Teleoncology enables innovative alternatives to support patients; however, few examples feature group education and allied health interventions.
‘Telehealth for Supportive Survivorship Care’ project innovates delivery of Cancer Council Victoria’s Wellness and Life after Cancer program, aiming to develop, pilot and assess a regional telehealth model for sustainable delivery.
Method
Eight programs were delivered during the project across five rural and regional health services in the Grampians and Hume regions in Victoria. The 16-hour program included weekly group exercise sessions delivered by local Exercise Physiologists, followed by education delivered via telehealth, over a period of eight weeks.
Program evaluation includes collection of participant, facilitator and health service data through program surveys and focus groups. The use of action research methodology enables refinement of program delivery throughout the project to best suit the region and participants.
Results
Eight programs were completed during the project phase.
Focus groups from the first programs in each region highlighted positive social and emotional outcomes which had improved patients’ lives.
Embedded action research methodology has informed amendments to content inclusions and delivery, improving delivery of subsequent programs. The use of telehealth has enabled access to a comprehensive survivorship assessment, education, exercise and wellness program for regional cancer survivors, allowing participants to remain close to home. Workforce development and linking health services has increased the capacity of regional health services to provide supportive cancer survivorship care.
Conclusion
Results identify that this model can be successfully embedded into existing workforce structures, increasing capacity and enhancing professional relationships and program delivery otherwise hindered by distance. For those regionally who are affected by cancer, the program is proving to be viable, acceptable, accessible and beneficial in improving outcomes.