Poster Presentation Cancer Survivorship 2019

Using an experience-based co-design process to co-create cancer wellness services for patients and their families (#244)

Bena Cartmill 1 2 3 , Jodie Nixon 2 3 , Emma McKinnell 3 , Laurelie Wall 1 2 3 , Euan Walpole 3 4 , Leanne Stone 3 , Raymond Chan 3 5 , Mary Whitehead 3 , Elizabeth Ward 1 2 , Andrew Puffett 3 , Tracey Gardner 6 , Brigid Hanley 6 , Elizabeth Miller 7
  1. Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Health, Brisbane, Q, Australia
  2. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Q, Australia
  3. Princess Alexandra Hospital, Buranda, QLD, Australia
  4. Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Q, Australia
  5. Instutite of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Q, Australia
  6. Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Q, Australia
  7. Consumer representative, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Q, Australia

Aims:

 

The Queensland Collaborative for Cancer Survivorship (QCCS) and the Princess Alexandra Hospital Cancer Wellness Initiative are two dynamic schemes that bring together consumers, clinicians, researchers, and executives to optimise the access and delivery of survivorship services for people affected by cancer in Queensland. This project aimed to use an experience-based co-design method to optimise services that will ultimately promote their “wellness”.

 

Methods:

 

An experience-based co-design (EBCD) method was used. First, the experiences of services that promote “wellness” for people affected by cancer (patients and their families/significant others), as well as clinicians delivering those services were explored using a range of focus group interviews. Cancer clinicians and patients/family members subsequently participated in co-design workshops to explore the barriers and facilitators to their access and engagement in “wellness” services and plan improvement initiatives.

 

Results:

 

Eighteen focus groups were conducted over a 3 month period (August-October 2018) with clinicians (n=68) and patients/family members (n= 82). Data were analysed using “Patient Journey Mapping” technique for patients/ family members. A service map was created outlining current services available on-site, and in the community. Clinicians reported limited availability and access to “wellness” programs for patients/families, and poor integration with the limited services that did exist. Patients and family members reported being unaware of programs within the hospital and in the local community that supported their wellness.

 

Conclusions:

 

Through the EBCD process, the partnership between cancer clinicians and people affected by cancer has provided rich information about service improvements, opportunities to facilitate access and engagement, and barriers to optimise cancer services promoting “wellness”.