Training of Rural Health Workers in the Management of Adjuvant and Systemic Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: A Rural Health Support, Education and Training (RHSET) Program 2002
Introduction
In 2002 MOGA received a grant from the Rural Health Support Education and Training program of the Department of Health and Ageing to conduct a series of educational workshops in rural areas on adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
Project Aims
The objectives of the project were to improve knowledge of best practice treatment for colorectal cancer amongst rural medical and nurse practitioners, to improve the safety of chemotherapy administration in rural areas and to improve links, networks and consultation strategies between local practitioners and the resident or visiting medical oncologist.
Methodology
A weekend educational workshop relating to the treatment for colorectal cancer was developed and conducted in six locations in rural and remote areas of Australia. The workshop was designed for physicians, surgeons, general practitioners, nurses and other medical practitioners in rural and remote areas of Australia involved in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer.
The workshop content was evidence based and peer reviewed and included an outline of current best practice colorectal cancer management strategies, based on the NHMRC Guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of Colorectal Cancer 1999. Issues relating to treatment for colorectal cancer were also addressed including administration of chemotherapy, management of side effects, safe handling of cytotoxics, legal issues, psychosocial issues and stomal therapy. Case scenarios were developed to illustrate practical treatment issues. A local protocol session allowed participants to identify and develop strategies to address local issues relating to the delivery of cancer services.
The workshops were adapted from a program on rural chemotherapy administration developed by the National Breast Cancer Centre. New materials relevant to colorectal cancer were developed including an interactive video on communication and psychosocial skills. A resource kit was also developed to facilitate the conduct of future educational workshops on colorectal cancer, in rural and remote areas of Australia.
The location of the workshops was determined by a call for expressions of interest and addressed areas of need as identified by the Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee in its 2001 report on the medical oncology workforce: Byron Bay (NSW), Rockhampton (QLD), Merimbula (NSW), Bunbury (WA), Alice Springs (NT) and Kerang (VIC). Questionnaires, administered before, after and 12 weeks after the workshops, were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the workshops.
Results
The workshops were attended by 171 health professionals (24 general practitioners, 138 registered nurses, six surgeons) and 3 allied health professionals. Significant and sustained improvement in knowledge amongst participants across all domains of an average of 21.5% was achieved from before the workshop to 12 weeks after the workshop. Results for the chemotherapy treatment, side-effects and case scenario domains saw an average improvement of 43.1% while knowledge of safety issues related to chemotherapy administration improved 7.4%. Participants also reported significant improvements in procedures, communications, networking and consultation between health professionals providing cancer care in their regions.
Conclusion
The workshops developed and conducted through this project proved effective in improving knowledge of best practice care amongst participants and in improving procedures, communications, networking and consultation between health professionals providing cancer care in rural and regional Australia.
RHSET Final Report
Download the RHSET Final Report (PDF: 650KB, 88pages)
Resource Kit
In addition a resource kit has been prepared to facilitate the conduct of similar worksops in other areas. This resource kit is available free of charge to those interested in conducting a workshop in their local area.
If you would like a copy of the kit, please contact MOGA on (02) 8247 6210 or email moga@moga.org.au.
The Project report and resource kit are available to medical and allied health practitioners interested in conducting a workshop by contacting MOGA at 02 8247 6207.
Project Management Committee
Dr. David Goldstein (Chair)
Medical Oncologist, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW
Dr. Stephen Begbie, Medical Oncologist, Port Macquarie, NSW
Dr. John Hounsell, Medical Oncologist, Warrnambool, Victoria
Dr. Bogda Koczwara, Medical Oncologist, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA
Dr. Sue Robertson, General Practitioner, Hamilton, Victoria
Dr. Richard Turner, Colorectal Surgeon, Cairns Base Hospital, Queensland
Dr. Craig Underhill, Medical Oncologist, Albury, NSW
Assoc. Prof. Patsy Yates, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology
Ms. Franca Marine, Executive Officer & Project Manager, MOGA
Mr. Greg Cantwell, Project Officer, MOGA
