Introduction: Despite considerable investment by the Victorian Government in promoting integration of supportive care into acute cancer services, there has been varied success across the state, and evidence indicates that patients and family members continue to experience a burden of unmet needs.
Aim: The aims of the Refresh project were to: 1) Identify opportunity to refresh existing and develop new supportive care resources and training materials 2) Support and build workforce capability to strengthen and embed supportive care in cancer for all Victorians affected by cancer.
Methods: The project design was informed by the UK National Health Service six-step Improvement Cycle, Broad stakeholder engagement and an experience-based co-design study were used to collect the project data. Data gathered through Town Hall meetings, Community of Practice and the co-design study were analysed using an inductive thematic approach to code data and identify key themes. Data were used to refresh existing and develop new supportive care resources.
Results: A collaborative, cross-sector solution was developed (the WeCan Framework) that focuses on increasing awareness of supportive care, to drive activity, and to maximise impact of integrating supportive care as a component of comprehensive cancer care. The WeCan solution includes:
Conclusions: The WeCan framework addresses issues of awareness, access, equity of opportunity for supportive care and, health professional capability to deliver timely, targeted and tailored supportive care. Early evaluation data suggest that the digital resources have considerable potential to impact clinician and consumer awareness of the importance of addressing supportive care needs and offers a feasible and sustainable solution to navigation of patients to supportive care resources.