Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Empowering rural cancer survivors: Identifying information needs and strategies to meet those needs  (#501)

Leah Zajdlewicz 1 , Belinda Goodwin 1 2 3 , Larry Myers 1 4 , Lizzy Johnston 1 5 6 , Anna Stiller 1 , Bianca Viljoen 1 2 7 , Sarah Kelly 1 , Nicole Perry 1 , Fiona Crawford-Williams 8 , Raymond J Chan 8 , Jon Emery 9 10 , Rebecca Bergin 9 11 , Joanne F Aitken 1 12 13
  1. Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
  2. Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia
  3. School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
  4. School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia
  5. Population Health Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  6. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  7. School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
  8. Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaie, South Australia, Australia
  9. Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  10. Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourn, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  11. Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  12. School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  13. School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Aims: Quality survivorship information is widely recognised as an essential component of cancer care, particularly for rural cancer survivors returning home after receiving treatment in a major urban centre. Despite this, there are no best practice guidelines for the delivery of survivorship care information during this transition. This program of research investigated the post-treatment information needs of rural cancer survivors in Australia and mechanisms for effective delivery of this information.  

Methods: A systematic review of original studies in five academic databases and reports on websites of 118 cancer organisations was conducted to identify the post-treatment information needs of rural cancer survivors in Australia. A second review of original studies in six academic databases was conducted to identify mechanisms for effective delivery of survivorship care information in Australia. Using realist review methodology, context-mechanism-outcome theories were generated for how information should be transferred. 

Results: From 37 studies and 15 reports, information on prognosis and recovery, managing treatment side-effects, healthy lifestyle choices, and referrals to support services was needed by, yet often not provided to, rural cancer survivors. Forty-five studies reported on mechanisms for effective delivery of survivorship information. At the individual level, these mechanisms included tailoring the information to survivors’ social, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds; reducing the burden on survivors to navigate their transition of care; and providing survivorship care information in multiple modalities. At the system level, clear roles and communication among care teams, dedicated staff and consultation time for survivorship care, and specialised training for staff providing this care, were identified as optimal strategies for effective information delivery.  

Conclusions: Findings provide practical recommendations for improving delivery of survivorship care information to rural cancer survivors. In consultation with health professionals and survivors, these findings will inform the development of guidelines to facilitate the communication of survivorship care information to rural cancer survivors transitioning from hospital to home.