Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Supporting cancer clinicians and researchers to provide culturally inclusive care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: an e-learning resource. (#296)

Joanne Shaw 1 , Joan Cunningham 2 , Brian Kelly 3 , Gail Garvey 4
  1. Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Menzies School of Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  3. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  4. School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Aims: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 3.8% of the Australian population but cancer incidence is 1.2 times higher compared to other Australians and in 2019 the the age standardised mortality rate was about 1.4 times higher for Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous people for all cancers combined (234 vs 162 deaths per 100,000 population)1.  The inequity of outcomes spans across the cancer continuum and includes participation in clinical trials. Enablers to improved outcomes include cultural safety and communication and access to appropriate resources and tools. We aimed to develop e-learning modules to provide cancer clinicians and researchers with increased understanding of culturally inclusive clinical and research practices.

Methods: Three online learning modules were developed by an expert stakeholder group which included First Nations researchers. The modules aimed to increase knowledge about (i) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and current disparities in cancer outcomes; (ii) culturally inclusive communication with patients and carers, and (iii) strategies to address the under representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in clinical trials. Module development was guided by adult learning principles. A webinar to reinforce the module content was conducted to provide participants with practical examples of implementation.

Results: The modules were promoted through cancer professional networks and cancer clinical trials groups to their membership. To date, 2000 participants have completed the modules and 220 registered to attend the webinar. Evaluations confirm perceived increased knowledge and confidence in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Conclusions: Building workforce skills, knowledge and confidence is crucial to address the disparities in cancer outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These on-line training modules have demonstrated high uptake and acceptability among clinicians and researchers working across cancer care.

  1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/1-08 cancer#keymessages