Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Exploring Australian Healthcare professionals’ experiences and perceptions of management of older adults with cancer. (#356)

Sharon He 1 2 , Heather Shepherd 3 , Meera Agar 4 , Joanne Shaw 1 2
  1. School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  2. Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  3. Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  4. Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia

Aims

Older adults with cancer make up a large proportion of cancer diagnoses in Australia and often have other health conditions which can make treatment decision-making and cancer care challenging. Geriatric assessments (GAs) can identify older adults at risk of treatment complications and help guide treatment decision-making. However, use of GAs and discussion of geriatric domains more broadly in Australian cancer services is low. This study aims to qualitatively explore Australian healthcare professionals' experiences and perceptions of management for older adults with cancer.

Methods

This study involves a short online survey and qualitative telephone interviews with up to 30 Australian healthcare professional’s providing care for older adults with cancer to explore their perceptions and experiences of treatment decision-making, and management of older adults with cancer. Purposive sampling will ensure representation across disciplines. Thematic analysis using a framework approach identified key themes.

Results

To date seven interviews have been conducted. Interviews are ongoing. Preliminary analysis suggests three themes: 1) Definition of an older adult with cancer, 2) Formal versus informal screening and assessment, and 3) Management of older adults with cancer. These themes inform the barriers and facilitators to implementation of screening and geriatric assessments of older adults with cancer. The final data will be presented.

Conclusion

This study will provide insight into current practice of cancer care for older adults with cancer and identify the barriers and facilitators to use of GAs within Australian cancer services. This will help inform development of a care pathway that incorporates GAs to improve management of older Australians with cancer.