Randomized control trial of a cancer shared care model [ 2005 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof David Joske (Principal investigator) ,  Alison Ward ,  Dr Douglas Pritchard ,  Prof Christobel Saunders

Brief description Cancer care in Australia remains fragmented. Shared care has been seen as a potentially more effective way to manage patients with chronic and subacute diseases, by overcoming many of the difficulties which beset the traditional hospital-based model. These difficulties include poor communication between hospital-based and community-based carers, the high costs of hospital-based care and the loss of involvement of the primary care health professional in ongoing care. This project is a trial of a Shared Care Model (SCM) with cancer patients in a hospital in Western Australia. The project is designed to improve the emotional well-being and feelings of empowerment of the patients as well as reduce the number of unplanned admissions these patients need to make during their cancer treatment. The SCM intervention includes: -A patient-held record (PHR) comprising chemotherapy road map, treatment intention, medication list and communication pages for health workers; - Earlier and timely direct communication between specialist and general practitioner; -A Shared Care coordinator to assist with patient care and information; and - General practitioner educational and resource packages with tailored side effects table detailing anticipated side effects and actions to be taken. - For rural patients, the model can be expanded to include general practitioner administration of selected chemotherapeutic agents on alternate cycles. - Protocols for general practitioners administration of selected chemotherapeutic agents.

Funding Amount $AUD 242,400.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant