Lived experiences informing the VICS Optimal Care Summits

The VICS include voices and insights of people affected by cancer in all of our work – including our statewide VICS Optimal Care Summits program.

Past and present patients, their carers and family members (collectively, ‘consumers’) take part in interviews and focus groups for each VICS Optimal Care Summits consultation, and have an active role in each live summit event. The program team spoke to some of the consumers who contributed to recent consultations and summits, about the experience.

“I was initially a bit sceptical about what value I could add and whether I would be heard,” recalls Maureen. “I needn’t have worried. At all times during the survey stage and the summit itself, I felt listened to with respect and understanding.” Likewise, Donna found “to be listened to and heard – from a personal experience – on what could be improved upon for women who are yet to start this journey was, for me, a powerful experience.”

Ronny presented his experience, as a carer for someone affected by cancer, at one of our live summit events in front of doctors, nurses, and specialists from many different disciplines involved in coordinated cancer care. “The thought of presenting in front of a large group of medical professionals was a little daunting,” says Ronny, but “from the start, everyone made me feel welcome and treated me as an equal – showing genuine interest in my thoughts and opinions.”

Lisa also found the health practitioners at the summit she attended to be welcoming and respectful. “My experience of cancer was a very lonely one, and being able to discuss my experiences with the summit attendees and other cancer patients was extremely valuable,” she says. “There was genuine interest in my experiences, good and bad.” Maureen found it “interesting to talk to the oncologists and other medical staff on what felt like an equal footing, rather than the dynamic of a consultation between doctor and patient.”