Care of the Older Person with Cancer project
Outcomes from targeted stakeholder engagement, a scoping project by SMICS in 2019, and a statewide workshop in September 2021 led HRICS and SMICS to develop a ‘toolkit’ document that would help health services and Integrated Cancer Services (ICS) to improve the provision of care to older people affected by cancer. The toolkit provides information to help identify and address existing barriers, examples of existing geriatric oncology services, and key resources including how-to guides, education opportunities and patient resources.
The toolkit was first released at the end of November 2022 following review by subject matter experts, VICS Program Managers, and consumers. It was updated in August 2023 and February 2024. Annual updates are planned, moving forwards. An evaluation of the toolkit in mid-2024 will coincide with the end of the current Victorian Cancer Plan.
The toolkit was evaluated through targeted interviews with representatives of 9 health services and a survey of VICS staff. Responses indicated that the content of the toolkit is appropriate and relevant for the audience, and the format is user-friendly. The most useful sections were Examples of delivery, Barriers and enablers, Screening, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), and Key resources.
The VICS will continue to raise awareness of the toolkit across Victoria.
Feedback on the Care of the Older Person with Cancer toolkit
Did you find the toolkit useful? Was it easy to use? What else should it include? Please fill in our feedback form to inform future updates to the kit.
