Health professionals involved in cancer care coordination: Nature of the role and scope of practice

In mid-2016, PC4 members were invited by Deakin University and Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) to participate in a survey that aimed to investigate the current landscape of Cancer Care Coordinators across Victoria, identifying their geographical locations and current scope of practice. This cross-sectional survey was disseminated through 14 peak organisations for oncology health professionals and to individuals whose work involved coordinating the care of cancer. Of the 91 survey respondents, 67.0% reported they were specifically funding to coordinate the care of cancer patients and 30.8% devoted all their time to this role. Rural coordinators were more likely to be funded by philanthropy, work part-time and work with patients in the community. 37.4% responded that patients were required to have a particular type of cancer to receive care coordination and positions funded by philanthropy were more likely to have this requirement. The results of this study indicate that health professionals undertaking cancer care coordination are diverse and the service offered differs according to location and funding source. There may be inequities in care, with people living in particular areas, attending particular health services or with specific cancer types more likely to receive cancer care coordination. Read the full article here