Talking Blood Cancer Podcast Series
Project description
Awareness of and engagement with podcasts as an audio storytelling format continues to rise in Australia. However, research showed that there was no dedicated blood cancer podcast channel in Australia, which led to Leukemia Foundation developing the “Talking Blood Cancer” podcast in late 2021.
The podcast series aims to provide a unique channel to connect and communicate with people living with blood cancer and their families and support networks. The series focuses on sharing lived experiences and aims to provide comfort, hope and inspiration to others going through similar experiences. This increased sense of connection with others can positively impact the psychosocial well-being of people living with cancer, leading to improved health outcomes.
Season One of “Talking Blood Cancer” had 2708 downloads from 14 episodes and overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients and their families.
The Award would support the expansion of the podcast series for another season, including conversations with expert healthcare professionals from a range of specialties addressing key areas of supportive care.
Outcomes
Increased access to information and support at a time suitable for the patient and their family
Enhanced peer-to-peer social support
Greater sense of connectedness
Decreased feelings of isolation, knowing they are not alone
Improved psychosocial wellbeing
Impact on the healthcare professional
Storytelling can often help reduce feelings of isolation and fear of the unknown when faced with a cancer diagnosis. This strongly impacts the patient and their carers and can help and empower people to approach their own experiences with hope. The podcast series provides healthcare professionals with an easy-to-access resource to offer patients, which may lead to enhanced psychosocial wellbeing.
Impact on the healthcare institution
The “Talking Blood Cancer” podcast offers treating teams within healthcare institutions an easy-to-access resource for patients, which can be used at a time suitable to the patient. This increased sense of connection to others in what can often be an isolating time has been shown to have significant benefits on emotional wellbeing and quality of life.
Proposer
Leukemia Foundation
Level 1, 33 Flemington Road
North Melbourne VIC 3051
Project contact person:
Lauren Scaddan
fpalmer@leukaemia.org.au
Project team members:
Lauren Scaddan (Head of People Living with Blood Cancer Experience)
Kate Arkadieff (Living Well Triage Team Leader)
Jaye Manning (Clinical Content Lead)
Maryanne Skarparis (Living Well Team Leader)
Vanessa Hardy (Blood Cancer Support Coordinator - Specialist)
Hannah Doody (Digital Content Producer)