Using videos to inform and educate patients and carers at Townsville Cancer Centre
Project description
A series of educational videos addressing specific aspects of oncology procedures, treatment regimens and support services, will provide tailored information for new patients presenting to Townsville Cancer Centre (TCC). Patient advocate, Damien Thompson, recognises the need for such tailored information following his own experiences undergoing treatment. Such an initiative will allow patients access to a trusted source of information personalised to their health care journey.
In 2016, a monthly patient information night in the radiation therapy department of TCC was implemented with great success. In a formal evaluation of this initiative, patients, their family/carers and members of the general public reported a high level of satisfaction with the information and a demonstrated increase in knowledge and awareness of radiation therapy. Specifically, patients who had been referred for radiation therapy but had not yet started treatment reported the information night reduced anxiety and “the fear of the unknown”.
Plans to expand these groups were unfortunately paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to maintain the provision of information tailored for the local setting, a new medium (video) is imperative. The videos will provide rich insight into what a patient and their carer, may experience during clinical procedures and various aspects of cancer treatment and care.
The project will have broad applicability to other oncology departments throughout Australia, with the opportunity for learnings to be used in leveraging other oncology departments to develop their own tailored educational content.
Outcomes
Access to information and education addressing various aspects of acute cancer treatment and care, for those newly diagnosed, can lead to:
Increased knowledge and awareness of oncology procedures and treatment regimens
Reduction in anxiety levels for both patients and carers
Video format allows for increased access to information, particularly for those in remote areas
Increased health literacy
Increased rapport between patients/carers and healthcare professionals
Impact on the healthcare professional
Primarily, it is hoped that patients engaging with the videos will have less stress/anxiety and increased understanding of possible procedures when presenting to the centre. Through the anticipated increased awareness and satisfaction amongst patients and carers presenting to TCC, it is hoped that this will have a positive impact on individual health literacy and on rapport-building between patients/carers and health professionals.
Impact on the healthcare institution
The anticipated benefit of this project is increased awareness and satisfaction amongst patients and carers presenting to TCC, with a wider reach than what was achieved with the patient information nights.
Proposer
Townsville Cancer Centre
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
100 Angus Smith Drive
Douglas, QLD 4814
Project contact person:
Amy Brown
amy.brown@health.qld.gov.au
Other project team members:
Prof Sabe Sabesan (Medical Oncologist)
Mrs Amy Brown (Research Fellow and Radiation Therapist)