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Integrating referral to community-based cancer information and support services in a hospital setting

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Abstract

Purpose

To implement and evaluate a hospital-based referral mechanism to increase patient uptake of community-based cancer information and support services. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and education program was evaluated. Changes in usage of Cancer Council Victoria’s cancer information and support telephone line were investigated.

Methods

A 6-month study was conducted in one metropolitan and one regional cancer treatment hospital. Clinicians attended an education session regarding referral mechanisms to Cancer Council support services. Clinicians completed a questionnaire, and consenting patients participated in a semi-structured telephone interview for the project evaluation. The number of calls made from patients at study sites was monitored.

Results

Fifty-two clinicians were trained and referred a total of 430 patients to the cancer information and support service during the study period. Calls from patients increased by up to 100% per month from baseline following the implementation of the referral mechanism. Staff evaluations showed support for the referral mechanism and its incorporation into routine practice. Interviews were conducted with 45 patients; most remembered receiving the referral and were positive towards the intervention. Common reasons patients gave for not acting on the referral included forgetting, lack of need, timing and burden of information.

Conclusions

There is preliminary evidence that this intervention increases awareness and uptake of community-based cancer information and support services. Ongoing clinician education and improvements in patient-clinician communication are important for effective translation from referral to service uptake. Consideration of the most appropriate time in a patients’ care trajectory to introduce a referral is warranted.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the support and involvement from Western Health and Gippsland Cancer Care Centre staff and patients who participated in this study.

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by the Cancer Council Victoria (institutional funding).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia

    David J. T. Marco, Anna G. Boltong & Victoria M. White

  2. School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia

    David J. T. Marco

  3. School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia

    Anna G. Boltong

  4. Western Health, Sunshine Hospital, Furlong Rd, Footscray, VIC, 3011, Australia

    Adrian Dabscheck

  5. Department of Health and Human Services, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

    Georgina Akers

  6. Gippsland Regional Integrated Cancer Services, Latrobe Regional Hospital, 10 Village Ave, Traralgon West, VIC, 3844, Australia

    Michelle Pryce

  7. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, 3125, VIC, Australia

    Victoria M. White

Authors
  1. David J. T. Marco
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  2. Anna G. Boltong
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  3. Adrian Dabscheck
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  4. Georgina Akers
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  5. Michelle Pryce
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  6. Victoria M. White
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Victoria M. White.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. The authors have full control of all primary data and agree to allow the journal to review the data if requested.

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Marco, D.J.T., Boltong, A.G., Dabscheck, A. et al. Integrating referral to community-based cancer information and support services in a hospital setting. Support Care Cancer 26, 787–795 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3890-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3890-6

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