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Bernardes CM, Martin J, Cole P, Kitchener T, Cowburn G, Garvey G, Walpole E, Valery PC. Lessons learned from a pilot study of an Indigenous patient navigator intervention in Queensland, Australia. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2017; 27. [PMID: 28513056 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Indigenous patient navigator (IPN) programmes show promise in addressing barriers to cancer care and facilitation of patient self-efficacy. The purpose of this paper is to describe and reflect upon the experience of training an IPN and implementation of the intervention in the Australian context with Indigenous cancer patients. Randomised clinical trial might provide the best available evaluation measure of an intervention but caution should be taken in the implementation process. Socio-cultural aspects and training can affect the conduct of this type of intervention. We report here five issues needing consideration prior to implementing such intervention. Specifically: (1) recognition of the collective bonds within Indigenous community and understanding by IPN of the degree of personal assistance perceived as not intrusive by the patient; (2) conduct ongoing evaluation of the different role of an IPN involved in this intervention care provider vs. researcher. (3) meaningful engagement develops from a trusting/collaborative relationship between research team and study site staff which may not occur in the study time frame; (4) existing skills as well as training provided may not translate in the IPN understanding and aligning with the study objectives/research values; (5) recruitment of participants requires innovative and highly flexible strategies to be successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Bernardes
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Menzies School of Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - J Martin
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - P Cole
- Ipswich Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - T Kitchener
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - G Cowburn
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - G Garvey
- Menzies School of Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - E Walpole
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - P C Valery
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Menzies School of Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Meiklejohn JA, Garvey G, Bailie R, Walpole E, Adams J, Williamson D, Martin J, Bernardes CM, Arley B, Marcusson B, Valery PC. Follow-up cancer care: perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 2017; 25:1597-1605. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-016-3563-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Diaz A, Bernardes CM, Garvey G, Valery PC. Supportive care needs among Indigenous cancer patients in Queensland, Australia: less comorbidity is associated with greater practical and cultural unmet need. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2016; 25:242-53. [PMID: 26918689 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the supportive care needs (SCN) of Australian Indigenous cancer patients. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between comorbidity and SCN among newly diagnosed Indigenous cancer patients in Queensland. Comorbidity was ascertained from medical chart review using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and SCN were measured using the Supportive Care Needs Assessment Tool for Indigenous Peoples (SCNAT-IP). Of 183 participants, 76 (42%) had no comorbidity (CCI = 0), 60 (33%) had had a CCI score of 1 and 47 (26%) had a CCI of two or more, with the most common condition being diabetes (30%). The most common moderate-high unmet need items varied between comorbidity groups, although all patients most frequently reported moderate-high unmet need in the Physical and Psychological and the Practical and Cultural needs domains. Patients with the greatest comorbidity (CCI ≥ 2) had significantly more reduced odds of practical and cultural needs than patients without comorbidity (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11-0.75). This appeared to be partially explained by time since diagnosis, age, whether they were receiving current treatment and residential remoteness. Patients' experience of chronic disease, hospitals and the healthcare system may better prepare them for the practical and cultural aspects of their cancer journey.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Diaz
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - C M Bernardes
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.,QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - G Garvey
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - P C Valery
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.,QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Qld, Australia
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