Sunraysia is a rural and remote area on the NSW and Victorian border centred around Mildura. Cancer incidence within this region is in line with state averages.Much of the specialist cancer care is delivered at a local level by fly in fly out clinicians.
The aim of the project is to improve cancer care outcomes in the Mildura area by establishing formalised, evidenced based multidisciplinary cancer care team meetings.
Scoping and service mapping were undertaken to determine current approaches to care. A multidisciplinary steering committee of key stakeholders including hospital executives and consumers was established. A purpose built room was commissioned along with installation of diagnostic quality video conferencing equipment.
A 'stand alone' and innovative multidisciplinary cancer care team meeting has been established that links specialist health care professionals from across Victoria via four different technology systems, who then discuss cases in real time and view the same imaging and slides.
Evidence shows that presenting cases in a multidisciplinary team environment leads to improved patient care and treatment planning, recognition of supportive care needs, improved care coordination, a refinement of referral pathways, a fostering of broader professional networks, educational opportunities and patient data collection. Implementation of this model into Mildura has significant influence on ensuring the care of Mildura patients is best practice and meets LMICS' and its stakeholders' vision of 'Excellence in Cancer Care Locally'. This is an excellent example of how technology and expertise can be combined to successfully provide high level cancer care in a rural area and help manage the 'tryanny of distance'