Aims
Increasingly people affected by cancer are seeking to be active participants in decisions affecting their health and contribute to health care more broadly.
During 2011, Cancer Australia developed the first National Framework for Consumer Involvement in Cancer Control involving over 50 organisations and 500 consultations from across Australia and internationally. Based on the Framework, Cancer Australia works with expert advisory groups to develop practical tools that will assist organisations to effectively engage with consumers and in the development of online consumer training modules to build consumer knowledge and skills to contribute to cancer clinical trials and research.
Methods
Consumers’ health professionals, researchers and policy makers are central to the development of resources and programs of work. The development of resources are based on evidence and contributions from experts in project working groups, attendance at national workshops, peer review of resource content and user testing of online navigation and accessibility. Leaders in their field further contribute through case studies, online presentations and videos.
Results
Two multimedia consumer resources have been developed to build consumer engagement, consumer knowledge and expertise. The Consumer Involvement Toolkit provides practical, easy-to-navigate user friendly tools to guide organisations involving consumers in their work. The Consumer Learning website contains online learning modules to guide consumers who are participating in cooperative clinical trials research.
Conclusion
Evidence indicates that higher levels of consumer involvement within the health system result in greater impact on health outcomes. Involving consumers and multidisciplinary stakeholders in the development of online resources helps build consumer knowledge and confidence and assists health organisations to meaningfully involve consumer in their work. Cancer Australia is committed to harnessing the valuable expertise of consumers and health professionals in the development of national resources to support best practice approaches of cancer care and better health outcomes.