Improving the equity of fear of cancer recurrence screening, assessment and treatment through the development of a culturally sensitive clinical pathway

Approximately three-quarters of people living with and beyond cancer (i.e. cancer survivors) will experience fear, worry or concern about their cancer coming back or getting worse, known as fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Cancer survivors with high FCR experience more distress, poorer quality of life, and use more healthcare resources. Cancer survivors, particularly those from Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (i.e. minority populations), report FCR as the issue they most need help with. Existing FCR management recommendations are outdated and insensitive to minority populations needs. Consequently, most healthcare professionals report challenges managing FCR and survivors miss out on effective treatment.

Through this project you will have the opportunity to work with cancer survivors and experts from diverse backgrounds to develop clear and culturally sensitive recommendations for FCR screening, assessment and treatment to reduce the burden of FCR on cancer survivors and the NSW health system. The research will comprise 3 phases:

1. Developing the FCR clinical pathway
The pathway will be developed by:
a. Synthesising systematic reviews to identify evidence for different pathway items/components (e.g. screening and treatment);
b. Conducting a Delphi study, comprising 2-3 rounds of surveys with FCR experts, to get agreement on whether pathway recommendations make sense and are useful.

2. Making sure that the FCR clinical pathway is culturally inclusive
Qualitative interviews/yarns will then be conducted with minority patients/carers, and clinicians/researchers who work with them, to get feedback on the draft clinical pathway and make it as culturally inclusive as possible.

3. Identifying ways of improving the cultural sensitivity of FCR treatments
The acceptability, feasibility and cultural appropriateness of existing FCR interventions and their components will be explored through:
a. Qualitative interviews/yarns with cancer survivors and caregivers from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
b. Focus groups with health professionals caring for them.

This PhD project is part of a broader research program focused on improving the consistency and equity of care for FCR through an evidence-based, culturally sensitive and implementation-ready clinical pathway being led by Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellow Dr Ben Smith in partnership with the Targeted Approaches To Improve Cancer Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (TACTICS) NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from international leaders in fear of cancer recurrence, cancer survivorship, health equity and implementation science.

Scholarship

• $39,193 per annum

Eligibility

• Domestic applicants only
• PhD only

How to apply

Email a copy of your CV to ben.smith@unsw.edu.au.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will remain open until the scholarship is awarded.