Study news

Phase one of the study has been completed and results have been presented in conferences and to other stakeholder groups and will be published in the near future. We are now in phase two of the study. For the qualitative arm the UNSW team has recruited and trained Aboriginal interviewers. Several interviews have been completed with Aboriginal patients, carers for Aboriginal patients and healthcare workers. The key barriers to optimal cancer care for Aboriginal people that have emerged are feelings of isolation, lack of support, difficulties with transport to treatment, communication difficulties with medical staff and viewing cancer as a very fearful disease. For the Patterns of Care study, the Cancer Council team is partnering with hospitals and Aboriginal Medical Services throughout NSW. An audit of Aboriginal patient’s medical records has commenced and to date we have collected almost 400 medical records.

Phases three and four will take place in 2010-2011.