Structured Approach for Facilitating Excellence in Oncology (SAFE Pathways)

Background

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples demonstrate incredible resilience and strength in the face of health challenges, including cancer, which disproportionately affects their communities compared to other Australians. This disparity is driven by factors including delayed diagnosis, lower screening access, and lack of culturally appropriate care. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients often face challenges including racism, cultural insensitivity, communication barriers, and difficulties in navigating healthcare systems. Aboriginal Health Workers play a crucial role in providing holistic, culturally safe care that supports patients and their families along the healthcare journey.

Aims

Aim 1: Implementation of a culturally safe model of cancer care

Objective: To employ Aboriginal Health Workers within the Cancer Services at South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient and their families, ensuring cancer care is accessible, culturally safe and coordinated.

Aim 2: Build Cultural Capability within Oncology care teams

Objective: To implement and evaluate the Building Cultural Safety and Capabilities (BCC) program within the oncology care team and provide guidance on culturally appropriate practice. This will foster a culturally inclusive healthcare environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isander people and families. 

Aim 3: Generate evidence for scaling and system change

Objective: To produce robust evidence on effectiveness of the culturally safe cancer care model, to inform broader healthcare policy and system changes to improve cancer care outcomes. 

Research Methodology

This project is positioned at the knowledge interface, bringing together Western biomedical and Indigenous research methodologies to generate new evidence. Throughout the project, culturally validated quantitative tools like yarning will be used for data collection. A decolonising lens will be applied as a process of conducting research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. This places their voices and knowledges at the centre of the research. 

Current Status

The project is currently active. The coming months will see the establishment an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Steering Committee as well as submitting ethics applications to AH&MRC and Regis. Once ethics has been approved, recruitment and cultural capability training will commence in the Cancer Service at South Western Sydney Local Health District.