CEPO Program Objectives and Details
Introduction
The establishment of the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre (AWCCC) has provided greater
accessibility to radiation oncology in the Northern Territory. However, our treatment statistics at
AWCCC shows a lesser uptake to radiation oncology as compared with the non- Aboriginal
population. In addition, our study shows that Aboriginal cancers are diagnosed with later stage
diseases therefore leading to poorer prognosis. This program will indirectly address certain aspect of
this disparity through basic oncology care principles and improved care coordination.
The AWCCC recognises the increase need of post treatment care in the community as more
Aboriginal patients from rural and remote are receiving curative oncology treatment.
Post treatment surveillance, intervention and coordination are important factors to address in order
for cancer patients to cope better in the community. CEPO will equip AHWs (Aboriginal Health
Workers) with the basic skills and knowledge to recognise various unmet needs and provide advice
and or refer patients toward the appropriate point of care.
This program will benefit both curative and palliative patients returning to their community after
treatment. Therefore it will compliment the national PEPA program.
Please note that this program does not replace the health system of primary care in managing cancer
patients in the community nevertheless it enhances the ability of AHWs in dealing with cancer patients.
Government Funded initiative
The Clinical Experience Program in Oncology (CEPO) is a Northern Territory Government funded
initiative with the primary objective to improve Oncology treatment in the Aboriginal Community. The
5 day program is completely funded by Northern Territory Health, travel, accommodation and food
for the week is covered by the program and comes at no cost to the participant or community clinic.
Course Participation
The 5 day course is currently open to all Aboriginal Health workers, Aboriginal Liaisons, Aboriginal
Interpreters and exceptional Community Health Workers from community and regional health centres
throughout the Northern Territory. If you are interested in attending one of the scheduled or future
programs please contact AWCCC on (08) 08448233 and ask to speak with one of the CEPO training
staff or fax completed Application Forms to (08) 8944 8222.
Primary Aim
The AHWs who have completed CEPO will have the necessary clinical knowledge and skills to
engage with cancer patients returning to the communities with the aim to:
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Continue educating patients on post treatment care re any late effects from the oncology
treatment
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Keep track of patients’ cancer journey or care-plan
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Assist patients with their referral pathways and the coordination of appointments
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Advocate for Aboriginal cancer patients
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Refer patients to the appropriate health professionals when needed
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Assist AWCCC to follow-up patients using telehealth
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Establish strong relationship with AWCCC
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Communicate cancers education messages to the community
In addition, the trained AHWs will also be able to direct patients to seek urgent medical attention
upon any suspicious signs and symptoms of recurrence.
Secondary Endpoint
Through the CEPO, AWCCC will build a strong network of health professionals from community
health centres throughout the Northern Territory.
The secondary endpoints are
- Improve oncology treatment uptake rate amongst Aboriginal cancer patients eligible for
treatment
- improve compliance and completion of the oncology treatment
- Improve timeliness at various points of care in the cancer pathways
- Improve communication amongst the cancer stakeholders in the NT with the creation of an
internet forum
- Ability of community health centres to be informed of patients’ progress while on treatment
CEPO Learning Objectives:
1. Understand and explain the pathway a patient will follow from referral to completion of
treatment.
2. Understand and explain how chemotherapy works
3. Understand and explain how radiation therapy works
4. Understand skin care after radiation therapy treatment and be confident in educating patients
in this.
5. Identify acute and late side effects from treatment
6. Know the support systems that are available at AWCCC
7. Identify possible cancer recurrences
8. Know how to gain additional support from AWCCC and other organisation when assisting
patients in their community.
9. Use the telehealth system to aid in patient follow up appointments.
10. Search for cancer information from reliable sources on the internet.
Course Content:
1. Oncology Principles
a. This topic will include an introduction to cancer biology and terminology used in
oncology. Participants will have the opportunity to sit in both medical and radiation
oncology clinics and also participate in Multidisciplinary Team meetings. Clinical trials
and their place within oncology treatment will be discussed.
2. Radiotherapy Principles
a. Participants will learn the basic principles of radiotherapy planning, including the
simulation CT scan, through to treatment. There will be time for participants to
observe a number of radiotherapy treatments.
3. Chemotherapy Principles
a. This topic will discuss the different types of chemotherapy and what types of cancer
they are used for. How chemotherapy works will also be outlined. Participants will
have time to observe chemotherapy treatments being delivered to patients.
4. Treatment Coordination
a. This topic will discuss the processes involved in organising a patient’s appointments,
travel and accommodation for the time they need to be in Darwin for treatment.
5. Allied Health Roles
a. Time will be spent learning the roles of the dietician, speech pathologist, occupational
therapist and social worker. These roles are essential to a wholistic treatment and to
provide the best care to patients.
6. Side Effects of Treatment
a. Oncology treatments may cause a number of side effects. This topic will cover both
acute and late side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A discussion of
how to manage these side effects will also be included, especially skin care. There
may be an opportunity for participants to sit in on an acute care session to view how
side effects are managed in the department.
7. Post Treatment Care
a. Participants will learn how to use the Telehealth follow up system so they can assist
patients to use this service. There will also be a session dedicated to the care
required for patients following completion of their treatment. End of life care will be
covered with a tour of the hospice and discussion of quality of life principles.
Teaching and Learning Arrangements:
The course will be taught through a series of tutorials, combined with time spent in various clinical
settings throughout AWCCC in order to re-confirm teachings.
A survey of participant’s initial understanding will be taken at the commencement of the course. A
second survey will be conducted following completion of the course to gauge the change in
knowledge of the participants.
A chat room or online meeting place will be available to participants following completion of the
course. It will be a place for participants to ask questions and share experiences with each other and
staff from AWCCC.