COSA has identified the need to improve the coordination of cancer care as an important priority. It has led key discussions and forums since 2006 and is committed to progressing a strategic, national approach to planning, implementation and evaluation of Cancer Care Coordinator positions.
COSA Cancer Care Coordination interest group members are active in the formation of structures that will support key areas in:
- collaborative research initiatives to develop and implement a national evaluation strategy that will measure the impact of the Cancer Care Coordinator role;
- the development of a common ‘tool kit’ of data items and validated tools;
- formation of networks for information sharing by Cancer Care Coordinators across the country as well as web-based approaches to sharing resources and experiences;
- promoting the benefits of the Cancer Care Coordination role within the multidisciplinary team and more broadly to the healthcare community; and
- developing an educational strategy to identify and encourage training in the core skills that underpin the cancer care coordination, regardless of who is undertaking the role.
Further information on this interest group can be found in the member’s area of the website, as well as access to the Group’s resources and communications.
For more information about this group or to become a member please contact Kate Whittaker, Project Coordinator on kate.whittaker@cancer.org.au
Group Resources
The Cancer Care Coordination Interest Group led workshops and meetings since 2006. The 2012 Cancer Care Coordination Conference was held in March this year and saw attendance of 257 delegates. This conference produced a report highlighting the themes presented throughout the conference, as well as priority areas to increase care and support outcomes as expressed by Cancer Care Coordinators and health professionals. The COSA Cancer Care Coordination Interest Group holds a Conference every two years and will endeavour to hold an educational activity for Care Coordinators every other year.
COSA is committed to supporting a national approach to planning, implementation and evaluation of Cancer Care Coordinator positions and activities. We acknowledge that the Cancer Care Coordination role is primarily patient focused and assists with the patient journey.
This database of Cancer Care Coordinator contacts has been established to provide opportunities for networking and sharing of information with colleagues working in their designated role across Australia. The database can also function as a tool to assist Cancer Care Coordinators with linking and transferring patients regionally or interstate.
By entering your contact details you agree for this information to be housed within this area of the COSA website. All contacts will receive The Coordinator newsletter twice a year. Information is available to COSA Members only. Cancer Care Coordinators who wish to gain access to the database are encouraged to join COSA.
The criteria for having contact details on the database are that the person:
- holds a designated appointment as a Cancer Care Coordinator
- incorporates the critical functions of assessment, management, and evaluation of clinical and supportive care needs throughout the cancer journey.
To enter your contact details, please fill in this form and return to Kate Whittaker, Project Coordinator at kate.whittaker@cancer.org.au
All Cancer Care Coordinators who have placed their details on the database will be contacted annually for confirmation and consent to remain on the database.
