8 September 2010
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)* is undertaking a demonstration project which aims to develop and implement a model of shared care between primary and specialist clinicians, for the follow-up of women for early breast cancer, that supports best practice care.
Shared care is the joint participation of primary and specialist physicians in the planned delivery of care and has already been successfully and safely implemented across a range of health settings, including diabetes, paediatric oncology and obstetric care.
There are approximately 140,000 women living with breast cancer in Australia, and due to increasing numbers of women diagnosed with breast cancer and improved survival rates, more and more women require regular longterm follow-up.
Shared follow-up care supports the team based approach to care which could improve links between specialists and GPs and has the potential to provide better continuity and coordination of care, while ensuring best practice care is delivered to patients.
“As a continuation of the important role of GPs in the multidisciplinary team, shared care also has the potential to provide a safe and effective solution while facilitating equity of access to breast cancer care across Australia” said Dr Helen Zorbas, CEO National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre*.
“As part of the Shared Care Demonstration project, GPs will be supported to be involved in monitoring a patient’s health for side effects from treatment, breast cancer recurrence and adjusting to life after breast cancer in the context of whole person care.” Dr Zorbas continued.
The successful Shared Care Demonstration sites are in Adelaide, Newcastle and Melbourne.
For further information and GPs wishing to register their interest should contact www.nbocc.org.au/sharedcare.
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre* is funded by the Australian Government and works with consumers, health professionals, cancer organisations, researchers and governments to improve care and cancer control in breast and ovarian cancer.
Media Contact: Erin Sharp 0458 900 777