Pioneering new educational resources have been launched to upskill the cancer workforce and increase the number of teletrials being run in Victoria.
Teletrials have the potential to greatly enhance equity in healthcare by enabling more regional and rural patients to participate in trials closer to their homes. However, the integration of teletrials into healthcare organisations has faced numerous barriers, including inconsistent messaging and limited education.
The new resources, which include a comprehensive online course and toolkit, have been designed specifically to address these challenges. Endorsed by the Victorian Teletrial Collaborative (The VCCC Alliance, Alfred Health TrialHub and Regional Trials Network Victoria), they provide specialised, practical training for healthcare professionals and clinical trial staff to effectively implement teletrials and network across organisations.
Strong, multidisciplinary collaboration was the key to the project’s success, says Jessica Freeman, Regional Innovations Manager at the VCCC Alliance. “The comprehensive array of resources developed stands as a testament to the dedication and collaboration of numerous stakeholders who generously contributed their time and expertise. Together, they have created a course that enhances consistent messaging and supports the implementation of teletrials.”
Course materials have been co-designed with leading experts from across Australia, with diversity of input to ensure a trusted source-of-truth for knowledge, standards and shared language for teletrials in the cancer sector. Contributors include experts from Peter Mac, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Alfred Health, Bendigo Health, South West Healthcare and Cancer Trials Australia. A range of disciplines from both regional and metro areas were involved, from clinicians, nurses and consumers to clinical trial staff, researchers and sponsors.
Associate Professor Craig Underhill, VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead, Regional Oncology, says the project will set the benchmark for teletrials in the state:
“A wide-range of expertise was captured to develop the materials for these resources. They will allow both sites and sponsors to speak the same language, and approach teletrials with the professional skillset needed to implement them effectively across Victoria.”
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to start their teletrials journey with the online short course, Improving Patient Care through Teletrials. Learning modules cover topics from ‘what is a teletrial?’ to feasibility, budgets and contracts, and ethics and governance, providing learners with the knowledge and information to make their organisation ‘site ready’ for teletrials.
Interactive elements are included throughout the course to prompt learners to think critically about what they are learning and navigate challenges, with video content being added soon with further insights captured from subject matter experts.
The Teletrial Toolkit provides a follow-up resource for course participants to refer back to. The toolkit includes ready-to-go practical guides, checklists and more to ensure an organisation’s teletrial is operating efficiently and adheres to regulations. Specialised toolkits are available for patients and families, investigators, researchers and clinical trial units, and sponsors.
For those who are further along the teletrials learning curve, the VCCC Alliance is running a Teletrials Masterclass on 3 May, 2024. Register here for this free event to delve deeper into the tools, strategies and essential insights needed to confidently navigate the world of teletrials.
