Background and Context:
Prostate Cancer Conferences are normally held in Melbourne or capital cities and for the majority of health professionals in regional and remote Queensland, they do have the opportunity to attend these conferences. The Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service commenced at The Townsville Hospital in April 2012 and it was identified that there was a need for a Prostate Cancer Education Day for health professionals that addressed the continuum of care from diagnosis to palliation for prostate cancer patients.
Aim:
To provide up to date information on the management of men diagnosed with prostate cancer for health professionals in regional and remote Queensland .
Strategy/Tactics:
Following development of the program, speakers were invited to present and it also identified specialised services that were available in North Queensland men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Programme/Policy Process:
The program included presentations from Prostate Cancer Physician, Urologist, Continence Physiotherapist, Radiation Oncologist, Radiation Therapist, Medical Oncologist, Hyperbaric Medical Specialist, Sexual Health Consultant, Psychologist, Dietitian, Palliative Care Nurse and Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse.
Outcomes/What was learned:
Evaluation of the Prostate Cancer Education Day indicated that the program addressed the learning needs of the participants and that following attendance they had a better understanding of prostate cancer, treatment options and the management of patients with prostate cancer. 61 health professionals from Queensland attended the education day and they included Nursing, Radiation Therapists, Psychologists and other Allied Health professionals. It has been decided that a Prostate Cancer Education Day will be held at The Townsville Hospital on a regular basis.