Background and Context:
Barriers for young adult cancer survivors attending support programs include limited time, fatigue and lack of motivation (Rabin et al., 2011). A study by Meneses et al., (2010) found that young adult cancer survivors typically use the internet to seek information and network with other young adult cancer survivors. Following these findings, Cancer Council NSW (CCNSW) piloted a series of online webinars, to address some of the workplace and personal issues affecting young adult cancer survivors.
Aim:
To deliver accessible, life stage appropriate information and support to young adult cancer survivors, and their significant others, regardless of location and time constraints. To work collaboratively and effectively with health, legal and human resource professionals to ensure that the latest research and information is disseminated.
Strategy/Tactics:
To utilise a cost effective online webinar process working collaboratively and effectively with cancer survivors and allied health and business professionals to ensure the delivery and reach of evidence based information and support. Webinars are made available to be viewed later in an archive library.
Programme/Policy Process:
CCNSW works with an online conferencing provider who manage and deliver the webinars as well as a social media agency who promote and recruit for webinar participants. CCNSW invites panellists, with relevant expertise to participate live, along with someone who has been affected by cancer to provide a lived experience.
Outcomes/What was learned:
Using digital technology is an effective way to deliver programs to a wide audience. The first workplace webinar received 224 registrations and the second webinar, discussing the fear of cancer recurrence had 350 registrations. These numbers were in excess of what was anticipated. An exit survey reported that 100% of the people who watched the webinar live would register for future webinars and refer others to attend.