NSWOG Program Evaluation 2006-2008
Since its formation in August 2005, the NSW Oncology Group (NSWOG) program has engaged more than 750 of the State’s leading cancer clinicians, health professionals, researchers, consumers and planners to ensure clinical cancer control programs are optimally coordinated
throughout NSW.
Twenty Groups, based on cancer type or clinical grouping,
provide the Cancer Institute NSW expert advice on matters relating
to clinical data, education and professional development, clinical
trials and protocols and guidelines.
There have been approximately 215 NSWOG meetings since the first
one in September 2005, up to 30 June 2008.
Groups are comprised of active and interest members,
accommodating the varying level of involvement individuals wish to
have in the decisions and activities of the group. A review of
member attendance conducted in December 2007 revealed a 34.3 per
cent attendance rate. Further analysis through an online member
survey showed clinical load as the primary reason for
non-attendance. Members identified a desire for more structured and
interesting agendas with clearly defined goals and action by the
Cancer Institute NSW. In response to these needs, agendas have been
restructured, with the addition of an explanatory coversheet, and
work plans for 2008-10 have been developed.
The NSWOG Program has delivered on its objectives defined by the
NSW Cancer Plan 2004-2006 and NSW Cancer Plan 2007-2010 to support
and progress specialised best practice, clinical data, education
and professional development, clinical trials and protocols and
guidelines as they relate to specifi c cancer types or
disciplines.
The Cancer Institute NSW has supported 14 high priority projects
identifi ed by NSWOG. Addressing the general Terms of Reference of
the NSWOG program and aligned to the objectives of the NSW Cancer
Plan 2007-2010, project themes included data, patient support,
strategic planning and clinical trials. Project models were adopted
to suit the specifi c deliverables and objectives of the high
priority task. These models ranged from the engagement of
consultancies to the employment of field officers and data managers
or funding positions in established units within Area Health
Services.
Nine priority projects have been completed, with five nearing
completion. All of the funded projects have resulted in ongoing
activity as a result of the deliverables achieved. Future funding
for NSWOG activity will be closely aligned to the goals identified
by each group through their work plan.
In addition to these high priority projects identified by the
NSWOGs, and in line with the NSW Cancer Plans, groups have been
involved in major Cancer Institute NSW project areas including the
review of the Victorian Patient Management Frameworks, additions to
the Minimum Dataset of the Clinical Cancer Registry and ongoing
work with Clinical Indicators and Synoptic Pathology Reporting.
Budget expenditure of NSWOG from its introduction in late 2005
to 30 June 2008 has been $1,298,559.
The NSWOGs have played an essential advisory role in the
development of the NSW Cancer Plans and will continue to do so by
providing advice on key ongoing program areas including refi ning
tumour specifi c criteria for multidisciplinary care, working to
reduce clinical variation in NSW by reviewing clinical indicators,
subspecialisation and driving professional development by way of
clinical cancer forums and identifying barriers and challenges to
increasing the participation rate of clinical trials.
