Cancer Council Victoria is seeking to interview a College representative to discuss identified gaps in skin cancer prevention and detection in the health workforce with a goal to plan and deliver strategies to help fill these gaps over the coming 3 years. Specifically, these discussions will help to inform resources, training and other types of support for health professionals engaging in skin cancer prevention and early detection.
Interviews should take about 45 minutes and will preferably be conducted via MS Teams towards the end of July. Please contact Jenny Johnson (j.johnson@acrrm.org.au) if you would be willing to provide input on behalf of the College.
Background: The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has provided SunSmart (Cancer Council Victoria) with funding, allocated to support education and early detection of skin cancer in primary care between 2019 and 2023. This will be through the development and implementation of a health workforce training strategy to improve early detection, diagnostic accuracy through training and access to equipment, and management of skin cancer in primary care across Victoria.
These programs will include a focus on rural and regional Victorian healthcare professionals and build on the existing Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program which has been operating since 2018. Further details are available at https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/lifesaving-training-helps-doctors-find-skin-cancer-faster/.
The health workforce training strategy aims are;
1. To improve skin cancer prevention and early and accurate detection of skin cancer in primary care, with a focus on rural and regional Victoria.
2. To improve identification and management of high-risk patients in primary care and strengthen referral pathways to specialists, including in rural and regional Victoria.