Keynote presentations: Prof. Jon Emery & A/Prof. Sabe Sabesan

The second annual Innovations in Cancer Services and Care NSW Conference was held on Friday 23 August 2013, showcasing the latest innovative initiatives from across the State. The opening session featured the following keynote presentations:

1. Professor Jon Emery discusses the results of a recent rapid review by PC4 -- the Cancer Australia Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group - which evaluates the role of primary care within cancer services. Importantly, he highlights the role of general practitioners throughout a patient's cancer journey; from cancer screening and early diagnosis, to survivorship. Professor Emery evaluates the success of primary care-led and shared care models of follow up in comparison to hospital care.

Integrating primary care and cancer services: how can we be more innovative?
Professor Jon Emery, Winthrop Professor of General Practice, University of Western Australia

2. Associate Professor Sabe Sabesan presents his innovative teleoncology project, which has linked 19 rural centres in North Queensland, enabling better access to quality cancer services for people in rural and remote areas. A/Prof Sabesan takes the audience on the complete journey of this initiative; from its conception through to patient and health worker satisfaction and outcomes. He highlights cultural responses to the project, as well as cost effectiveness and future directions.

Telehealth in cancer care: Current status and future directions
Associate Professor Sabe Sabesan, Director of the Department of Medical Oncology, Townsville Cancer Centre