Upskilling in cancer nutrition care: Co-design of a resource for primary care dietitians |
Who is conducting the research?
Henriette Ryding henriette.ryding@griffithuni.edu.au1
Dr LanaMitchelllana.mitchell@griffith.edu.au1
Prof Rozanne Kruger r.kruger@griffith.edu.au1
Dr Roshan Rigby rrigby@bond.edu.au2
Dr Lizzy Johnston lizzyjohnston@cancerqld.org.au3
1 School of Health Science and Social Work, Nutrition and Dietetics, Griffith University
2 Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Master of Nutrition and Dietetics Practice, Bond University
3 Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland
You are invited to participate in co-designing a resource to support primary care dietitians in providing nutrition care to cancer survivors. This invitation is extended to individuals with relevant expertise or perspectives, including primary care dietitians seeking to upskill in cancer nutrition care, cancer survivors, primary care dietitians with expertise in cancer nutrition care, medical/oncology practitioners, other health professionals or Community-based Cancer Council Queensland supportive care experts.
Why is the research being conducted?
With more people living with a cancer diagnosis and surviving longer after treatment, community-based allied health services need to be equipped to cope with the increased demand for supportive care. Primary care dietitians are well positioned to deliver the nutritional care that cancer survivors require. Previous research conducted by the research team with primary care dietitians has identified a need for a resource that supports primary care dietitians to further develop their skills in cancer nutrition care, addressing the limited opportunities currently available for professional development. There is a need for appropriate and accessible educational resources available to primary care dietitians to support them in providing nutrition care to cancer survivors. This research aims to explore, design, pilot test, and evaluate a resource to support dietitians in advancing their expertise in nutritional cancer care.
Who can participate?
Eligible co-design participants must be ≥ 18 years, and one of the following:
1. Primary care dietitians:
- Primary care dietitian wanting to upskill in nutrition cancer care
2. Dietitians specialising in cancer care:
- Primary care dietitians with broad experience in nutrition cancer care.
- Oncology outpatient dietitians working closely with hospital teams and experienced in seeing
cancer survivors post front-line treatment
- Hospital oncology specialist dietitians
3. Medical and oncology experts:
- Oncologists who refer to primary care dietitians for nutrition care
- General Practitioners (GPs) with cancer patients who refer to primary care dietitians for
nutrition care
- Other health practitioners involved in cancer care
4. Community-based supportive care experts:
- Dietitians
- Support advisors
- Education and information advisors
5. Cancer care clients and caregivers:
- Community members living with a current or previous cancer diagnosis who have or will seek
dietary advice from primary care dietitians and community members who have experience of
caring for someone with cancer
What will you be asked to do?
Participation in this study involves taking part in up to three co-design workshops lasting approx. 90 minutes each. Each of the three workshops will focus on a different stage of the project, and all are equally important to its success. Ideally, participating in all three will help ensure the greatest impact and contribute to creating a resource that will ultimately benefit cancer survivors.
Your contribution will include:
a. Identifying gaps and deficiencies in existing resources to address unmet needs,
usability and relevance of information
b. Brainstorming and refining ideas for a resource, including possible formats,
visual elements and distribution methods
c. Contributing to the development and creation of a resource based on steps a and b
You will be offered an e-gift card valued at $75 per workshop.
The expected benefits of the research
Benefits of participation include the opportunity to contribute to the development of a resource that will enhance primary care dietitians' knowledge and confidence in providing nutritional care to cancer survivors. Your input will play a valuable role in improving support for dietitians and ultimately benefiting cancer survivors in primary care settings.
Risks to you
In completing the workshops, there are no anticipated risks beyond normal day-to-day living. Sometimes, talking about the experiences of people affected by cancer can create some uncomfortable or distressing feelings. If you feel uncomfortable or distressed during the focus group, please let the facilitator know. If you need emotional support after the focus group, please contact 13 11 20, Cancer Council Queensland's free telephone support line. You may also wish to consider consulting your GP for additional support.
Your confidentiality
Your personal information will be protected and safeguarded at all times. All data is confidential and will be reported as de-identified to ensure your anonymity at all times. The information collected will not be disclosed to third parties without your consent, except to meet government, legal or other regulatory authority requirements. A de-identified copy of this data may be used for other research purposes, including publishing openly (e.g. in an open access repository). For further information consult the University's Privacy Plan at https://www.griffith.edu.au/about-griffith/corporate-governance/plans-publications/griffith-university-privacy-plan or telephone (07) 3735 4375. As required by Griffith University, all research data will be retained in a password protected electronic file at Griffith University on the Griffith University Storage platform for a minimum period of five years before being destroyed. Additionally, audio recordings and transcripts of all workshops will be securely stored in three password protected locations on Cancer Council Queensland servers only accessible to named members of the research team at Cancer Council Queensland.
Your participation is voluntary
Your participation is voluntary. Your decision to participate or withdraw will in no way impact your relationship with Griffith University, Cancer Council Queensland or Bond University. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without a reason. If you choose to withdraw from the study after participating in one or more workshops, any data you have contributed during those workshops will still be used in the analysis but will be fully de-identified. This means your personal information will not be linked to the data, and your identity will remain confidential. Your decision to withdraw will not affect your relationship with the researchers or the institutions conducting this study.
Questions/further information
If you would like additional information regarding the project, please contact the PhD candidate Henriette Ryding: henriette.ryding@griffithuni.edu.au
The ethical conduct of this research
This research has been approved by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (GU ref no.: 2024/896). Griffith University conducts research in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023). If you have any concerns or complaints about the ethical conduct of the research project, please contact the Manager, Research Ethics on (07) 3735 4375 or research-ethics@griffith.edu.au.
Feedback to you
This research will be submitted for publication in an academic journal, as well as for presentation at related conferences. A plain language summary of results will be developed and made available to those who request the summary via email. The results of this research will form part of Henriette Ryding's thesis and will be part of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree.