Our Work
VICS Optimal Care Summits
Strategic consultation identifying important variations in cancer care and priority improvements.
Multidisciplinary clinical working groups are formed to guide the planning of each summit, oversee data analysis and presentation, and guide the refinement of recommendations linked to the OCP guidelines. Clinical working groups comprise cancer clinicians based in metropolitan, rural and regional settings.
VICS Data & Information Management Framework
VICS have access to a wide range of local and statewide patient-level and administrative data. This project developed the first statewide VICS Data & Information Management Framework – to drive improvement and standardisation in how we acquire, access, store, manage, share, and use data.
Care of the older person with cancer
The VICS Care of the Older Person with Cancer Toolkit has been developed to assist health services and ICS improve the care of the older person with cancer.
The toolkit provides information to help identify and address existing barriers, examples of existing geriatric oncology services and key resources including how-to guides, education opportunities and patient resources.
In 2019, a Geriatric Oncology Statewide Scoping project was undertaken by SMICS with funding from the VICS. The project aim was to gain comprehensive understanding of the current geriatric oncology services and models of care, guidelines and other resources available for use with older persons with cancer.
Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning Scoping Project
Timely completion of advance care planning (ACP) and receipt of palliative care both deliver proven benefits to people with metastatic/advanced cancer. The project consisted of four components:
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a palliative care literature review and an ACP literature review
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a study of patterns of end-of-life care (N = 10,245) for those who died from cancer in public and private hospitals and outpatient community-based care in Victoria between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019
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a qualitative review of medical records (N = 34) to examine the end-of-life care of patients with cancer who died in hospital
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analysis of ACP in 73 health services operating 132 public and private hospitals to identify data-based gaps.
Addressing Variation In Outcomes Related To Disadvantaged Groups
VICS recognise that improving access to cancer care for disadvantaged groups is important for achieving health equity.
It is well understood that variation in cancer outcomes exists across the state. It is less clear why these variations occur and how to address them.
In 2019 VICS commissioned a scoping report Addressing variation in outcomes related to disadvantaged groups. This report provides a starting point in improving outcomes for disadvantaged groups across Victoria and can be accessed using the download button on the left.