Optimal Care Pathways

Optimal Care Pathways

Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs) outline consistent, safe, high-quality, and evidence-based care for people with cancer. OCPs are cancer pathways, not clinical practice guidelines, and are designed to be used in conjunction with clinical guidelines.

Relevant to every step along the cancer continuum, OCPs aim to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer and ensure that every Australian diagnosed with cancer receives the best care, irrespective of where they live or receive cancer treatment. Population-level evidence shows that care aligned to OCPs is associated with improved cancer outcomes.[167]

As increased collaboration, more effective care, improved healthcare provider–patient communication and patient experience are guided, supported, and informed by OCPs, the pathways are a critical tool to achieving health equity in cancer control.

Embedding OCPs within the Australian Cancer Plan demonstrates their importance in describing a national standard of high-quality cancer care. They are key to achieving world-class health systems; providing a framework for integrated, coordinated, data-driven, high-quality health service systems, that consistently deliver optimal cancer care and excellence in outcomes.

In most cases, there are three resources for each pathway:

  • OCPs for health professionals and health services
  • Quick Reference Guide for general practitioners and health professionals
  • Guide to Best Cancer Care for people affected by cancer.

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ACTIONS RELEVANT TO ALL Optimal care Pathway STEPS

2 Years
5 Years

Actions

2.2.1
Develop a national framework for and implement integrated multi-channel, multi-disciplined navigation models that ensure the right support at the right time for every consumer across the cancer continuum.
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2.2.2
Improve availability of co-designed, tailored information and care for consumers to improve health literacy and reduce cancer-related stigma.
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2.2.3
Support health services to provide co-designed, culturally responsive resources to enable healthcare providers to communicate respectfully with consumers.
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3.2.1
Develop and implement a national framework that standardises the development, update, evaluation and uptake of Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs), including for priority population groups.
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4.2.1
Develop an agreed national cancer data framework to improve accessibility, consistency and comprehensiveness of integrated data assets.
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4.2.4
Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led initiatives which strengthen Indigenous Data Sovereignty and governance of cancer data.
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6.2.1
Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in policymaking on cancer prevention, care delivery and standards through leadership, collaboration and co-design processes.
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6.2.2
Strengthen collaboration with service providers, regulatory authorities and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer workforce to establish clear accountability for culturally safe care and compliance with national standards.
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6.2.3
Establish and enhance collaborative partnerships with communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations.
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2 Years

Actions

2.2.1
Develop a national framework for and implement integrated multi-channel, multi-disciplined navigation models that ensure the right support at the right time for every consumer across the cancer continuum.
View action page
2.2.2
Improve availability of co-designed, tailored information and care for consumers to improve health literacy and reduce cancer-related stigma.
View action page
2.2.3
Support health services to provide co-designed, culturally responsive resources to enable healthcare providers to communicate respectfully with consumers.
View action page
3.2.1
Develop and implement a national framework that standardises the development, update, evaluation and uptake of Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs), including for priority population groups.
View action page
4.2.1
Develop an agreed national cancer data framework to improve accessibility, consistency and comprehensiveness of integrated data assets.
View action page
4.2.4
Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led initiatives which strengthen Indigenous Data Sovereignty and governance of cancer data.
View action page
6.2.1
Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in policymaking on cancer prevention, care delivery and standards through leadership, collaboration and co-design processes.
View action page
6.2.2
Strengthen collaboration with service providers, regulatory authorities and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer workforce to establish clear accountability for culturally safe care and compliance with national standards.
View action page
6.2.3
Establish and enhance collaborative partnerships with communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations.
View action page

5 Years

Actions

1.5.4
Develop a policy framework for genomics in cancer control across the cancer care continuum.
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2.5.1
Evaluate, adapt and scale nationally, integrated care navigation models across the cancer care continuum.
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2.5.2
Require health services to provide co-designed, culturally responsive resources to enable healthcare providers to communicate respectfully with consumers.
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3.5.1
Integrate Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs) as routine cancer care using a monitoring and evaluation system that links the implementation of OCPs to patient outcomes and experience.
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3.5.3
Improve equitable access to evidence-based, innovative models of integrated multidisciplinary care across the cancer continuum.
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3.5.4
Implement sustainable approaches to improve access to accepted, traditional healing practitioners within cancer services to enable an integrated, trauma-aware, healing-informed oncology approach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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4.5.4
Expand the use of technology and virtual care to increase access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to support communities across the cancer care continuum.
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6.5.1
Establish ongoing place-based engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to understand emerging needs across the cancer care continuum.
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