Background and Rationale
A critical gap exists in the availability of clinicians equipped to provide specialised psycho-oncology care. The shortage of trained cancer psychologists, especially in rural areas, along with long waiting times in metropolitan regions, has intensified the psychological burden on people affected by cancer. In response, the Cancer Mind Care (CMC) platform was developed as a digital solution to deliver tailored mental health support to patients and clinicians. A key component is the clinician portal, designed to upskill healthcare professionals across disciplines by providing accessible, evidence-informed tools to address patients’ psychological needs and improve care delivery.
Methods
To broaden access to psycho-oncology support, the clinician portal was designed as an online hub of curated mental health resources for all professionals involved in cancer care. Psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, and consumers from across Australia feature in delivering the content, ensuring multidisciplinary perspectives and lived experience. A two-part webinar series complemented the portal. The first session, Cancer Mind Care: Breaking Down the Barriers, explored the emotional impact of cancer treatment and practical strategies to address organisational and patient-level barriers. The second, It’s the Same Storm, But What Boat Are You In?, focused on managing complex mental health presentations, including pre-existing conditions and rural care challenges. Both sessions featured expert panels and interactive discussions.
Impact on Practice
Analytics and survey data showed strong and sustained engagement, with over 52,000 page views and 9,000 users to date. The platform supports clinicians and patients, building workforce capability in psycho-oncology and enhancing mental health support across settings.
Discussion
The CMC platform exemplifies a scalable, digital solution addressing psycho-oncology needs, enriched by multidisciplinary input. Ongoing efforts should expand access and content to ensure equitable reach, especially in underserved and rural areas.