BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia is stepping up to the challenge that is not only empowering nurses but is also enhancing patient outcomes across the country. Recently, CEO Adam Lynch shared insights into the organisation’s multifaceted approach, highlighting their commitment to education and support for nurses in both urban and remote communities.
Bladder cancer is Australia’s 11th most common cancer, with more than 3,000 people diagnosed each year and around 1,200 fatalities annually. BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia was established in 2018, directly inspired by the tragic passing of Adam’s wife, Anna, who lost her battle with bladder cancer the year prior.
BEAT was created to provide information and support to those affected by this devastating disease and has since evolved with a four-fold strategy. Today, the organisation focuses on creating awareness within the community, providing support to patients and carers, collaborating with health professionals to establish trusted referral pathways, and finally, influencing early patient access to treatments through policy engagement and informing patients about new treatments.
Empowering nurses through education
Initially focused solely on patients, BEAT quickly realised that health professionals, especially nurses as the frontline providers of care, had a real need for trusted bladder cancer information to support them in their healthcare settings.
“Nurses are in constant touch with their patients, offering a broad range of vital support outside of the clinical setting. This can be extremely challenging.” Lynch highlighted.
To address the needs of nurses, BEAT collaborated with major nursing associations to repurpose the information they were providing to patients into educational resources tailored for nurses. This led to the creation of two accredited modules: one for primary healthcare nurses and another for urology/oncology nurses:
• Primary healthcare nurses: Focuses on symptom identification and the diagnostic process, empowering nurses to recognise early signs of bladder cancer.
• Urology/Oncology nurses: Concentrates on treatment pathways, equipping nurses with the knowledge needed to support patients through their treatment journeys.
These courses are designed to be accessible and flexible, allowing nurses to engage with the material at their convenience. They are free of charge and eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours, making them an attractive option for nurses at all career stages.
In-service sessions: Learning on the go
In addition to the online modules, BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia regularly conducts in-service training sessions for nursing teams nationwide, including those in regional centres. These popular 45- to 60-minute bespoke learning sessions are designed to be interactive, allowing nurses to tune in remotely and engage with the material directly.
Lynch highlighted the enthusiasm from nurses during these sessions, noting the extremely high demand for bladder cancer education. “Nurses want to learn and be equipped to provide the best possible care,” he said.
Community education in remote settings
Understanding the diverse needs of Australia’s remote communities, BEAT recently collaborated with team members at CRANAplus to adapt educational resources specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that nurses could utilise in their rural and remote settings. By providing culturally sensitive materials, the organisation aims to help educate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members about bladder cancer and the symptoms to look out for.
A vision for the future
As BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia continues to champion education and support for nurses, the impact on patient care is significant. By empowering nurses with knowledge and resources, they are ensuring that nurses, regardless of their location or experience level, have the tools they need to make a difference in the lives of their patients.
