Table 3 Potential pilot Implementation research projects identified at interview

Tapping into the potential of the cancer nursing workforce in implementation research

This study targets the largest craft group in cancer health care and looks to trialling an implementation fellowship programme. Cancer nurses interested in taking part will be recruited and supported to design, deliver and evaluate their implementation project through a mix of specialist implementation researcher input, directed learning and an implementation nurse community of practice. Emphasis will be placed on narrowing the equity gap.

Investigating delayed cancer presentations for people living at a distance from a specialist cancer centre

Clinical outcomes are poorer for people with cancer who live at a distance from specialist cancer care services [29]. This study would capture the views of people diagnosed with cancer living remotely from a metropolitan specialist cancer centre such as PMCC, to identify the challenges and importantly what facilitators would support people to present early. This study could adopt an equity lens and target people in priority populations

Exploring cancer clinicians’ perspectives on deimplementation of low value care

Deimplementation of any clinical care is challenging, even when it has been shown to provide low value care. There are multiple reasons for this including consumer views and expectations and clinicians’ perspectives. This study would focus on clinicians’ perspectives on shifting care from a predominantly surgical model to conservative care in prostate cancer, where appropriate; and follow up care e.g., over investigation and unnecessary ordering of investigations.in their clinical specialty.

Initiation of virtual multidisciplinary team meetings MDTs for rare cancers

It is challenging for clinicians and patients to access support and expertise for some rare and less common cancers, e.g., penile and testicular cancer, in regional locations. This study would investigate the impact of a virtual MDT to support clinicians caring for people with rare and less common cancers. Using a process evaluation approach this study would capture clinicians’ perspectives of the virtual MDT and the impact.

Examining and addressing the barriers and enablers to quality data entry to clinical registries for cancer services

Despite recognition of the importance of clinical registries there are challenges in getting good quality (i.e., clean, accurate and reliable) data inputted. Some of this can be attributed to lack of time but the challenges go deeper than this. Studies show adherence to clinical guidelines improves quality of care [30]. This project aims to examine the influences on registry data entry, including feedback mechanisms, to identify interventions to promote improved quality data entry.

EMBED - supporting clinicians to offer genetic testing for rare cancers

The Victorian Cancer Registry is notified when a person is diagnosed with cancer. For some cancers there is value in then conducting a genetic test which can sway clinical management and also have implications for other family members. At present the number of people who are tested is low and does not represent the diverse population of Victoria. This project will establish a mechanism to inform clinicians of the need for testing in specified rare cancers (following agreement across the Victorian Familial Cancer Centres, [FCC]). We will develop a ‘test and tell’ intervention to support clinicians to offer genetic testing to their patients or refer to the FCC for testing.