Pre-Congress Symposiums

There will be seven Pre-Congress Symposiums taking place on Wednesday 19 June 2024 and these will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

There are five fantastic full day workshops to chose from, and two half day workshops focused on radiation oncology and gynaecological oncology. 

The Rad Onc and Gynae symposiums will be half-day sessions, and the timings are noted below.

Leading the way- education innovations and challenges in a digital era

Symposium Organiser: Nikki Dean, Nurse Manager, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

This symposium has been designed for nurses working in education roles, nurse leaders and nurses with a key interest in the development of our cancer nursing workforce in a digital health era.

With new and emerging technologies, cancer nursing leaders have the opportunity to explore and apply technology to enhance teaching and learning practices and innovate education. It is essential that nurses are on the forefront of technologies to further develop nurses’ capability in the digital health environment and inspire educational innovations.

This symposium will showcase a series of initiations from metropolitan and regional health services across Australia, as well as industry and academic partnerships initiatives. Presentations and discussions will be centred on the following themes:

• Delivering education and training with the use of technology
• Supporting nurses to deliver care in a digital era
• Innovation in education and training

 The symposium preliminary objectives:

• Share national initiatives and approaches to cancer education and training in a digital era
• Understand the National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework, and how to apply this to education and training to support cancer nurses to develop digital capabilities
• Identify opportunities and challenges in education, training and nursing care delivery in a digital health era and explore solutions

Building Effective Teams

Vascular access device dressing management. Evidence, practice, products, documentation and data.

Symposium Organiser: Kerrie Curtis, University Melbourne/Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre/Austin Health

Have you completed the eviQ Education CVAD eLearning modules focusing on Dressing Management? Meet the experts and spend the afternoon putting it into practice.

Dressing management of vascular access devices is a challenging and complex task. Patients diagnosed with cancer are at risk of inflammatory, infective, skin and coagulopathic complications.

There are 10 core dressing principles. What are evidence-based practices and products to manage complications when they develop? Do you use glue, subcutaneous securement, integrated securement dressings? Do you know what chlorhexidine sensitivity looks like?

Learn from the VAD&IT SPN members who have changed practice successfully in their workplaces, implementation, and evaluation.

Participants after this in-depth, collaborative, and evidence-based workshop will be able to:

• Identify core dressing management practices.
• Describe de-escalation and alternatives for complication prevention and management.
• Have an awareness of the different products available, their indication and application to improve skin integrity under a vascular access dressing.
• Understand the steps in successful change management.  

Overcoming the challenge of addressing impact of cancer on intimacy and sexual function

Symposium Organiser: Professor Kate White, Sydney Local Health District

Participants attending this symposium will gain a better understanding of the impact of cancer on sexual function. Our expert presenters will discuss:

• Surgical procedures
• Anti-cancer medication (cytotoxic meds, immunotherapy, hormone therapy)
• Radiation therapy
• Assessment of sexual function.
• Interventions to address common sexual function concerns.
• Overcoming barriers
• Communication

Developing skills for nurse-led practice change

Symposium Organiser: Professor Mei Krishnasamy, University of Melbourne 

Learn how to determine knowledge gaps, clarify research questions, and implement clinical practice change.

Nurses who work with people with cancer and who have an interest in building their clinical and research skills are invited to attend this workshop. This workshop will help participants develop skills to clarify their clinical questions and build a project to explore, address or evaluate their initiative. No previous practice change experience is needed – just a desire to ask questions, to learn how to answer those questions, and a drive to improve care. 

Nurses will leave the day with a two-page summary protocol, setting them on their way to being able to influence, inform, or lead practice change.

Key learning outcomes:

• Develop and clarify a question or clinical issue you can address.
• Determine what is the best approach to explore a question/practice change.
• Identify the key elements of a project outline to help progress your idea.

Advances in gynaecological cancer care in the digital age (HALF DAY – 9.30am – 12.30pm)

Symposium Organiser: Bronwyn Jennings, Mater Health

The Gyn SPN Pre-Congress Symposium is an opportunity for those working or interested in the area of gynaeoncology to participate in professional development with a specialty focus. It will also be an opportunity to network and interact with other nurses involved in gynaecological cancer care.

Expert speakers in the areas of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and supportive care will present examples of innovative care provision utilising digital technologies. The symposium will conclude with an interactive brainstorming session where attendees can put forward suggestions and ideas for future models of care and research initiatives. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Gain a greater understanding of gynaecological cancer treatments and existing models of care.
• Learn about current research studies utilising digital technologies 
• Discuss new ideas and suggestions for models of care and research questions

Supported by:

Innovation in Radiation Oncology Nursing in a digital era (HALF DAY – 1pm – 4pm)

Symposium Organisers: Michelle Roach, Liverpool Hospital and Kirsten Oataway, Austin Health 

The RON SPN (Radiation Oncology Nursing Special Practice Network) will be presenting a half day symposium at this years’ CNSA congress.

In keeping with the congress theme we will be delving into how the rapidly evolving digital era is impacting on radiation oncology nurses and how this in turn can change the way we deliver care to patients receiving radiotherapy.

Guest speakers ranging from radiation therapists to radiation oncology nurses and clinical nurse consultants will present topics including:

The evolution of MRI Linac radiotherapy treatments and the intricacies in establishing patient care pathways including the challenges and gaps for the wider Victorian community.

How has the digital era impacted on delivering nursing care to patients who live in rural and remote communities?

Case study presentation on the day that a large Sydney metropolitan hospital’s oncology electronic medical record system died! Events leading up to the system failure, the fall out, impact on both patients and staff and lessons learnt from the experience will be discussed.

Using digital technology enabled patients to be actively involved in a research study on topical treatments for radiotherapy skin reactions. Learn how the involvement of patients via a digital media platform was crucial in the success of the study design.   

Click here to view the final program

Supported by: