Adapting to Crisis: COVID-19 Leads to Innovations in Bowel Cancer Screening

Strategic Insights -

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers at the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) in Australia pivoted to create a digital platform for an Aboriginal bowel cancer screening awareness program. Instead of face-to-face workshops, they developed a comprehensive suite of digital resources that addressed barriers to screening in the Aboriginal community. This innovative approach not only reached a larger population group but also led to new partnerships and a product with a broader reach than initially anticipated.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Sydney Local Health District's Health Promotion Unit was awarded a grant to raise awareness of bowel cancer and promote the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program among Aboriginal communities.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic forced the team to adapt their initial plans for face-to-face workshops to digital products and messaging on various communication platforms.
  • The resulting digital resources addressed barriers to bowel cancer screening in the Aboriginal community and reached a larger population group through websites, social media, TV, and radio advertisements.
  • The digital platform was able to be used more broadly, with the potential to be adapted in other local health districts and states across Australia.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic provided the team with the freedom, flexibility, and ability to be creative, resulting in a superior product with a wider reach than anticipated.
  • Adapting an Aboriginal bowel cancer screening awareness program to a digital platform is a promising approach.
  • The pandemic also led to new partnerships and a product with a broader reach than initially anticipated, which can be built on and sustained.

Statistics:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic forced the team to adapt their initial plans, resulting in a digital product with a reach further than anticipated.
  • The digital resources have reached a larger population group through various communication platforms, including websites, social media, TV, and radio advertisements.
  • The project has the potential to be adapted in other local health districts and states across Australia, expanding its reach and impact.
  • The platform was developed with the support of The staff from the Sydney Local Health District Aboriginal Health Unit.

Sources:

  • Pivot To Prevent Bowel Cancer: Reflections On Adapting an Aboriginal Bowel Cancer Screening Awareness Program To a Digital Call To Action-a Commentary. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 2023.
  • Sydney Local Health District. NewsRx. New Findings from Sydney Local Health District in COVID-19 Provides New Insights (Pivot To Prevent Bowel Cancer: Reflections On Adapting an Aboriginal Bowel Cancer Screening Awareness Program To a Digital Call To Action-a Commentary). Cancer Weekly. October 10, 2023; p 354.