Western Sydney University awarded a 2023 MRFF Clinician Researchers – Applied Research in Health grant

Western Sydney University has been awarded a 2023 MRFF Clinician Researchers – Applied Research in Health grant to improve cancer outcomes in people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, under the leadership of Associate Professor Carolyn Ee, Principal Research Fellow at NICM Health Research Institute.

The PEARL study will implement and evaluate a patient navigation program designed to reduce barriers to accessing healthcare that hinder Chinese and Vietnamese-speaking people with cancer at a critical point in their cancer journey - at the time of transition back to primary care after cancer treatment.

“Cancer outcomes are poorer for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds compared to people from Anglo Australian backgrounds. This may include a higher risk of depression, and poorer quality of life,” A/Prof Ee explains. “Our study builds on the substantial expertise and experience of our team, especially that of our community partner organisations. By doing this, we aim to ensure that all people with cancer receive the care that they need, regardless of cultural or linguistic background”.

The PEARL (PatiEnt nAvigation to improve outcomes in people affected by cancer from cultuRally and Linguistically diverse backgrounds) study will assess the effectiveness and implementation of a patient navigation program for 288 people affected by cancer from Vietnamese and Chinese-speaking backgrounds in a randomised controlled trial. The study will be conducted across three States (NSW, Queensland and South Australia) and is a partnership with Flinders University, Griffith University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Technology Sydney, the Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials group, CanRevive, SouthWestern Sydney Local Health District Multicultural Health Services, World Wellness Group, Tong De Association of South Australia, Inala Primary Care, the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia, Global Cancer Focus (international partner) and Western Sydney, South Western Sydney and Adelaide Primary Health Networks.