As a radiation therapist with over 30 years of experience, Kylie Auld has a wealth of knowledge and connections throughout the global radiation therapy community. Even so, she understands that there’s only so much you can know when you haven’t experienced the cancer treatment yourself.
As the Course Director for the Master of Radiation Therapy (MRT) at Monash University, she is always looking for ways to bring more “authentic learning” to the course and its students.
In 2023, after over two decades of collaboration between Monash University and Cancer Council Victoria volunteers, Kylie once again turned to our Community Advisory Network (CAN), an initiative that sees over 150 people affected by cancer draw on their lived experiences to give back and contribute to improved cancer outcomes for others.
“I can always tell the students from my perspective,” Kylie says, “but to hear things from people with a lived experience perspective can be very different.”
Kylie Auld, Course Director Master of Radiation Therapy, Monash University
Learning from patient perspectives
Starting in 2004, MRT students have attended sessions hosted by Cancer Council Victoria volunteers, who share their lived experience to help the students see the bigger picture for patients with cancer going through treatment.
In an open discussion, held online with students from all over Australia, the presenters share their personal experiences of being treated for cancer – and how, by drawing on skills like empathy and communication, the students can make that time easier for their future patients.
“They’re talking to the students about really simple ways to interact with them as a person, not as a patient or a checklist item,” Kylie says. “I want them to learn that there's so much more to each of our patients than just the 10 minutes they spend with us for their appointment.”
The sessions are kept as open and comfortable as possible, with the students encouraged to ask questions and the CAN members free to bounce off each other as they share their stories. No subject is off-limits, with the presenters’ permission, allowing the cohort to explore less discussed topics such as intimacy, body image and cancer’s emotional impact.
“I can teach students, I can make up scenarios, but I can only make assumptions on what patients have experienced,” Kylie says. “But they’re the people that can tell us exactly how it is. I think their contribution is invaluable.”
Jon Graftdyk, Community Advisory Network representative
Contributing to a better future for cancer care
For Jon, one of the CAN members who has shared his story as part of these sessions, this early stage in the students’ careers is the perfect opportunity to help improve the relationships between patients and their care teams.
“Being able to help influence young professionals early in their career, before they have started to treat patients, is the right time to build these skills and understanding,” he says. “It is a lot harder to change your behaviour once you are well into your career.”
Jon says he always finds the session personally rewarding, especially when it’s clear he’s connected with the students and is making an impact by giving them the tools to improve how they interact with people affected by cancer.
“It’s a real opportunity for the students to talk to consumers in a very safe space where we are comfortable with them asking some of the awkward questions.”
The sessions have inspired Kylie’s students to work on their patient communication skills and developing rapport, something especially important as radiation therapy patients typically see their treatment team every weekday for up to eight weeks.
“These are really fresh students… maybe their first three or four weeks of being out on clinical placement,” she says. “So, a lot of them are still quite nervous. It’s really teaching them about what it’s like for the patients.”
Lived experience storytelling has also been incorporated in other courses at Monash University off the back of the success of this program, featured in both the Bachelor of Radiation Sciences and the Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging courses among others. The team expects this initiative to continue to grow as in integral part of educating tomorrow’s health professionals.
Get involved with the Community Advisory Network
Cancer Council’s Community Advisory Network members have a diverse range of experience and expertise.
All have either had a cancer diagnosis or cared for someone with cancer and are passionate about improving cancer outcomes for others. We welcome all organisations to contact us about working with our CAN members.
If you would like a community representative from the Community Advisory Network to contribute to your project please complete this form online form.
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