The IBIS-Survivorship Study

Implementation and evaluation of a nurse-enabled, shared-care follow-up model for early breast cancer survivors on health-related quality of life

Project dates:
Commenced: 2020
Completion Due: 2028

The purpose of this study is to test the implementation of a shared-care follow-up survivorship model involving hospital-based medical teams (medical, surgical and radiation oncology) and General Practitioners for post-treatment follow-up care for early breast cancer.

Goal: 

The IBIS-survivorship randomised controlled clinical trial follows and builds on the success of the EMINENT trial. The IBIS trial is a national study investigating a nurse coordinated, shared-care model over eight sites. The expansion of this model to other facilities aims to better understand the system implications and identify barriers to the model.

Participants are assigned into one of two groups:

• One group receives standard follow-up (specialist-led) care and information from Cancer Council Australia.
• The other group receives the shared-care model (specialist and general practitioner co-operative care) involving a series of 20- to 60-minute appointments with specialist nurses, GPs and hospital cancer specialists for up to 5 years post-treatment.

All participants will answer a series of questionnaires every 6 months for 12 months.

This research will hopefully demonstrate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the new model of care which could influence future breast cancer follow-up care.

Project outcomes:

Unlike many other RCTs, IBIS-Survivorship is expected to be sustained beyond the funded study duration. This is due to:

• the strong commitment from the McGrath Foundation, clinical partner sites, and the research team
• Breast Care Nurses being already embedded in the health care system and the use of an existing MBS item for case-conferencing as a key component of IBIS-Survivorship
• infrastructure and networking developed during the project.

This study is the world’s first large-scale implementation study that will evaluate shared-care model for any cancer type.

We will demonstrate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of shared-care models of follow-up cancer care. This study will inform policy and practice nationally and internationally on how shared-care partnership between acute and primary care can be actualised in the real world. This study will also accomplish the goals of the McGrath Foundation and clinical partners including:

• implementing best available evidence
• enhancing the role of Breast Care Nurses in survivorship
• improving patient outcomes.

By 2040, the number of cancer survivors will rise to 1.9 million in Australia. The current model of care is no longer sustainable. It is imperative to propose and test innovative models of care that are feasible, cost-effective, and sustainable. Despite recommendations from the Federal government and clinical guidelines, an integrated, shared-care survivorship model for breast cancer is not yet implemented across Australia. This study will provide a practical solution to a national problem. The evidence generated in this study will inform further efforts to maximise the GP’s role in cancer survivorship beyond breast cancer.

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12621000188831 

For more information, visit:
IBIS-Survivorship Study website

Project partners: 
McGrath Foundation