How Australia Built a Cancer Care Pathway for Rural and Remote Patients

Australia is building an “Optimal Care Pathway” aimed specifically at cancer patients in rural and remote areas, addressing survival gaps with urban residents. In a Viewpoint in eClinicalMedicine, researchers led by Hannah Jongebloed and Anna Ugalde of Deakin University, working through the ECORRA program, describe the pathway as both a clinical guide and a model for how health systems can implement equity-focused standards for underserved populations. The article cites evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses showing poorer cancer-specific and all-cause survival for people far from cities, linked to barriers such as reduced screening and primary care, diagnostic and treatment delays, limited access to allied health and trials, and workforce shortages. It outlines a development process that includes an expert working group, literature review, drafting, public consultation, resource design, national endorsement and translation, with the rural and remote pathway among the first products aligned to the 2023 Australian Cancer Plan.