Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for 9.4% of diagnosed cancers in Victoria. 1 CRC survivors frequently experience physical, emotional, and practical challenges following treatment completion. 2–3 . Delivering high-quality survivorship care addressing needs is essential; however, rising demand and increasing pressure on surgical outpatient services limits access to timely, personalised follow-up care. This project aimed to provide survivorship care through a virtual model.
Methods
A Telehealth Nurse-Led Survivorship Clinic (TNLSC) was introduced in June 2025. Following six months of operation, an ethics-approved mixed-methods evaluation was undertaken. Measures included clinic activity and operational performance, completion of the NCCN Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DTPL), development of Supportive Care Plans (SCPs), communication with General Practitioners (GPs), rates of clinical escalation, and patient and staff experience.
Results
Fifty-seven (of eligible 61) stage I and II CRC survivors who had completed treatment received tailored survivorship care through the TNLSC. Mean age was 71 years, 65% were male, and 51% were born outside Australia. The median interval from referral to appointment was 7 days and 7% of patients required a second consultation. Completion of the DTPL was achieved for 100% of patients and 14% were referred to supportive care services. 97% received an SCP that was also shared with their GP. Clinical escalation to a specialist was required in 16% of cases. Patient surveys (n=37) reported 100% satisfaction, highlighting the convenience of receiving care from home. Staff (n=3) identified the TNLSC as a feasible and efficient model capable of managing increasing caseloads without compromising quality of care.
Conclusion
The TNLSC demonstrated that high-quality CRC survivorship care can be delivered effectively and efficiently through a virtual model. Supported by structured workflows and strong interdisciplinary collaboration, the TNLSC has been embedded into routine practice, providing a scalable platform for expansion across other tumour streams and survivorship pathways.