Background:
Supportive care is essential to high-quality melanoma management, yet access to specialist services remains inconsistent.1 Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA) is the primary supportive care provider for Australians with melanoma. In 2025, 55% of patients using MPA’s telehealth nursing service were in pre-treatment or survivorship phases, and 51% were from rural or regional communities. A comprehensive service framework was required to strengthen access to specialist support for all patients with melanoma throughout the melanoma care pathway.
Aim:
To describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of MPA’s model of care and demonstrate how the telehealth service delivery model provides a highly accessible, evidence-based and cost-effective service that improves access and equity to specialist supportive care for all Australians affected by melanoma.
Innovation:
Developed in response to the Australian Cancer Plan and the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, and informed by evidence, service data, and consumer feedback, the model is underpinned by theoretical foundations. It supports the delivery of (a) evidence-based melanoma support across health and organisational transitions; (b) equitable access to specialist melanoma nurses for patients with complex needs, rare melanomas, or from priority populations; and (c) collaboration and communication with the multidisciplinary team.
Outcomes:
A two-tiered nurse navigation framework provides foundational or comprehensive support based on patient need. Patients with rare melanomas, advanced disease, or complex needs follow the comprehensive pathway, which includes holistic assessment, a patient-held care plan, multidisciplinary communication, and a discharge summary for GPs or specialist teams. Clear referral pathways, defined scope, and escalation frameworks complement primary and secondary service provision and align with Australian Safety and Quality Standards.
Conclusion:
MPA’s model of care provides an innovative, collaborative service framework enhancing access to supportive care for Australians. Promoting timely support across the care pathway, strengthening collaboration across settings, and supporting multidisciplinary teams to refer patients for additional specialist support, the innovative service delivery model offers an adaptable and scalable framework for other countries providing similar community-based melanoma support programs.
1 Thompson JR et al. Supportive care needs in Australian melanoma patients and caregivers: results from a quantitative cross-sectional survey. Quality of Life Research. 2023, 32(12):3531-3545