Co-design node grant success for novel oral cancer screening initiative
Mary Stathopoulos from the MISCH co-design node is an Associate Investigator on a successful grant "Oral Health Care in Australia", led by Dr Tami Yap from the University of Melbourne Dental School. This project aims to develop an innovative, community-tailored oral cancer screening service for rural and agricultural communities in Australia, with a focus on the West Wimmera region. These communities are at higher risk due to factors such as limited access to healthcare services, higher rates of smoking and alcohol consumption, and, in some cases, cultural practices like betel quid chewing among the local Burmese population.
By combining digital technology, artificial intelligence, and a task-sharing model, the project seeks to overcome barriers to early oral cancer detection in these underserved areas. The approach involves training local health promotion teams in medical photography and utilising purpose-built software for remote assessment by oral medicine specialists.
The MISCH co-design node will play a crucial role in this project, ensuring that the screening service is developed in close collaboration with the communities it aims to serve. Their expertise in participatory design methods will be instrumental in creating a service that is both effective and culturally appropriate. The co-design process will involve community members, including those from culturally diverse groups, in all stages of the project - from conceptualisation to implementation.
The project's importance lies in its potential to address health disparities, improve early detection rates, and ultimately reduce the burden of late-stage oral cancer diagnoses in rural areas. By engaging directly with the community through co-design processes, including culturally diverse groups, the project aims to create a scalable, culturally appropriate model that could be replicated nationally and globally, ensuring more equitable access to critical oral health services.