Topic: The Experiences of Young People Living with Cancer in Regional/Remote Queensland: Connection Helps through Treatment Relocation Experiences 

There is little qualitative research on the experiences of, or social work practice with, young people living with cancer in non-metropolitan Australia. Dr Sariman’s PhD research sought to address these gaps and inform practice with young regional and remote Australians living with cancer.

In-depth interviews were conducted with young people living with cancer and social workers and their perspectives highlighted multiple hardships for young people, marked by cumulative loss and trauma. The results suggested that returning home and establishing a new normal is the goal of the liminal experience psychosocially for young people, even when their cancer becomes incurable.

Jodi’s published results (Sariman et al., 2022) were used to inform a Quality Improvement Activity in the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS), trialling an interventional tool – “My Connections”. Jodi will also share the results of the six-month trial using this tool and the next steps for its use.

Speaker: Dr Jodi Sariman

Dr Jodi Sariman is an Advanced Social Worker who has worked in various health settings across Far North Queensland for 33 years, specialising in cancer and palliative care across the lifespan. Jodi’s current role is Allied Health Educator and Research Lead for the Specialist Palliative Rural Telehealth Service (SPaRTa). Jodi completed her PhD, graduating in March 2025, on: The Experiences of Young People Living with Cancer in Outer Regional and Remote Queensland: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study.

Webinar start times across Australia and New Zealand for Wednesday May 20th:

This seminar is FREE for CURRENT OSWANZ members. As a member you will have access to the powerpoint presentation and recording of the session within the Members Only section of the website. Members must log into the website first to access the free registration.