Bena Brown

Through the marriage of Bena's research to clinical cancer care, a number of service delivery improvements, changes in clinical practice, and models of care have been developed to optimise the healthcare received in Queensland hospitals. Bena's PhD examined the impact of novel, intensive radiotherapy regimens on swallowing, nutrition, and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer. The outcomes of this body of work defined the altered fractionation radiotherapy regimen adopted at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Bena's work in developing an electronic patient-reported outcome platform "ScreenIT", and subsequently "My HealthMy Way" has given patients, and their families, a voice to drive the cancer healthcare they need, when they need it, by the professional most able to support them. This has resulted in streamlined clinical care, reduction in low value care, and cost-efficiencies of $400,000 per year for hospital using this ePRO system. Through the supervision of Bena's clinician-research RHD students, further changes to health professional communication skills training in cancer care have been adopted, assessment and management of distress during cancer treatment has been optimised, and the identification and assessment of lymphoedema better managed. Bena is currently interested in supporting students who idenitfy as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or student who wish to work in the area of improving cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their families and communities.

All of Bena's research endeavours are aimed at improving the experience and outcomes of Australians with cancer - either by direct translation of research findings into clinical care, or optimising the care provided by health professionals.