CST Strategic Plan

Embed consumer representation

• Champion genuine collaboration and partnership by ensuring active and equal participation of diverse consumer advocates in all activities, programs, and research.
• Integrate consumer representatives into all stages of research and decision-making processes, ensuring their perspectives and needs are central to our initiatives.
• Conduct regular consultations and feedback sessions with consumers to inform research priorities and enhance relevance to the community.
• Provide opportunities to build consumer confidence, knowledge and understanding of cancer symptom research and clinical trials.

Ensure inclusive clinical trials

• Identify underrepresented communities and support strategies to raise awareness of clinical trial opportunities, addressing barriers to participation in clinical trials.
• Develop clinical trial protocols that prioritise inclusivity, ensuring that under-represented communities are actively recruited and engaged.
• Lead the advancement of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse inclusivity within clinical trials.

Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

• Develop strong, respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Seek to understand the specific needs and prioritise the voices and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in our research.
• Co-design research initiatives that address the unique needs of these communities, ensuring cultural safety, appropriateness and relevance in cancer symptom management.

Expand collaboration across identified research priorities and populations

• Identify and prioritise key research areas in cancer symptom management, including identification of priority populations, engaging consumers and stakeholders to maximise collective contributions to the evidence base.
• Cultivate collaborative research programs centred on identified symptom priorities, supporting interdisciplinary networks to share expertise and resources.
• Seek and establish new national and international partnerships to enhance research capabilities and expand the reach of clinical trials.

Explore innovative research models

• Investigate and pilot innovative collaborative research models to address the needs of diverse populations.
• Encourage the use of technology and digital platforms to facilitate collaboration, data sharing, and communication among research partners.

Ensure organisational sustainability 

• Develop a long-term plan to explore opportunities for growth, considering strategic positioning and alternative business models while leveraging on our unique strengths.
• Diversify funding sources by exploring grants, industry partnerships, philanthropy and community support to ensure the long-term sustainability of research initiatives and programs.
• Integrate sustainable practices within research operations and clinical trials to maximise resource efficiency.

Enhance training and research capacity

• Support training programs and promote research and funding for researchers, clinicians, consumers and staff to develop and enhance skills in cancer symptom management and supportive care research. 
• Foster a culture of continuous professional development by providing access to workshops, seminars, and online courses that keep our members updated on the latest research methodologies and clinical practices.
• Create interdisciplinary training opportunities that encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing among members and stakeholders.

Embed mentorship and succession

• Encourage informal mentorship and explore opportunities for formal programs that pair experienced professionals with emerging researchers and clinicians to facilitate skill development and career growth
• Implement succession planning frameworks that identify and prepare future leaders, ensuring continuity of expertise and leadership within the organisation.
• Encourage knowledge transfer through regular mentorship meetings, peer reviews, and collaborative projects.

Enhance dissemination of clinical trial findings

• Assist members to develop dissemination plans for all clinical trials to ensure timely publication, presentation, and promotion.
• Implement innovative dissemination strategies to maximise the reach and impact of clinical trial results.
• Collaborate with investigators, consumers, and stakeholders to effectively disseminate results to diverse audiences, ensuring culturally appropriate communication through both formal and informal channels.

Translate research into policy and practice

• Leverage the rich experiences, voices and knowledge of our consumers to develop and implement dissemination plans to share findings that shape policy and advocacy efforts, creating additional opportunities for consumers to influence, shape and refine policy outcomes.
• Engage policymakers and develop pathways to integrate clinical trial findings into practice to drive meaningful change.
• Promote the inclusion of quality-of-life and health economic outcomes in clinical trials.
• Ensure the consistent collection of a minimum data set across all CST-endorsed trials to support comprehensive analysis and translation efforts.

Evaluate and improve clinical impact

• Assess the effect of disseminated trial results on clinical practice to identify areas for improvement.
• Publish results from programs like the IMPACCT Rapid Quality Improvement Program in peer-reviewed literature.
• Actively promote these programs as resources for cancer health professionals, supporting accreditation and continuous quality improvement.