# First Nations Australians and head and neck cancer: health professionals’ priorities for improving the pathway of care

## TL;DR

This study identifies key priorities for improving cancer care for First Nations Australians by analyzing health professionals' perspectives on culturally responsive care.

## Contribution

The study uses concept mapping to prioritize service improvements for head and neck cancer care tailored to First Nations Australians.

## Key findings

- Nine key themes for improving care were identified, with 'Person and family centred care' ranked highest.
- Only 26 of the 42 most important statements were seen as both important and changeable.
- Culturally safe care pathways and communication were highlighted as critical areas for improvement.

## Abstract

I mprovements are needed in the care pathway for First Nations Australians with head and neck cancer (HNC); however, there is limited information to guide the development of culturally responsive care. The aim of this study was to use concept mapping to identify key priorities for service improvement in the HNC care pathway for First Nations Australians, through the perspectives of health professionals delivering care.

Health care staff (n = 27, including four First Nations Australians) reflected on their care delivery experiences and generated suggested actions to improve HNC care for First Nations Australians. Participants then rated these statements for importance and changeability and grouped them into similar concepts. The data then underwent multivariate analysis and multidimensional scaling to identify major conceptual domains.

The final dataset included 73 unique statements, 21 from First Nations participants. Statements fell within nine cluster themes, in the following order of mean ranked importance: Person and family centred care, Continuity and care closer to home, Culturally safe care pathways, Staff cultural competency, Advocacy and support, Communication and connections, Culturally safe environment, Education and information, and Reducing financial burden. Of the 42 statements rated highest in importance, only 26 were perceived as both highly important and changeable, and eight of those were relating to improving Person and family centred care.

Multiple areas for service improvement were identified, with varying levels of perceived changeability. The findings will inform further research involving co-design to enhance the care pathway for First Nations Australians with HNC.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-025-09651-y.