Using the Web for Oncology Training Curriculum

However, training in supportive oncology can still pose challenges. Researchers studied how institutions used web-based oncology training for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and presented their findings on Monday, June 4, at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (http://abstracts.asco.org/214/AbstView_214_228301.html).

The study, which was funded by the Coleman Foundation, included more than 30 clinicians from 25 institutions (academic, community, and safety net). The group developed an easy-to-use, online supportive oncology training curriculum.

Researchers evaluated completion rates of survivorship and supportive oncology education courses (see Table 1) using simple frequencies, based on data provided by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Continuing Education (https://education.nccn.org/) team.

Results showed that more than 4,748 online courses were completed of 7,184 courses accessed (66%). “Course completion” was defined as fulfilling each of the following steps:

• Pretest
• Course
• Post-test
• Evaluation

Of the 4,748 completed courses, nurses completed 45%, physicians completed 17%, advance practice clinicians completed 16%, and others (e.g., social workers, chaplains) completed 22%. When articles describing collaborative work were published in oncology nursing periodicals, the course completion rate improved to 69% (p = 0.0014).

“A variety of HCPs successfully completed supportive oncology education via the NCCN’s education portal,” the authors said. “These online courses are an efficient way to train HCPs in supportive oncology. Curriculum advertising improves course completion.”

ONS provides online courses for oncology nurses addressing all areas of practice, from chemotherapy administration (https://www.ons.org/content/onsoncc-chemotherapy-biotherapy-certificate-course) to certification review prep (https://www.ons.org/content/ocn®-certification-review-bundle) to breast cancer care (https://www.ons.org/content/breast-cancer-bundle) to cancer biology (https://www.ons.org/content/cancer-biology) and more. Browse the full course listing (https://www.ons.org/education/courses-activities).

Table 1. Online Education Courses and Completion Rates

Education Course	Accessed	Completed	Completion Rate
Distress: Impact on Care, Screening For, and Addressing	621	456	73%
Survivorship Factors: Lifestyle/Behavior, Psychosocial Challenges, Late and Long-Term Effects	569	404	71%
Primary Palliative Care Versus Specialized Palliative Care and Reasons to Refer to Hospice and Palliative Care	465	324	70%
Cancer Survivorship Defined, Patient Needs, and CoC Requirements for Care Plans	584	405	69%
Supportive Care and Documenting Patients’ Supportive Needs	507	350	69%
How to Discuss Practical and Family Concerns	384	263	68%
Comprehensive Care for Cancer Survivors	485	326	67%
Cancer Survivor Screening and Genetic Testing	523	341	65%
Pain Assessment: The Basics	542	352	65%
Nausea/Vomiting, Constipation, Dyspnea, and Shortness of Breath	690	441	64%
Goals of Care and Advance Care Planning Over Time	408	248	61%
Pain Management: Beyond the Basics	619	373	60%
POLST Paradigm: Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Paradigm	284	169	60%
How to Communicate Prognosis	503	296	59%
TOTALS	7,184	4,748	66%