Author of

• 11692

  +

  P2.10 - Poster Session 2 - Chemotherapy (ID 207)

  • Event: WCLC 2013
  • Type: Poster Session
  • Track: Medical Oncology
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:
  • Coordinates: 10/29/2013, 09:30 - 16:30, Exhibit Hall, Ground Level

  • 11721

    +

    P2.10-029 - Educating community health professionals about lung cancer: A pilot evaluation of a web-based educational tool (ID 1663)

    09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): S. Chambers
    • Abstract

    Background
    Previous research demonstrated significant delays from the onset of lung cancer symptoms to diagnosis and commencement of treatment. This has potential to influence the outcome of treatment. However, the diagnosis of lung cancer is complicated by considerable overlap between lung cancer symptoms and those of other common respiratory illnesses such as COPD. We sought to evaluate the impact of education of community health professionals about lung cancer on perception of knowledge.

    Methods
    A web-based educational program was developed by expert panel, to disseminate information about lung cancer. Interactive small group workshops were organized within local communities targeting primary care physicians and primary care nurses involved in the initial evaluation of patients with suspected lung cancer. The web-based application covered lung cancer statistics, presenting symptoms, frequently asked questions, links to the new diagnostic assessment program, and key advances in treatment. Invitations were sent to all family physicians in the Hamilton and Haldimand regions of Ontario to attend a pilot session. Pre and post questionnaires were administered to assess the utility of the educational program. Follow up questionnaires were mailed out after six months to evaluate the value of the educational program.

    Results
    Education sessions were conducted in six family practice offices and one occupational health practice, involving 67 health professionals. There were 46 pre and 40 post intervention questionnaires completed (24 physicians, 10 nurses and 12 other). Responses were similar between city (n=20) and rural-based (n=26) health professionals. All respondents felt the educational session was beneficial to attend. Over 85% of respondents agreed the information was clear and easy to understand, of sufficient detail and relevant to practice. Most respondents (88%) felt they would use the web-based tool personally and 90% felt they would use it for patient education. Following the educational intervention, there was some improvement in respondents’ assessment of their knowledge about lung cancer: understanding and background knowledge about lung cancer (79% v 90%); common presenting symptoms of lung cancer (81% v 92%); understand steps needed to diagnose lung cancer (79% v 80%), standard approach to treatment of lung cancer (52% v 95%); recent advances in treatment of lung cancer (19% v 92%). Six month follow up questionnaires were sent to 45 individuals, with 31 replies. Only 4 respondents (13%) had used the web-based tool. The most commonly used section was on the treatment of lung cancer. The majority of respondents (52%) had not seen a lung cancer patient during this time period. Other reasons included for not using the program included: no need (7%), insufficient time (15%), and did not think about it (11%). Respondents’ assessment of their lung cancer knowledge was lower at six months (range 45%-80%).

    Conclusion
    have shown that it is feasible to implement a web-based lung cancer interventional program in family practice. This may improve short term knowledge about lung cancer, but this does not appear sustained at six months. One limitation to the utility of this program is the relative infrequency of lung cancer patients seen by individual family physicians.