Improving Practice: Implementation and Evaluation of an Elearning Program for Health Care Professionals in Supportive Care of Cancer Patients at Peninsula Health — ASN Events

Improving Practice: Implementation and Evaluation of an Elearning Program for Health Care Professionals in Supportive Care of Cancer Patients at Peninsula Health (#271)

Lisa Brady 1 , Jill Beattie 2 , Tracey Tobias 3
  1. Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. Monash University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  3. Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

The Victorian Government’s Victorian Cancer Action Plan 2008-11 (VCAP) identifies supportive care targets including evidence of training of the cancer workforce and documentation of supportive care screening. Health care professionals caring for cancer patients require specific knowledge and skills to implement supportive care. At Peninsula Health, there was no standardised and accessible supportive care and screening information available. Workforce training using online programs had been shown to be an efficient and effective method of delivering training. In collaboration with Monash University, SMICS designed, implemented, evaluated and piloted an online supportive care training program to improve health care professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, confidence level and skills to implement supportive care. The 30 minute program consists of three modules, a self-directed learning quiz, and incorporates multimedia. Program participants were employees of Peninsula Health (n=52). Evaluation included completion of a pre-program questionnaire (n=33), a post-program questionnaire following completion of the program (n=22) and again 3 months post-program (n=18). Questionnaires used Likert scale responses (higher the score, greater the improvement) and space for comments, and were completed online using SurveyMonkey software. Results indicate that there was an increase in knowledge (pre m=1.97; post m=3.05; 3mth post m=2.72), educational preparedness (pre m=2.33; post m=3.45; 3mth post n=3.22) and confidence to screen (pre m=2.39; post m=3.32; 3mth post m=3.28), with an increase in use of the screening tool over time (pre m=3.36; post m=3.48; 3mth post m=3.72). These findings suggest that the online training program was successful in improving the use of supportive care and screening in practice and implementation in further sites is recommended. Qualitative responses indicated that participants valued the program, recommending it be accessible remotely in the future.