In the last two years, the VCCC has presented a free massive open online course (MOOC) to meet the needs of primary care practitioners who have patients with cancer. The 4-week online course was developed in Melbourne as a collaboration with the University of Melbourne and the VCCC. Since the first 4-week burst, the course has attracted around 4,000 participants, with health workers logging in from more than 90 countries worldwide.
Patients who have access to relevant, supportive follow-up care once they have completed their treatment for cancer are more likely to do well. A survivorship care plan and a good relationship with a local GP are key factors in dealing with the physical and any emotional problems that may arise months or possibly years after treatment ends.
A big challenge for primary care practitioners is keeping up to date with the latest cancer therapies and models of care, the late and long-term effects of cancer and treatment, and how these may affect the quality of life and behaviours in people living with cancer.
In the last decade there has been rapid, positive progress in many aspects of cancer care. The involvement of patients in their own decision-making is significant. An aspect of the online course is video storytelling, and access to learning through the lived experience of cancer with patients sharing their challenges and expertise.
Increasingly as people age in regional Victoria, and more remote parts of our country, new ways of bringing leading edge cancer learnings from the city to these areas is crucial. Online learning is a powerful solution with primary care practitioners able to log-in whenever, and from wherever they may be, to access learning.
Evaluation of the program shows that 100 per cent of participants gained new knowledge or skills by taking part in the course.
The care plans are a great tool and will standardise and provide a framework for a structured approach both long and short term. I really loved them. I was very interested in the different aspects of targeted management of immunotherapy. I also found the module around supporting return to work very helpful and will be able to use aspects of that to coordinate with the employers directly in my own practice. It made me consider more aspects and more globally about managing my patients.
Ninety-two per cent of participants commented they would change their practice based on learnings from the workshop.
I will be more aware of the chronic long-term side effects cancer survivorship has and implement strategies to manage these better with my patients.
I was amazed at the magnitude of issues that cancer survivors experience, but very impressed at the increasing role of GPs in cancer survivorship and input in implementation of survivorship plans.
The next Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care Practitioners will begin on 7 September 2020. Students can continue to enrol after course commencement dates as the program has self-paced learning. Continuing professional development (CPD) points are available through the relevant colleges.
For enquiries, contact Education Program Coordinator, Erin Turner e: [email protected].
