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Reaching Further with Online Education? The Development of an Effective Online Program in Palliative Oncology

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Abstract

Patients in rural and remote Australia have less access to specialist oncology services and rely more on local health professionals for provision of cancer care. We have developed a 7.5-h online educational program on palliative oncology for health professionals focused on the needs of rural providers. There were 501 active (enrolled) users and 268 ad hoc (non-enrolled) users, with 90 completing evaluation. Eighty-two (91%) indicated that their learning needs were partially or entirely met. Sixty-five (75%) respondents planned to review or change their practice as a result. The online program is effective in meeting learning needs of Australian health providers, reaching high numbers with high acceptability.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the Program Advisory Group: Dr. Ghauri Aggarwal, Associate Professor Paul Glare, Dr. Henry Hicks, Dr. Tanya Holt, A/Professor Elizabeth Lobb, Professor Bruce Mann, Ms. Rosemary Seiboth, Dr. Rohan Vora, and staff of MedE Serve for their contribution to the development of the program.

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Correspondence to Bogda Koczwara.

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Supported by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing with additional support from Hospira Ltd.

Received from The Medical Oncology Group of Australia. 145 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.

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Koczwara, B., Francis, K., Marine, F. et al. Reaching Further with Online Education? The Development of an Effective Online Program in Palliative Oncology. J Canc Educ 25, 317–323 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-009-0037-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-009-0037-6

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