Morris Lucinda, Gorayski Peter, Turner Sandra
Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Faculty of Radiation Oncology, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol. 2018 Apr;62(2):270-275. doi: 10.1111/1754-9485.12685. Epub 2017 Oct 28.
We report on learning outcomes of a standardized national education program aimed at improving general practitioner (GP) knowledge about radiation therapy (RT) and referral pathways to radiation oncologists (ROs).
In 2014, a GP education program was developed through the Targeting Cancer public awareness campaign of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) Faculty of Radiation Oncology. The sessions were held in RT departments and comprised of RO-led case-based group learning and a department tour. Pre- and immediate post-session surveys assessed four domains: Objective knowledge about RT, understanding of referral pathways to ROs, self-reported referral behaviours, feedback on the session. A 6-month follow up survey assessed ongoing knowledge retention.
Eighteen sessions were held nationwide between October 2014 and March 2016. One hundred and seventy-four were surveyed. Pre-session, 96% of GPs reported their knowledge of RT required improvement. Post-session, 95% rated their knowledge as 'excellent', 'above average' or 'competent'. 32.5% of GPs were not aware of the location of their local RT department. 81% reported patients would benefit from having clearer referral pathways to ROs. 96% agreed the GP's role is to refer cancer patients to relevant specialists to discuss treatment options. However, only 49% were comfortable referring directly to an RO. Post-session rose to 92%. All respondents felt the session improved their understanding of RT. In the follow up survey, 17 respondents (94%) reported the session had improved their ability to care for cancer patients.
A national GP education program improves GP knowledge about RT and may influence patient referrals for RT.
我们报告了一项标准化国家教育项目的学习成果，该项目旨在提高全科医生（GP）对放射治疗（RT）的知识以及向放射肿瘤学家（RO）的转诊途径。
2014年，通过澳大利亚和新西兰皇家放射科医师学院（RANZCR）放射肿瘤学系的“靶向癌症”公众宣传活动制定了一项全科医生教育项目。课程在放射治疗科室举行，包括由放射肿瘤学家主导的基于病例的小组学习和科室参观。课前和课后即时调查评估了四个领域：关于放射治疗的客观知识、对向放射肿瘤学家转诊途径的理解、自我报告的转诊行为、对课程的反馈。一项为期6个月的随访调查评估了知识的持续保留情况。
2014年10月至2016年3月期间在全国范围内举办了18场课程。174人接受了调查。课前，96%的全科医生报告他们对放射治疗的知识需要改进。课后，95%的人将他们的知识评为“优秀”、“高于平均水平”或“胜任”。32.5%的全科医生不知道当地放射治疗科室的位置。81%的人报告患者将从更清晰的向放射肿瘤学家的转诊途径中受益。96%的人同意全科医生的角色是将癌症患者转诊给相关专家以讨论治疗方案。然而，只有49%的人愿意直接转诊给放射肿瘤学家。课后这一比例上升到92%。所有受访者都认为该课程提高了他们对放射治疗的理解。在随访调查中，17名受访者（94%）报告该课程提高了他们照顾癌症患者的能力。
一项全国性的全科医生教育项目提高了全科医生对放射治疗的知识，并可能影响患者对放射治疗的转诊。
