Title
Longitudinal Remote SBRT/SRS Training in Latin America: A Prospective Cohort Study
Date Issued
11 April 2022
Access level
open access
Resource Type
research article
Author(s)
Sarria G.R.
Timmerman R.
Hermansen M.
Malhotra S.
Chang B.
Carter R.
Martinez D.A.
Giordano F.A.
Chetty I.J.
Roa D.
Li B.
Publisher(s)
Frontiers Media S.A.
Abstract
Background: Continuing medical education in stereotactic technology are scarcely accessible in developing countries. We report the results of upscaling a longitudinal telehealth training course on stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), after successfully developing a pilot course in Latin America. Methods: Longitudinal training on SBRT and SRS was provided to radiation oncology practitioners in Peru and Colombia at no cost. The program included sixteen weekly 1-hour live conferencing sessions with interactive didactics and a cloud-based platform for case-based learning. Participant-reported confidence was measured in 16 SBRT/SRS practical domains, based on a 1-to-5 Likert scale. Pre- and post-curriculum exams were required for participation credit. Knowledge-baseline, pre- and post-curriculum surveys, overall and single professional-group confidence changes, and exam results were assessed. Results: One hundred and seventy-three radiotherapy professionals participated. An average of 56 (SD ±18) attendees per session were registered. Fifty (29.7%) participants completed the pre- and post-curriculum surveys, of which 30% were radiation oncologists (RO), 26% radiation therapists (RTT), 20% residents, 18% medical physicists and 6% neurosurgeons. Significant improvements were found across all 16 domains with overall mean +0.55 (SD ±0.17, p<0.001) Likert-scale points. Significant improvements in individual competences were most common among medical physicists, RTT and residents. Pre- and post-curriculum exams yielded a mean 16.15/30 (53.8 ± 20.3%) and 23.6/30 (78.7 ± 19.3%) correct answers (p<0.001). Conclusion: Longitudinal telehealth training is an effective method for improving confidence and knowledge on SBRT/SRS amongst professionals. Remote continuing medical education should be widely adopted in lower-middle income countries.
Volume
12
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Oncología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85128939505
Source
Frontiers in Oncology
Resource of which it is part
Frontiers in Oncology
Source funding
Varian Medical Systems
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus