PDF icon PDF herunterladen
Open Access
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol 2022; 43(03): 241-249
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750206
Original Article

Virtual Teaching and Training Models in Pediatric Oncology: A Retrospective Study from an LMIC

Wasfa Farooq
1   Department of Paediatric Hematology/Oncology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
,
Natasha Baig
1   Department of Paediatric Hematology/Oncology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
,
Bashir Ahmed Khan
1   Department of Paediatric Hematology/Oncology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
,
Muhammad Rafie Raza
1   Department of Paediatric Hematology/Oncology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
› Institutsangaben
Funding None.
› Weitere Informationen
Auch verfügbar aufeRef
  Lizenzen und Reprints
Preview

Abstract

Introduction A multidisciplinary approach is essential for success in pediatric oncology treatment. Updated protocols, quality nursing care, psychosocial support, safe and standardized preparation of chemotherapy, infection control, and effective data management are key shareholders for the effective management of childhood cancer. The Department of Pediatric Oncology at Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) initiated consistent teaching and trainings with the help of the My Child Matters Grant from Sanofi Espoir Foundation. These courses were conducted in person starting in 2019 and had to be postponed and restructured due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020.

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the impact of virtual teaching models for healthcare workers employed in pediatric hematology/oncology departments in low-resource settings.

Materials and Methods After in-person courses in 2019, courses for all six disciplines (physicians, nursing, infection control, pharmacy, psychosocial care, and cancer registry) were conducted virtually starting December 2020, open to all and free of cost. A total of 878 registrations were obtained and 267 certifications given. Lectures with Q&A sessions were conducted via zoom and recordings shared through email. Each course was conducted by the relevant department at IHHN with pre- and postassessment conducted through Google Forms. Session feedback was taken through zoom polls and a comprehensive course feedback conducted after completion; e-certificates were awarded to successful participants according to a predetermined criterion.

Results A total of 434 physicians' registrations were done from around Pakistan and countries like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Jordan, and Canada for the online physicians' course, of which 110 received certifications after completing post-test and attendance criteria of 55%. Pharmacy, infection control, psychosocial care, and cancer registry courses saw participation and certification of 51, 41, 24, and 14 participants, respectively. Online sessions received positive feedback in terms of instructors, course content, convenience, and access from over 90% participants.

Conclusion Due to the ease in coordinating hectic schedules and cost-effectiveness of online lectures, this virtual teaching model will persist despite the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar ventures aimed at pediatric oncology teaching and training are needed in a widespread manner to improve outcomes of childhood cancer.

Keywords

education - pediatrics - capacity building - mentorship


Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
02. Juli 2022

© 2022. Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
A-12, 2nd Floor, Sector 2, Noida-201301 UP, India