Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2017

Online educational initiative to address the clinical challenges of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) (#388)

Keith Cox 1 , Emma-Kate Carson 2 , Helen Goodall 3 , Adrian Lee 4 , Christian Steiner 5 , Justin Tan 6 , Deirdre D'Souza 7 , George Krassas 8
  1. Chris O’Brien Lifehouse , Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  2. St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
  3. Oncology Day Unit, Armidale Rural Referral Hospital, Armidale , NSW, Australia
  4. Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leanards, NSW, Australia
  5. Northern Cancer Institute , St Leonards, NSW, Australia
  6. Mundipharma Pty Limited, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  7. Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
  8. Scius Healthcare Solutions Pty Ltd, Northbridge, NSW , Australia

Aims:

To evaluate the effectiveness of an online educational activity to advance CINV management by oncology nurses and pharmacists.

Methods:

A multidisciplinary education committee developed the online educational activity with an independent education provider. The activity is available to all registered Australian healthcare professionals at www.care.mundipharma.com.au The activity is endorsed by the Australian College of Nursing and focuses on understanding CINV and barriers to optimised care; clinical evidence for antiemetics and CINV guidelines; case studies to operationalise key management principles. Pass mark is set at 80%.   

The learning objectives are to:

  • Recognise the consequences of CINV
  • Assess individual patient’s risks for CINV
  • Overcome barriers to the identification of CINV
  • Review the evidence for the different classes of antiemetics
  • Optimise antiemetic therapy based on risks and clinical response

Two months after its launch, an analysis was conducted to assess its effectiveness and utility.

Results:

A total of 98 healthcare professionals commenced the activity and 49 had completed the activity within the first two months.

The majority of participants were nurses (65%) followed by pharmacists (27%).

  • 38% of participants had < 10 years clinical experience
  • 80% passed the activity at the first attempt

The activity was pitched at the correct level with 86% indicating that the activity “Entirely met” their learning objectives and 86% indicating the activity was “Entirely relevant” to their clinical practice.

The most challenging aspect of CINV management was delayed CINV and as a result of undertaking this activity, confidence levels (“confident” or “very confident”) in managing delayed CINV increased from 26% pre-activity to 71% post-activity changed (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

Despite advances in antiemetic therapy, many patients continue to experience troublesome CINV. Ongoing education is needed to raise the standard of care and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of this educational activity indicates that it is helping achieve these goals.