A Work-Based Approach to Acute Oncology Education Murdina MacDonald Marianne Murdoch Rhona Wallace

Introduction A need was identified to develop and deliver formal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) education to support Registered Nurses working within NHS Fife acute hospitals to care for patients under the collective sub-speciality of ‘Acute Oncology’.

Aim To support practitioners to develop the knowledge and skills required to manage acute oncology patients. To facilitate development of clinical decision making and critical thinking skills required to manage the acute episode of patients with cancer-related symptoms. To utilise a variety of case scenarios with supporting theories, to enhance and develop practitioners’ existing knowledge to assess newly diagnosed cancers, Systemic Anti Cancer Treatments (SACT) and disease progression.

Educational Content 2 face to face days and one ½ day presentation Topics Included: Assessment skills Breaking bad news Cancer of an unknown primary (CUP) Pain management Blended approach Completion of the MacMillan Learnzone Acute Oncology eLearning module

NES Community of Practice The innovativeness of this module was the use of an electronic NHS Education for Scotland ‘Acute Oncology Community of Practice’ The Community of Practice influenced the success of this module as it integrated policy and frontline practice

Evaluation & Impact The module was evaluated using quantative and qualitative methods. Feedback after each session was informally sought, then a final module questionnaire completed and focus group held. Additional value was the ability to use this module to support requirements for CPD as part of NMC revalidation.

Final module questionnaire

Quotes from students “I will consider not just patients but the families when dealing with acute oncology and will use this learning to relieve fears and point them in the right direction” Student A “I loved the networking opportunities I got and the range of people on the course - this was one of the biggest benefits, sharing experiences, thoughts and feelings” Student B

Future steps Exploring different models of delivery Focus on service improvement Expansion of acute oncology team