Oral Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

IGNITE: development and evaluation of patient, general practitioner and allied health professional eLearning to facilitate care for post-cancer fatigue.  (126690)

Carolina X Sandler 1 2 , David Goldstein 1 3 , Carolyn Ee 4 , Kylie Vuong 5 , Matt Jones 1 2 , Briana Clifford 1 , Annie Serafimovska 2 , Nicki Polykarpou 2 6 , Rebecca Khair 2 6 , Andrew Lloyd 2 7
  1. University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. UNSW Fatigue Clinic & Research Program, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. The Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  5. Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. Consumer Representative, Australia
  7. Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background:Post-cancer fatigue (PCF) causes disability and impacts quality of life. Evidence-based interventions - graded exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy, improve symptoms and function. Yet, they are not readily accessible. Management in primary care is impeded by patient, provider and system-level barriers, including: poor knowledge of PCF and its management among General Practitioners (GPs) who initiate supportive care, and allied health professionals (AHPs) who provide treatment. Consequently, survivors receive suboptimal care, highlighting the need to empower patients as advocates.

Aim:Develop and evaluate eLearning for patients, GPs and AHPs focused on diagnosis and management of PCF.  

Methods:Guided by the Experience-Based Co-Design Framework, eLearning design and content were developed with key stakeholders (n=10), including patients, GPs, AHPs (exercise physiologists, clinical psychologists), and specialist physicians. Development and refinement was iterative using group-based discussions to develop learning outcomes, prioritise topics, and ensure appropriate language, length and content, tailored for each audience (GPs, AHPs, patients).

Results:Three eLearning suites were developed for GPs, AHPs and patients. The eLearning includes modules on: diagnosis; natural history; pharmacological symptom management; and seven supportive-care modules: activity pacing; exercise; ‘brain training’; sleep; cognitive restructuring; mood and coping; and multidisciplinary care. While content overlaps, each eLearning has tailored messaging based on each stakeholder: 1-hour for GPs (80% focus on diagnosis, 20% initiating and facilitating allied health interventions); 2-hours for AHPs (80% supportive care strategies, 20% diagnosis), and 1-hour for patients (navigating diagnosis and management). The eLearning is self-paced and displayed in slide format using text, videos, case vignettes, interactive activities, feedback and in-built evaluation. Preliminary feedback shows eLearning is well-accepted. Stakeholders valued real-world examples, ‘bite-sized’ information, and empathetic language/tone. Further evaluation with additional end-users is ongoing.

Conclusion:eLearning for PCF was successfully co-designed, developed, and well-accepted. To facilitate patient-centred care, eLearning should be trialled within an integrated multidisciplinary care model in primary care.