Online Exclusive - Sept. 29, 2009
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| Jamie Von Roenn, MD |
ASCO’s eLearning center, ASCO University™, is designed to serve as the online educational home for oncology care professionals. It encourages lifelong learning by offering practice resources and educational opportunities to those within all subspecialties of oncology. It is also a key support for those enrolled in Maintenance of Certification (MOC) and those preparing for Certification. ASCO University™ is managed under the concept that a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care is key to the future of oncology. Accordingly, ASCO University™ promotes continuity among subspecialty-specific products and services so that all users may share a similar understanding about treatment and best practices.
In the interview that follows, Jamie Von Roenn, MD, 2009-2010 Chair of the Education Products Subcommittee, which reports to the Cancer Education Committee, discusses how ASCO University™ provides users with a diverse collection of content and supporting resources.
AN&F: Why should oncologists visit ASCO University
™?
Dr. Von Roenn: ASCO University
™ addresses the needs of many oncology care professionals. For example:
Fellows preparing for the ASCO In-Training Examination or for Certification:
- ASCO SEP® is a primary resource for examination preparation. ASCO University™ allows fellows to take a self-assessment examination that includes reference links to ASCO SEP® content and answer-rationales to reinforce an understanding of testing points. Other modules available offer a more targeted focus on topics of interest through case-based formats. Most modules include a self assessment, as well as a comprehensive bibliography with links to the related references.
Oncologists needing to begin or continue in the MOC process:
- Step-by-step guidelines for how to begin and navigate through the MOC process are included, along with testimonials from those who have recently completed the process. Examples of Performance Improvement modules are also included, as well as information on how to use ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) to satisfy the Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance requirements. Medical Knowledge self-assessments that are approved by the American Board of Internal Medicine for MOC points are also offered.
Oncologists wanting to stay abreast of the key highlights from ASCO Annual Meetings and thematic symposia:
- Educational modules summarize the key findings from practice-changing scientific studies and report on the important educational discussions that are presented at a particular meeting. These CME-accredited modules capture information presented at the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, the Genitourinary Cancer Symposium, the Breast Cancer Symposium, and the ASCO Annual Meeting.
For thematic, disease-specific symposia, a review of the science and education presented is offered through the perspective of radiation, surgical, and medical oncology. Therefore, the online reviews complement the multidisciplinary nature of the meetings and the real-world care of these patient groups.
Oncologists looking for educational opportunities that address practice-related issues and concerns:
- A growing list of targeted case-based modules prepared and presented by recognized experts is available. These CME-accredited modules include case discussion and commentary that focus on common and often perplexing issues that face practicing oncologists. Key reference links and resources useful to patients are also included, along with opportunities for self assessment. One of our newest module features includes discussion board technology, which facilitates active case-related discussion among colleagues and faculty
AN&F: Does ASCO University
™ have material available for support staff?
Dr. Von Roenn: Yes, ASCO University
™ provides practice administration education to
support staff. Currently, there are two modules available that serve as a companion to the practice resource,
Practical Tips for the Oncology Practice. These initial modules focus on the core principles of Billing and Coding, while future modules will address additional practice-related topics such as Medicare.
AN&F: What are the benefits of this website?
Dr. Von Roenn: ASCO University
™ allows individuals to learn at their own pace and on their own time. It’s a resource that is available at all times to accommodate busy schedules. Participants can get their needs met for Certification preparation and CME credit, in addition to non-accredited self-interest opportunities for learning. Members always receive a discount on products that are for sale on ASCO University
™.
AN&F: What areas of the site do you think are the most successful?
Dr. Von Roenn: The
MOC support and the support for Fellows are very strong. The case-based approach used with many of the modules, along with the opportunities for self-assessment, addresses very real needs of the oncology community. All of the modules, MOC content, and educational items concisely target specific topics. These items also offer additional resource links that allow oncologists to “dig deeper” for more information as their time permits. ASCO University
™ also serves as a point of “one-stop shopping” for education and training needs. In addition to the interactive modules,
OnDemand content is available. OnDemand features include modules and links to ASCO
Virtual Meeting and
Podcast content. This convenience underscores the concept of ASCO University™ serving as an educational home for oncology care professionals.
AN&F: How do you see ASCO University
™ evolving?
Dr. Von Roenn: Though ASCO University
™ has had a great start in its first public year, we have some very exciting plans for the future. Some of these plans include:
- Quarterly Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) Reviews – summaries of the key practice-related content from JCO will be prepared by recognized experts. These reviews aim to provide a concise distillation of the emerging science and clinical research that could impact current practice.
- Slide Library – a collection of slides, donated by ASCO members, which can be accessed and used for individual presentations at your institution or in your community.
- Seminal article and core content library – all of these resources will be readily accessible in one spot, and will be linked to the ASCO Core Curriculum Outline.
- More opportunities for MOC – more Medical Knowledge Assessment modules, plus Performance Improvement modules.
- A new edition of ASCO SEP® – the online companion will include additional self-assessment questions.
- More interactive education modules on topics such as symptom management, survivorship, imaging techniques, molecular biology for the practitioner, and Tumor Boards.
It’s also important to recognize that ASCO continues to deliver content with the expectation of it being the highest quality. The resources available on ASCO University
™ are developed by ASCO with no financial support from commercial entities. In this way, we’re able to further minimize the potential for actual or perceived commercial influence in our educational offerings.
