Chapter 106 - Education to translate research into practice

Abstract

The field of radiation oncology is rapidly advancing through technological and biomedical innovation as well as evolving evidence. However, the rate of knowledge generation is so rapid that the lead time between discovery and broad adoption in clinical practice is long and leads to inequities in care. It is through high-quality, accessible educational programs that we can ensure widespread dissemination and adoption of research findings ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. However, design and implementation of these programs are complicated by a lack of understanding of learning science, the commercialization of knowledge for profit, and reliance on in-person, geographically situated events. Moreover, there is significant variation in interest, motivation, and time that clinicians can dedicate to acquiring this new knowledge. This chapter provides a quick-start guide that covers the basic steps of educational program design, an overview of key learning theories, and some of the important practical aspects to initiating a new program with a focus on tips and tricks for on-the-go education that can be easily applied by those without any formal education training.