Data to decisions: The impact of online education on immunotherapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract

e17076 Background: Cytokine therapy was initially the only immunotherapy for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The advent of targeted therapies ushered in a new area of precision medicine in the treatment paradigm. Recently, immunotherapy in the form of immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown improved outcomes as compared to targeted therapies and has become a mainstay in treatment. As immunotherapy use moves into earlier stages of disease and combination therapies are explored, education remains essential to optimize patient outcomes. Through the partnership between Medscape Oncology and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, educational activities were designed to increase the knowledge and competence among oncologists surrounding the role of immunotherapy in patients with advanced RCC and uncover remaining educational needs. Methods: The 2 educational activities included a 30-minute online, video discussion with 2 faculty presenters and synchronized slides and a text-based online activity with 2 patient cases and interactive questions. Educational effectiveness was assessed with repeated paired pre/post assessment where learners served as their own controls. The first activity launched September 19, 2018, the second activity launched December 19, 2018, and the data were collected and are reported through December 27, 2019. Results: A total of 9474 learners participated from September 2018-December 2019 including 1029 oncologists. Participation in education resulted in significant improvements for oncologist who answered all pre/post questions for an activity during the study period (n = 302). Improvements in knowledge and competency were observed in the following areas: Knowledge regarding the latest clinical trial data on the use of cancer immunotherapies for the treatment of RCC (49% vs. 74%, p < .001). Knowledge regarding the immune checkpoint inhibitor regimens on the care of patients with RCC (49% vs. 70%, p < .001). Competence related to choosing the most appropriate regimen for patients with mRCC across the continuum of care (54% vs. 76%, p < .001). Conclusions: Participation in online, video- and case-based CME-certified educational activities resulted in statistically significant gains in oncologist knowledge and competency surrounding the use of immunotherapy in advanced RCC. These results demonstrate the value and benefit of multi-modal and sequential activities on improving knowledge and competence outcomes for oncologists caring for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.