Implementation of a Web-based Platform to Improve Radiation Oncology Education and Quality in India

Abstract

Chartrounds (www.chartrounds.com) is a free web-based virtual conferencing platform for radiation oncologists to review cases with leading disease-site experts. Chartrounds was founded in the US in 2010, and in recent years the international member base has grown substantially. To respond to the increased interest in Chartrounds globally, 4 dedicated international Chartrounds sites were developed: Chartrounds India, Chartrounds Africa, Chartrounds Latin America, and Chartrounds China. Chartrounds India was the first site to launch in June 2017, and our initial experience with this initiative is reported here. The US Chartrounds platform was adapted to create Chartrounds India (ind.chartrounds.com). Through a partnership with the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI), India-based specialists were recruited, and the potential Chartrounds India audience was targeted through the AROI membership email list. The first Chartrounds India session commenced in June 2017, and one-hour disease site and/or technique focused sessions have continued on a weekly basis at a scheduled time since. In September 2017, a survey was sent to all Chartrounds India members to collect initial feedback. The same feedback questions from this initial survey were asked of participants after each subsequent session from October 2017 onward. Between June 2017 and January 2018, 27 Chartrounds India sessions were completed, led by 21 different specialists (representing 9 centers in India), and covering 11 disease sites/topics (Breast: 2, CNS: 3, Gastrointestinal: 2, Genitourinary: 5, Gynecologic: 3, Head and Neck: 3, Thoracic: 2, Ocular: 2, Pediatrics: 1, SBRT: 3, Radiobiology: 1). At the conclusion of January 2018, 554 radiation oncologists and medical physicists in India had registered as members. 240 members from 126 centers (private: 56%, teaching: 36%, public: 8%) across 24 states/territories had participated in at least one Chartrounds India session. Of the 240 members that had participated in at least 1 session, 159 (66%) had participated in 2 or more sessions and 60 (25%) had participated in 5 or more sessions. The average number of participants per session was 34 (range 13-72). On average, 80% of respondents rated the sessions as high or very high quality. 87% and 95% agreed or strongly agreed that the time was used effectively and that the sessions were relevant to daily practice, respectively. 76% agreed or strongly agreed that the sessions will result in a change in their practice. The average feedback survey response rate was 32% (range 17-49%). Chartrounds has proven to be an effective resource for US-based radiation oncologists, and our early experience with Chartrounds India suggests that an online platform for radiation oncology case review and education can be successfully implemented globally with utilization of local disease site experts.