Innovation in cancer policy & health systems education during hematology-oncology (HO) fellowship training: Single center experience.

Abstract

446 Background: Cancer care delivery and outcomes in the US are influenced by a complex health system and regulatory environment. To our knowledge, a structured approach to education on these topics during HO training is lacking. We sought to evaluate baseline knowledge and establish a longitudinal curriculum aimed at educating HO trainees on cancer policy. Methods: First year HO trainees at Johns Hopkins were surveyed on their prior education related to affordability, social determinants of health, and oncologic drug development. Based on these results, a longitudinal curriculum with 10 didactic sessions led by invited content experts was developed and implemented into the 2022-23 academic year schedule. Impact of curriculum was evaluated through anonymous surveys at the beginning and end of each teaching session. Results: Pre-curricular intervention survey was completed by 12 fellows (100% response rate; 58% female, 41.6% White; 16.6% IMGs). All had treated patients that were uninsured (100%, n = 12), unable to afford care (100%, n = 12), or lacked stable housing, transportation, food and employment (100%, n = 12). Smaller number had counseled patients on clinical trial enrollment (50%, n = 6) or discussed trial endpoints (33%, n = 4). Systems education prior to fellowship varied by topic: social determinants of health (33%, n = 4), critical appraisal of clinical trials (33%, n = 4), oncologic care in low-resource settings (41.6%, n = 5), high-value care (66%, n = 8), health insurance (91%, n = 11). Pre and post-surveys demonstrated each teaching session was associated with a significant improvement in fellows’ confidence in understanding pre-set lecture objectives (Table; cumulative mean improvement 1.14 from “neutral” pre-intervention, to “agree” or “strongly agree” post-intervention). Conclusions: We demonstrate lack of education on practice-relevant systems topics in HO trainees at time of subspecialty education initiation. Our longitudinal systems education curriculum improved trainee awareness and understanding of these complex topics. Future efforts will build on this scalable curriculum utilizing trainee feedback and departmental buy-in with the goal of training an oncologic workforce better equipped to counsel patients, navigate structural barriers, and appraise evidence.[Table: see text]