The impact of online CME on clinicians’ ability to utilize immunotherapy in unique populations of patients with NSCLC.

Abstract

e21004 Background: Immunotherapy (IO) has become a standard of care in the management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, treatment with IO-based regimens may not always be straightforward, particularly in unique clinical scenarios and patient populations. As such, members of the multidisciplinary care team, including oncologists and pulmonologists, may lack experience in utilizing IO in these instances. The objective of this study was to assess the educational impact of a series of continuing medical education (CME) activities on the knowledge, competence, and confidence of oncologists and pulmonologists with respect to recognizing strategies that facilitate the safe and effective use of IO in patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods: The educational analysis consisted of 2 online, CME-certified activities. Educational impact was assessed with repeated pre-/post-education including multiple choice knowledge/competence questions and 5-point Likert scale confidence questions. Data from all oncologists and pulmonologists who completed pre- and/or post-education assessments were aggregated across activities and stratified by learning theme. Relative changes in percentage of correct responses and clinicians who were confident (value of 4 or 5) were used to measure improvement in knowledge, competence, and confidence. A McNemar’s test assessed significant levels of changes reported with P values <.05 considered statistically significant. The first activity in the analysis launched October 2023 and the last launched November 2023; data were collected until January 2024. Results: The educational series resulted in improvements in oncologists’ (N=119) and pulmonologists’ (N=49) knowledge, competence, and confidence after education. Conclusions: This analysis demonstrates that oncologists’ and pulmonologists’ knowledge, competence, and confidence regarding the safe and effective use of IO in patients with advanced NSCLC improved after education. Despite these improvements, additional educational activities are needed to address residual gaps and further increase clinicians’ ability in these dynamic and challenging clinical settings. [Table: see text]