Patient engagement in the Continuing Professional Development programs within the department of radiation oncology at the University of Toronto (UTDRO): A qualitative study

N Henry-Noel; M Paton; R Wong; K Dawdy; A Karim; H Soliman; L Di Prospero; N Harnett; C DeAngelis; C Desai; D Wiljer; T Harth; S Akkila; E Szumacher

doi:10.1016/j.jmir.2022.03.003

Patient engagement in the Continuing Professional Development programs within the department of radiation oncology at the University of Toronto (UTDRO): A qualitative study

J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2022 Jun;53(2):256-263. doi: 10.1016/j.jmir.2022.03.003. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Authors

N Henry-Noel¹, M Paton², R Wong³, K Dawdy⁴, A Karim⁵, H Soliman⁵, L Di Prospero⁶, N Harnett⁵, C DeAngelis⁵, C Desai⁶, D Wiljer⁷, T Harth⁵, S Akkila⁶, E Szumacher⁸

Affiliations

¹ University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
² Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
³ Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁴ Department of Radiation Therapy, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁵ Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁶ Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁷ Faculty of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁸ Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: ewa.szumacher@sunnybrook.ca.

PMID: 35393257
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2022.03.003

Abstract

Introduction: There is little research regarding patient engagement (PE) in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs in radiation oncology. This study aims to understand the barriers and enablers to PE in the design and implementation process of CPD programs, and advance PE in these programs moving forward.

Methods: This qualitative study involved 17 semi-structured interviews, with 5 cancer patients and 12 educators, conducted from June 2019 to April 2020. Interview data identified common themes, such as: the current state of PE in CPD programming, and key barriers and recommendations on how to engage patients in meaningful and practical ways.

Results: Six themes were identified related to PE: the concept of PE, ethical considerations, barriers, key considerations in planning resources, and the anticipated impact of PE on curriculum planning.

Conclusion: Both patients and educators emphasized that creating and sustaining meaningful educator-patient relationships and giving patients an active and effective role in CPD planning would improve curriculum content. The University of Toronto Department of Radiation Oncology (UTDRO) should consider building this initiative into its strategic CPD priorities and ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place.

Keywords: Continuing Professional Development (CPD); Patient engagement; Radiation oncology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Curriculum
Humans
Patient Participation
Qualitative Research
Radiation Oncology*