Primary care online training on multifactorial breast cancer risk: pre-post evaluation study

It is estimated that more than 250 000 women in the UK are at increased risk of breast cancer, but only a small fraction are identified. Digital tools, such as CanRisk, enable multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment. Implementation of such tools within primary care would allow primary care professionals (PCPs) to reassure women at population-level risk and identify those at increased risk who will benefit most from targeted prevention or early detection. Previous studies suggest that PCPs will require educational resources to support the delivery of multifactorial breast cancer risk assessments.

To develop and evaluate a new 'Multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment in primary care' online training for UK PCPs.

A mixed-methods pre-post evaluation study was undertaken. Thirty-five PCPs from across the UK participated in the evaluation and data collection was completed online between May and July 2024.

The online training was developed following a scoping review of the literature. The Kirkpatrick model of training evaluation was used as a framework and participants were given pre-training and post-training evaluation questionnaires. Statistical analysis for the evaluation focused on the primary outcome of objective knowledge and mean changes were analysed with a paired sample t-test. Qualitative feedback was analysed using content analysis.

Objective knowledge showed a significant mean increase (0.771, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.187 to 1.355, P = 0.011). Subjective knowledge and confidence scores also showed significant mean increases (6.828, 95% CI = 5.150 to 8.506, P<0.001; 4.085, 95% CI = 2.764 to 5.406, P<0.001, respectively). Results on satisfaction, engagement, and relevance of the training were positive.

The 'Multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment in primary care' online training significantly increases PCPs' knowledge and confidence to conduct multifactorial breast cancer risk assessments, and it was well received by PCPs.