Development and pilot of Trainers in Oncofertility Reproductive Communication and Health (TORCH) program.

Area of Science:

• Oncofertility
• Reproductive Health Education
• Cancer Survivorship

Background:

• Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) require specialized training to counsel adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients on reproductive health.
• Existing programs may not adequately equip AHPs with the necessary communication and clinical skills.
• The Trainers in Oncofertility Reproductive Communication and Health (TORCH) program was developed to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the ECHO-TORCH program in training AHPs.
• To assess improvements in knowledge and skills related to oncofertility counseling for AYA cancer patients.
• To determine the program's impact on empowering AHPs to lead reproductive health initiatives.

Main Methods:

• The ECHO-TORCH program utilized web-based modules and simulation exercises for skill practice.
• Participants (n=10) completed pre- and post-tests to measure knowledge acquisition.
• Skills were assessed during simulations by standardized learners (SLs) and faculty observers, supplemented by online focus groups.

Main Results:

• Learners demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge, with post-test scores improving from 76% to 86% (p<0.01).
• Both SLs (86%) and faculty observers (90%) rated learners highly, indicating confidence in their abilities.
• Focus groups revealed high participant satisfaction, with modules deemed clear, relevant, and beneficial for skill development.

Conclusions:

• The ECHO-TORCH program effectively enhanced AHPs' knowledge and skills in oncofertility counseling for AYA cancer patients.
• The train-the-trainer model empowers AHPs to disseminate this crucial information within their institutions.
• Improved counseling quality ultimately supports AYA cancer patients in making informed reproductive health decisions, enhancing their quality of life.