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Building pediatric neuro-oncology capacity in LMICs through multidisciplinary education and collaboration: a
Fair Berg1, Gemma Bryan1, Allyson Andujar1
1Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
Background:
The St. Jude Global Academy's Neuro-Oncology Training Seminar (NOTS) is a course in pediatric neuro-oncology (PNO), which was created for physicians from low- and middle-income countries. This study reports on the impact of the NOTS.
Methods:
The NOTS has been imparted in 2018, 2022, and 2023. Data on course participants were prospectively collected, and a survey evaluating course impact was completed by graduates and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively.
Results:
Overall, participants from 38 institutions from 29 countries have participated in the NOTS. Furthermore, 205 individuals participated, including 70 pediatric oncologists, 45 neurosurgeons, 22 radiation oncologists, 21 pathologists, 17 radiologists, 7 pediatric neurologists, and 23 other specialties. Survey responses from 76 participants were collected. Of the 47% of respondents who did not have multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTB) before the NOTS, 55% of those institutions created them influenced by their participation in the NOTS. In addition, 79% of respondents stated that multidisciplinary communication improved after the course. Qualitative analysis identified seven key themes related to the impact of the NOTS course and elucidated the impact of the NOTS on multidisciplinary engagement, institutional practice, and patient care. More specifically, respondents described improvements to interpersonal working, co-ordination of care, clinical management, and decision-making. The NOTS participants have continued to be engaged through the Global Alliance in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (GAPNO).
Conclusions:
A multidisciplinary course on the care of pediatric CNS tumor for resource-limited settings has increased PNO expertise and improved multidisciplinary care. It has galvanized a community of practice to further expand capacity building.
