A Multi-Year Collaborative Curriculum Improves Multidisciplinary Team Members' Ability to Comprehensively Care for...

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) management is complex due to its unique anatomical location and multimodal treatment strategies. Multidisciplinary teams (MDT) including surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, speech pathologists, nutritionists, physical and occupational therapy specialists, and nursing personnel are critical for optimal care. Despite the benefits of MDTs, effective collaboration among teams can be challenging, leading to fragmented or skewed care. We developed an online curriculum with the goal of increasing knowledge, competence, and confidence of MDTs caring for HNSCC patients.

An online continuing medical education (CME) curriculum was available to all healthcare professional. Physician participants were categorized as surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, or pathologists. Participants completed pre- and posteducation questions. The effectiveness of the curriculum was evaluated based on question performance, self-reported confidence levels, and a qualitative questionnaire assessing program impact and participant satisfaction.

All modules were available through an online platform (www.medscape.com) for 8 years (2015-2022). A total of 24 631 physicians participated. All physician specialties demonstrated improved knowledge, competence, and confidence levels, with the highest gains observed in understanding treatment mechanisms and the ability to create customized care plans. Physicians intended to modify their treatment plans (83%), committed to making these changes in actual practice (92%), and expect improved impact in their practice (86%).

The online HNSCC-focused curriculum significantly improved knowledge and confidence levels among MDT members. These findings underscore the value of CME to support well-coordinated MDTs and optimize HNSCC management.