Let's communicate cancer - an evaluation of an e-learning programme for community pharmacy staff

IntroductionLet's Communicate Cancer is an educational programme designed to support pharmacy staff in recognising and signposting patients with possible cancer symptoms. This study explored pharmacists' views on its educational impact, suitability, acceptability, and areas for improvement.MethodsAn anonymised cross-sectional digital survey was used to collect pre/post-programme data and was distributed to participants between September and November 2024. Participants were community pharmacists undertaking postgraduate study at the University of Bradford. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and differences identified using paired t-tests; free-text responses underwent thematic analysis.ResultsFifty-one pharmacists completed the study. Most were female (56.4%, n = 29) and had practised for 2-3 years (60.8%, n = 31). Baseline confidence in recognising cancer symptoms was low, although correct identification rates were high for lung (88.2%, n = 45) and bowel cancer symptoms (84.3%, n = 43). Post-programme, confidence in recognising symptoms increased (27.4% v 98%), discussing them with patients (27.6% v 96.1%), and signposting to further investigation (41.1% v 96.1%) (p ≤ 0.05 for all questions). Satisfaction with content (96%, n = 49) and design (84.2%, n = 43) was high. Suggested improvements included development of physical near-patient resources to aid conversations.ConclusionLet's Communicate Cancer effectively improved pharmacists' knowledge and confidence in recognising and signposting patients with symptoms of possible cancer. This programme is well positioned to support the emerging role of pharmacists as a resource to identify symptomatic patients for investigation. An ongoing collaboration between the British Oncology Pharmacy Association and the International Society for Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners has been established to support international adoption.