Since 2005 the Barwon South Western Regional Integrated Cancer Service (BSWRICS) has been offering monthly cancer education forums video-linked to health professionals in Geelong and the South West region of Victoria. Initial interviews with regional nurses identified a demand for affordable education ‘close to home’, professional development opportunities and the ability to maintain specialist accreditation. Evaluation forms collated at the end of each forum have highlighted problems with video connectivity between regional sites. In an aim to resolve video link-up concerns and further expand the program BSWRICS has explored different IT conferencing options.
In 2013 the program will transition to web conferencing allowing clinicians’ access to education forums in their own time at their own PC. After consultation with external providers a company was chosen to remotely record the presentation and the audio-visual of the speaker for uploading by the IT Department to a secure link on the BSWRICS website. Members of the Regional Network will be given a login and password to view the presentation. Upon submission of a completed evaluation form a Certificate of Completion is sent to the participant denoting CNE points.
The anticipated key results of this initiative will include an increase in numbers of participants accessing the presentations in rural and remote health centres. Past problems with videoconferencing quality and connectivity will no longer be an issue. The BSWRICS website will include a forecast of future forums and a library of past presentations.
Cancer Education Forums are now open to all health professionals with an interest in oncology across the South West region regardless of location, size of health service and availability of IT support. We aim to identify gaps, opportunities and make recommendations for future development of BSWRICS funded Multidisciplinary Cancer Education.