Opioid education for early gynecologic oncology practitioners, filling a much-needed gap. Academic Article

abstract

  • 131 Background: Gynecologic oncologists report a lack of knowledge and comfort with palliative care topics including opioid management, despite their clinical importance. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of an online opioid educational module among gynecologic oncologists. Methods: A 25-minute video module was developed to provide an overview and example cases for opioid initiation, titration, and conversion. Fellows and early career gynecologic oncologists were invited to participate in a 24-question online survey addressing demographics, palliative care education in training, and preparedness and opioid-related knowledge. After viewing the module, participants completed a post-intervention survey, which was comprised of the same six knowledge-based questions and an assessment of the module. Responses were anonymous. A 3 month follow up survey will be sent to assess knowledge retention. Results: A total of 38 participants completed the initial and post-module survey, including 14 residents, 12 fellows, and 12 candidate members. Nineteen (50%) respondents had been previously taught to calculate a 24-hour oral morphine equivalent (OME) and to titrate opioids, but only 7 (18%) had received formal teaching on opioid rotation. Twenty four (63%) participants rated the quality of teaching overall in their fellowship as good, very good, or excellent, but only 15 (39%) rated palliative care education as at least good. Eleven (30%) respondents had a palliative care rotation in fellowship. Knowledge scores improved from pre-module to post-module, 49.5% correct answers compared to 74.6% (p<0.001). Thirty five (92%) of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with this module and are interested in additional palliative care modules. Conclusions: A single online palliative care education module was associated with significantly improved participant knowledge on opioid management. Over 90% of respondents were satisfied with the module demonstrating an opportunity for improvement in palliative care education in gynecologic oncology via online education.

authors

  • Hokenstad, Alexis Noel
  • Lefkowits, Carolyn
  • Phippen, Neil, MD, FACOG
  • Bunch, Kristen Paige
  • Wheeler, Lindsay
  • Kumar, Amanika

Publication Date

  • 2018

webpage

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

number of pages

  • 1

start page

  • 131

end page

  • 131

volume

  • 36

issue

  • 34_suppl