Learning through clinical trials: 2013 and 2014 Preceptorship in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) - an initiative of the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG)  — ASN Events
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Learning through clinical trials: 2013 and 2014 Preceptorship in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) - an initiative of the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG)  (#99)

Yada Kanjanapan 1 2 , Darrelyn Wills 1 , Russell Conley 1 , Peter Gibbs 1 3 , C Karapetis 1 4 , N Pavlakis 1 5 , J Shapiro 1 6 , N Tebbutt 1 7 , Eva Segelov 1 8
  1. Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group, Sydney
  2. Canberra Hospital, Canberra
  3. Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne
  4. Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide
  5. Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney
  6. Cabrini Medical Centre, Melbourne
  7. Austin Health, Melbourne
  8. St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney

Background
A novel interactive learning course on CRC management was pioneered in Australia through AGITG. We evaluate the first two Preceptorships.

Methods 
Participants were surveyed following the 2013 and 2014 programs. Prior each Preceptorship, each participant prepared an eight-minute presentation on their nominated adjuvant and metastatic CRC trial including design, results and implications. Preceptors (CRC experts) provided individual feedback. Papers and presentations were kept in a Dropbox for participant-review.  Over the two-day course, the convenor coordinated presentations covering 40 trials, with expert commentary from the preceptors putting that trial result into perspective. Preceptors led their eight-member groups discussing current best practice. Complementary sessions included a plenary scientific lecture and multidisciplinary case discussion.

Results
There were 38 participants in 2013 and 45 in 2014; comprised of Medical Oncology trainees (62%) and consultants within 5 years post-FRACP (38%), the latter group usually not specifically targeted for education. 89% completed the post-Preceptorship survey. 75% of 2014-participants rated the Preceptorship “above/beyond expectation” and 97% felt it engaged them in active learning. The pre-reading /preparation was consistently useful for participants across the two years (100%, 2013 and 95%, 2014). The majority of participants felt adequately mentored by Preceptors, although more participants (14%, 2013 vs 23%, 2014) felt they only had ‘somewhat’ sufficient time being mentored by their Preceptors. The increased group size from 6-7 to 7-8 participants per Preceptor from 2013 to 2014 may have been contributory. Importantly, the Preceptorship is likely to make a long-term impact, with an increase in participants indicating it would significantly change their practice (32%, 2013 vs 55%, 2014) and more anticipated future-use of the Dropbox (94%, 2013 vs 100%, 2014).

 Conclusions

The AGITG CRC Preceptorship uses modern educational pedagogy to engage junior oncologists and trainees in active learning and improve their understanding of evidence-based management in CRC. Positive feedback for the first two Preceptorships supports its place in AGITG’s educational platform and a potential model for other tumour streams.

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