Virtual Learning Environments Enhance Cancer Rehabilitation Education in Veterans Health

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by the Veterans Affairs Medical Center has identified the importance of virtual learning environments in cancer rehabilitation education, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. A national, interprofessional cancer rehabilitation education program was developed to improve clinician understanding of cancer rehabilitation and increase access to rehabilitation services for veterans with cancer. The program involved a monthly longitudinal webinar series and a 2-day virtual bootcamp, which were well-received by participants who reported improved knowledge of cancer rehabilitation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Veterans Affairs Medical Center conducted research on the effectiveness of virtual learning environments in cancer rehabilitation education, highlighting the importance of improving clinician understanding of cancer rehabilitation.
  • A national, interprofessional cancer rehabilitation education program was developed through the US Department of Veterans Affairs Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes to increase access to rehabilitation services for veterans with cancer.
  • The program involved a monthly longitudinal webinar series and a 2-day virtual bootcamp, which were attended by 923 individuals from March 2020 to July 2022, with an average of 72 participants per session and 204 participants per session in the bootcamp.
  • Participants' disciplines included physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, medicine (physicians), advanced practice providers, speech therapy, and pharmacy.
  • Participants reported improved knowledge of cancer rehabilitation and anticipated that the knowledge would change their practice.
  • The research concluded that virtual education can be a useful means to educate Department of Veterans Affairs-based healthcare professionals about cancer rehabilitation and improve access to rehabilitation services for veterans with cancer.

Statistics:

  • 923 individuals participated in the program from March 2020 to July 2022.
  • The average number of participants per session was 72.
  • The average number of participants per session in the bootcamp was 204.
  • 72% of participants were from physical therapy.
  • 25% of participants were from occupational therapy.
  • Participant disciplines included medicine (physicians) (15%), advanced practice providers (12%), speech therapy (5%), and pharmacy (4%).

Sources:

  • Cancer Rehabilitation Veterans Affairs Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Virtual Education Program a Model for Virtual Learning In the Covid-19 Era. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 2023;102(8):720-727.
  • NewsRx. Studies from Veterans Affairs Medical Center Further Understanding of Veterans Health (Cancer Rehabilitation Veterans Affairs Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Virtual Education Program a Model for Virtual Learning In the Covid-19 Era). Education Letter. August 30, 2023; p 678.