Postgraduate Interprofessional Case-Based Learning In Childhood Cancer: A Feasibility Study

Simple Summary In childhood cancer healthcare, interprofessional education involves multiple healthcare professionals with general and specific knowledge and skills. However, few interprofessional education programs exist in childhood cancer. This feasibility study assesses the acceptability, demand, practicality, and implementation of postgraduate interprofessional case-based learning for healthcare professionals from 13 different occupational groups working with children and adolescents with cancer. The study design is interventional, with subjective and objective assessment measures. Outcome measures provide sufficient information to inform a randomized controlled trial. Results from this feasibility study could be useful in the planning, design, and evaluation of postgraduate interprofessional education in other settings. This paper presents a feasibility study assessing the acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality of postgraduate interprofessional case-based learning in childhood cancer at Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet. Healthcare professionals included nurses, doctors, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, pharmacologists, dieticians, nursing assistants, and professionals with a supportive function (teachers, secretaries, priests, and daycare workers). All participated in a postgraduate interprofessional case-based learning session. Feasibility was assessed using Bowen's focus areas of acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality. Before and after the intervention session, three measurement tools were used 2-3 weeks before participation and 3-4 weeks after participation to collect data: Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale, Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale, and Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. Representing 13 occupational groups, 49 participants completed the case-based learning sessions, indicating acceptability and practicality. The pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were completed by 79% of the participants, 88% of whom rated the professional content as good or very good. A change over time was detected on all three scales measuring mean difference post-intervention scores. The outcome measures can be used to assess the effect of the intervention. Postgraduate interprofessional case-based learning in childhood cancer is feasible in terms of acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality. Implementation requires leadership commitment at all levels.