The pain and nausea that often accompany even the best treatments for cancer mean that most oncologists, regardless of their specialty, need to become what Heather Hylton, MS, PA-C, calls “palliative care generalists.”

“There is a true need for all of us to be competent and confident in providing basic palliative care to our patients,” said Ms. Hylton, Lead Physician Assistant for the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Addressing current gaps in training

Multiple studies across medical specialties have shown that there is inadequate physician training in pain management and treatment. Inadequate training results in under-recognition and insufficient treatment of pain.

Understanding the need for physician education, ASCO University^® has created an eLearning program in pain management to assist oncology professionals in identifying and treating symptoms of pain. The Pain Management Program, available through the ASCO University Bookstore, includes sections on pain assessment, opioid titration, understanding and managing adverse effects of opioid analgesics, and the under- or overtreatment of pain in oncology.

Decision-branching activity

In addition to those four didactic sections, a new decision-branching activity allows the learner to apply knowledge gained to real-life patient scenarios. Through the activity, the learner can select a case and then answer a series of questions pertaining to the patient’s treatment. Answers to the multiple-choice questions will, depending on the selection, direct the user to another decision point in the case.

There are multiple correct ways to approach each case, and feedback is provided within each selected response. Users can return to the main menu once finished with the case scenario in order to explore a different path. Multiple decision points show users how outcomes can change based on their selection of various assessment and treatment options.

The online program, accessible on a computer or mobile device, is a multidisciplinary collaboration overseen by medical professionals from varying specialties—Eduardo Bruera, MD, FAAHPM, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Kimberly Chow, NP, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and Judith A. Paice, PhD, RN, of Northwestern University. The course is designed for fellows, advanced practice providers, and practicing physicians.

Participants who complete the Pain Management Program can receive a Continuing Medical Education (CME) certificate awarding 1 American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award Category 1 Credit™. Users must complete all necessary program components to be eligible to claim CME credit. Competencies addressed by the course include Medical Knowledge (ACGME, AAPA), as well as Health Promotion, Health Protection, Disease Prevention, and Treatment (ONS).

ASCO University is supported through the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO.