Filling the gap in competency-based training for medical oncology with supervised online patient counseling: A qualitative study

Newswise — Background: The Higher School of Oncology (HSO) is a collaborative US-Russian postgraduate program that improves learning outcomes for young oncologists. Many HSO medical oncology  (MO) residents/alumni are also engaged in online supervised patient counseling, known as ‘Just  Ask.’ We explored the educational role of ‘Just Ask’ in shaping the competency-based learning  outcomes of MO graduates, who have recently begun independent practice. 

Methods: This qualitative study included 10 HSO alumni (2019-2023) who practice MO in Russia.  All participants were current or prior ‘Just Ask’ consultants. Anonymous, online semi-structured  in-depth interviews were conducted to explore interviewees reflection on competencies obtained  at HSO and ‘Just Ask’ The interview guide included 42 open-ended questions based on the  American Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) list of competencies  for MO physicians. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Inductive-deductive coding with  code categorization was followed by thematic analysis. Themes were mapped against the  ACGME competencies. 

Results: Interviews, with a median duration of 69 (IQR: 54-80) minutes, involved participants with  0.5-3 years of practice. Six (60%) interviewees worked in hospitals, while 2 (20%) were in  outpatient and another 2 (20%) were in mixed settings. We identified 85 codes and categorized  them into 10 educational experience themes. Interviewees attributed learning an evidence-based  approach, basic oncology knowledge, and patient communication skills through the HSO curriculum. Themes associated with learning from online counseling included integration into real world practice, specific expertise (rare tumors), and advanced communication (explaining  treatment differences, written communication), which are less covered by HSO. This activity  enhanced skills in patient navigation, advocacy, and the ability to detect care not supported by  evidence. Safe-space learning provided by ‘Just Ask’ was a unique theme reflecting the ability to  hone skills in a secure and resource-enriched environment with easy access to mentoring. The  association of the selected themes with ACGME competencies is presented in Table 1. 

Conclusion: Supervised online counseling has emerged as a valuable educational tool aimed at  supplementing competencies insufficiently covered by MO postgraduate curriculum. 

Table 1. Association between select ‘Just Ask’-related themes and ACGME competencies

Please join me in wishing Dr. Sergei Iugai luck as he heads to the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois this weekend to present his project, entitled “Filling the Gap in Competency-Based Training for Medical Oncology with Supervised Online Patient Counseling: A Qualitative Study”!

In this insightful qualitative study, we evaluate the role of a collaborative US-Russian postgraduate program, The Higher School of Oncology (HSO), and supplemental participation in an online patient counseling service (Just Ask), in shaping competency-based learning outcomes and real-world application in medical oncology graduates who have recently started clinical practice. While HSO successfully taught an evidenced-based approach, basic oncology knowledge, and patient communication skills, concurrent participation in supervised online clinical counseling allowed trainees to master additional competencies, including integration into real-world practice, expertise on rare tumors and topics less covered in standard curriculum, and advanced communication skills. This project demonstrates the effectiveness and real-world applicability of Dr. Gushchin’s post-graduate educational initiatives/model for young oncologists in developing countries aimed at improving oncology education and patient outcomes.