Training clinicians in the integration of technology with cancer supportive care - PROGRAM SUMMARY Recent epidemiologic evidence highlights the significant unmet behavioral health needs of cancer patients in the United States. A strong evidence base now supports the use of digital health technologies to effectively extend the reach and impact of the cancer clinician and to improve the quality of care. However, training in the integration of these solutions into practice is essential to overcome barriers, ensure best practices, and successfully address the top concerns of cancer patients with digital versions of long-proven treatments. The proposed R25 program will train frontline cancer clinicians (physicians, advanced practice providers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers) in the best-practice implementation of technology in cancer supportive care. Our overall goal is to promote effective integration of evidence-based digital health and telehealth solutions with established clinical interventions and care approaches for cancer-related fatigue, insomnia, pain, depression and anxiety. We will achieve this goal through three specific aims: 1) To implement a multimodal training curriculum to educate 600 cancer clinicians in technology-augmented care. Training will be provided through online webinars, skills- based workshops with both didactic and experiential learning, and post-workshop interactive online support both directly from program faculty and also from a learning community of trainees’ peers and colleagues. 2) To increase trainees’ ability to successfully implement and use digital health solutions in clinical practice. Trainees will learn to evaluate digital health interventions in terms of their empirical foundations and clinical utility; determine how to match interventions to specific populations; obtain and effectively use patient information from digital devices (e.g., sleep quality, physical activity, vital signs) to enhance clinical outcomes; and address challenges related to increased availability of patient data. 3) To assess the effectiveness of the training program. Formative and summative annual and five-year evaluations will assess trainee knowledge gained, confidence in technology implementation, and satisfaction with the overall program as well as its specific components. This proposal is supported by the success of our four prior R25 initiatives and is responsive to a high level of interest expressed by potential trainees, as identified through a recently-conducted needs assessment. In addition to online offerings, in-person workshops will be offered in New York City, Denver, and Pasadena to facilitate trainee attendance from across the United States. Program faculty are professionally, culturally, racially, and geographically diverse, and trainees who are from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine will receive priority access to program enrollment. CME credits will be provided for all eligible participants. To keep cost from being a barrier to participation, support will be provided to trainees who report financial need with preference to given to those underrepresented in medicine. To our knowledge, there are no other training programs that address our mission.
