Nationwide evaluation of a digital education programme for pre-registration nursing and allied health professions and cancer support workers
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Pre-registration nurses can feel unprepared to care for people affected by cancer and at end of life (1,2). To address this need, nine e-learning modules, collectively called ‘Foundations of Cancer Care’, have been developed, aligned to the NHS England ACCEND Framework (3,4). The resultant programme is freely available to all via the NHS Learning Hub (https://learninghub.nhs.uk/). Aim: To evaluate acceptability, usability, learning and impact on clinical practice of a nationwide digital education programme to increase knowledge and understanding of cancer care.Methods: An e-survey was developed based on the Kirkpatrick model of evaluation. On completing the programme, participants were invited to participate in the survey. Anonymised data were collated via the NHS Learning Hub and analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: There was a mean of 343 distinct users per module and 123 participated in the evaluation (35.9% response rate). Most were student nurses (n=42, 33.9%) or support workers (n=33, 26.6%). In total, 88.6% (n=109) of participants rated the overall programme as good/very good. Over 90% agreed/strongly agreed they had improved their knowledge and understanding of the impact of cancer on individuals, families and society (n=111). When asked how likely they would be to recommend the programme to their peers on a scale of 0-10 where 0 = not at all and 10 = extremely likely, 86.7% (n=105) rated a 5 or higher and 32.2% (n=39) rated 10 (extremely likely). Almost all thought the programme would help them with their role (n=111, 91.0%) and 89.4% (n=110) reported they would be able to use what they have learned in their clinical practice. Conclusions: A digital education programme to increase knowledge and understanding of cancer care is acceptable to users and learning can be used in clinical practice. It is important to embed this digital intervention in pre-registration healthcare programmes.1.Durojaiye A, Ryan R, Doody O. Student nurse education and preparation for palliative care: A scoping review. PLoS One. 2023 Jul 1;18(7 July). 2.Murnane S, Purcell G, Reidy M. Death, dying and caring: exploring the student nurse experience of palliative and end-of-life education. British Journal of Nursing. 2023;32(11):497-s21. 3.Armoogum J, Taylor V, Cruickshank S, Donaldson J, Wyatt D, Tanay M, et al. Development of online cancer resources to support pre-registration nurses and allied health professionals. Br J Nurs. 2023;32(17):S14–8. 4.ACCEND. The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme (ACCEND) Career Pathway , Core Cancer Capabilities and Education Framework for the Supportive , Assistive and Registered Nursing and Allied Health Professions Workforce. 2023.
Authors: Armoogum, Julie, Gale, John, Taylor, Vanessa
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204281277