Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Malnutrition & sarcopenia in cancer: an eLearning program refresh (#357)

Hannah Ray 1 , Jane Stewart 1 , Rebecca McIntosh 1 , Lauren Atkins 2 , Samantha Chandler 3 , Kathryn Cirone 4 , Keith Donohoe 3 , Andrea Elliott 5 , Frezsa Fulia 6 , Lauren Hanna 7 , Nicole Kiss 8 , Tanith Lamaro 9 , Rebecca Nunes 10 , Caroline Owen 4 , Kathryn Pierce 11 , Kathy Quade 6 , Liz Simkiss 12 , Natalie Simmance 13 , Wendy Swan 14 , Jenelle Loeliger 1 15 16
  1. Nutrition department, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. OnCore Nutrition, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  3. Consumer Register, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  4. Centre for Cancer Education, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  5. Nutrition department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  6. WCMICS, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  7. Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  8. IPAN, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  9. Access Health and Community, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  10. Nutrition department, Grampians Health, Grampians, VIC, Australia
  11. Western Health, Footscray, VIC, Australia
  12. Victorian Government, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  13. St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  14. Goulburn Valley Health, Goulburn Valley, VIC, Australia
  15. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  16. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Background: Cancer malnutrition and sarcopenia remain significant but potentially reversible health concerns associated with poor clinical outcomes and high healthcare costs. The Malnutrition in Cancer eLearning program was developed in 2014 to provide education to multidisciplinary clinicians to improve recognition, understanding and management of malnutrition. The aim of the refresh was to update The Malnutrition in Cancer eLearning program, then test and evaluate its useability and acceptability. 

Methods: A literature search of eLearning education and evidence for cancer malnutrition and sarcopenia was conducted. Representatives from a range of Victorian health settings were invited to participate in workshops to gain consensus on updates to the program. Participants reviewed the program content, learning objectives and target audiences, identified content modifications and new topics for inclusion. Participants completed end-user testing including System Usability Scale (SUS), a survey based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) and a study-specific survey pre- and post-program update.  

Results: Ten health professionals representing general practitioners, education specialists, dietitians from metropolitan, regional and community settings, nursing and speech pathology, participated in the eLearning refresh. Key consensus points included reducing program length, improving visual appeal, increasing interactivity and incorporating sarcopenia content. End-user testing indicated acceptability of the program improved from 3.4 to 4 (TFA average), and usability improved from 67.8 to 79.2 (SUS average) post refresh.  

Conclusion: The eLearning program refresh was completed through a robust review process.  

End-user testing demonstrated a highly useable and acceptable program. The program provides free accessible education for health professionals via eviQEd website https://education.eviq.org.au/courses/supportive-care/malnutrition-and-sarcopenia-in-cancer to reduce cancer malnutrition and sarcopenia burden in our community. 

Funding source: this project was funded by the Victorian Department of Health.  

Conflict of interest: The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.