An e-learning course on the patient-centred approach to colorectal cancer screening: GPs first choice!

Amélie Aïm-Eusébi, Antoinette Bouziane, Karima Sekri, Bernard Clary, Bernard Freche, Julien Le Breton, Isabelle Auger

Keywords: Person-centred care, colorectal cancer, screening, e learning, primary care

Background:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in men and the second in women worldwide. Between 2020-2021, in France, 35% of the eligible population completed screening, which is under the acceptable uptake rate.

Research questions:

The FORCEPS study aimed to test whether a training program, for general practitioners (GPs), focused on person-centred approach could increase their patients’ CRC screening rate. Our study reports on the construction of, participation in and evaluation of the e-learning course tested in the FORCEPS study.

Method:

An interdisciplinary team designed an e-learning program for French GPs on the Moodle® platform. Learning activities related to the stated learning objectives and interactive approaches were specified. Two sessions took place, in May and November 2018, during 6 weeks. We evaluate the level of intended knowledge and skills acquired by the participants and their satisfaction. We used an online mixed method survey with likert scales and open-ended questions.

Results:

116 GPs registered for the training program. 70% of the GPs who registered for the first session opted to follow the training via e-learning rather than in person. Among the participants, 36.0% followed the training in its entirety during session 1, as did 24.0% during session 2. At the end of the training, none of the participating GPs self-assessed themselves as a “novice”, and the number of GPs self-assessing as “intermediate” or “experienced” increased. 62.9% of the participants were generally satisfied with the e-learning course.

Conclusions:

The web-based program focused on improving GPs’ communication skills to encourage CRC screening was chosen by a large majority of the participating GPs and received moderately positive reviews. While GPs’ theoretical knowledge can be improved through our training program, it remains to be seen whether or not this will be reflected in their everyday practice, thus resulting in an increased CRC screening participation rate among patients.

Points for discussion:

Do you want to know more about the entire FORCEPS study ? What is the next step ?

Why not adapt this training to other themes ?