ABSTRACT
Medical assistants (MAs) are allied health professionals who support a diverse range of functions in the clinical setting. Few certification requirements or continuing education opportunities exist for MAs;training specific for work in radiation oncology is particularly lacking. A interprofessional education program for MAs in radiation oncology was established in 2017. Here we report on the sustainability of the program and the aim of expansion. In previous work, we describe the development of a novel education program based on needs assessment of a single institution cohort of MAs in radiation oncology. The resulting 20-month curriculum was implemented primarily through resident-led didactics (2017-2020, Cycle 1). Program evaluation was performed through pre- and post-assessments. Following completion, the curriculum was updated to foster greater interprofessional education and was led by a mixture of medical residents, physics residents, nursing, nurse practitioners, therapists and additional radiation oncology staff (2020 - current, Cycle 2). Educators were nominated based on topic area expertise and interest. As previously reported, sessions in Cycle 1 were found to be consistently comprehensive (median Likert score, MLS 4-5) and informative (MLS 5) and the program showed increases in sense of empowerment (MLS change from 3.5 to 5) among the cohort (n=2-5 responses per session). Over the length of Cycle 1, there was sustained improvement in clinical knowledge within the scope of the MA role (MLS 5) and empathy for patients (MLS 5) and stably high rating of job satisfaction (Likert Scale range 4-5). Cycle 2 is currently in progress with results forthcoming. Notably, the program was stably expanded from n=5-7 to n=7-8 MAs in Cycles 1 and 2 respectively. Program participation was challenged by COVID-19 staffing shortages however demonstrated sustained interest and participation (range 2-6 participants per topic). Cycle 1 included 4 (20%) interprofessional educators whereas Cycle 2 included 11 (55%). Here we report on a 20-month interprofessional education program for MAs in radiation oncology which demonstrated improvement in empowerment, clinical knowledge, and high job satisfaction. The program is found to be implemented longitudinally with expansion in both educators and participants. Incorporation of interprofessional educators has improved leadership and educational opportunities and increased program sustainability. Future directions of the program include expansion to a multi-institutional setting for Cycle 3, to begin July 2022. Increased cohort size may allow for further understanding of the impact of MA education on clinical workflow, interprofessional collaboration, and patient care. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)