An educational workshop program for rural practitioners to encourage best practice for delivery of systemic adjuvant therapy.
BACKGROUND
The Rural Systemic Adjuvant Therapy Project was initiated to encourage best practice in the treatment of women from rural areas who have breast cancer.


METHODS
We developed an educational program, piloted it and conducted it in 5 regions. In a pre-evaluation/post-evaluation, we assessed participants' perceived knowledge about systemic adjuvant therapy.


RESULTS
A statistically significant increase occurred in participants' reported knowledge about all program topics. Improved communication links with the local or visiting medical oncologist were planned.


CONCLUSIONS
The workshop program was found to be a successful tool for delivering evidence-based information about the use of systemic adjuvant therapy.
Dalton
Lauren
L
Support Scheme for Rural Specialists, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Luxford
Karen
K
Boyle
Fran
F
Goldstein
David
D
Underhill
Craig
C
Yates
Patsy
P
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia; D019985:Benchmarking; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003142:Communication; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires