TY - JOUR
T1 - An interdisciplinary e-learning intervention for professionals working with breast cancer survivors and chronic pain
T2 - a realist evaluation
AU - Slaghmuylder, Yaël
AU - Lauwerier, Emelien
AU - Van Hecke, Ann
AU - Crombez, Geert
AU - Schelfout, Sam
AU - Naert, Eline
AU - Pype, Peter
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024/12/22
Y1 - 2024/12/22
N2 - Purpose: Chronic pain is prevalent among breast cancer survivors. Bio-psychosocial factors interplay in its exacerbation and maintenance. Therefore, prevention and treatment require an interdisciplinary response and the integration of various approaches. To deliver this way of working, healthcare professionals may need training. We developed an e-learning intervention, aimed at increasing awareness and interdisciplinary collaboration in response to pain after cancer. We aimed to gain insight into the intervention’s implementation, mechanisms, and outcomes through a realist evaluation. Methods: A mixed-methods pre- and post-test design with follow-up was used. Via questionnaires, professionals reported on the feasibility of the e-learning and their knowledge, beliefs, confidence, and professional role in pain prevention and treatment. Six-month post-intervention, interviews were conducted to explore transferability in practice. Results: An interdisciplinary group of 22 professionals completed the intervention. Overall, e-learning was deemed a feasible format for training. An increase in confidence was found, whereas no changes were detected in knowledge and professional role. Configurations were outlined between these mechanisms and behaviors in practice, influenced by implementation processes and context-related factors. Conclusions: E-learning holds promise in stimulating knowledge, beliefs, confidence, and professional role. In this, the value of asynchronous discussion forums, case-based exercises, practical tools, and models were emphasized.
AB - Purpose: Chronic pain is prevalent among breast cancer survivors. Bio-psychosocial factors interplay in its exacerbation and maintenance. Therefore, prevention and treatment require an interdisciplinary response and the integration of various approaches. To deliver this way of working, healthcare professionals may need training. We developed an e-learning intervention, aimed at increasing awareness and interdisciplinary collaboration in response to pain after cancer. We aimed to gain insight into the intervention’s implementation, mechanisms, and outcomes through a realist evaluation. Methods: A mixed-methods pre- and post-test design with follow-up was used. Via questionnaires, professionals reported on the feasibility of the e-learning and their knowledge, beliefs, confidence, and professional role in pain prevention and treatment. Six-month post-intervention, interviews were conducted to explore transferability in practice. Results: An interdisciplinary group of 22 professionals completed the intervention. Overall, e-learning was deemed a feasible format for training. An increase in confidence was found, whereas no changes were detected in knowledge and professional role. Configurations were outlined between these mechanisms and behaviors in practice, influenced by implementation processes and context-related factors. Conclusions: E-learning holds promise in stimulating knowledge, beliefs, confidence, and professional role. In this, the value of asynchronous discussion forums, case-based exercises, practical tools, and models were emphasized.
KW - cancer survivorship
KW - chronic pain management
KW - Continuous professional development
KW - e-learning
KW - interdisciplinary
KW - realist evaluation
U2 - 10.1080/09638288.2024.2443045
DO - 10.1080/09638288.2024.2443045
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85212700974
SN - 0963-8288
JO - Disability and Rehabilitation
JF - Disability and Rehabilitation
ER -