Shaped the learning around a difficult and much feared subject
Fiona Holdsworth and Sue Campbell targeting students of the Chemotherapy Nurse Training module
On the discussion board forum of the topic on Targeted therapies for cancer treatment, the students are asked to identify two biological agents (from two separate tumour groups) and discuss their mechanism of action and management of associated toxicities. They are asked to include a diagram (readily available on the internet). The students are challenged as they must discuss a drug not previously posted. With a cohort of approx 12 students this allowed for 24 drugs to be discussed maintaining breadth of learning without significant burden on each student. The design is aimed at encouraging students to participate promptly in what's traditionally a feared subject as those acting first have the widest choice of drugs. The role of the diagram allows a simple return to learning on a molecular level which may not have been done since undergraduate nursing study if at all but when understood thoroughly unlocks a wealth of understanding related to toxicities caused by the drug.
As alluded to, the topic of targeted therapies carries a stigma of being difficult and complex. That said biological and immunotherapy are become more prevalent and it is conceivable in the near future that they will be as much a mainstay of the pharmacological anticancer field as traditional chemotherapy. It is an area I am passionate about and skilled in and so wanted to break down barriers and encourage better learning.
The ONC8024 were the first cohort to complete it. The feedback within the discussion board was that the students had benefited from this topic in particular and felt confident this would positively influence their practice.
Encouraging collaborative learning on challenging topics
Student Engagement, Technology Enhanced Learning
Postgraduate taught
School of Medical Education
Blackboard
Up to 25 students in a group
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