Did you miss one of the symposia this year and need to quickly catch up on the highlights in small, digestible portions? No problem. ASCO University’s e-Seminar series now has you covered.
Or, is there a new journal article that everyone’s talking about, and you need guidance on how to interpret it, preferably by the lead author? ASCO’s e-Seminars have you covered there, too.
Launched in 2011, e-Seminars are 1-hour live webinars on current issues in cancer care. Produced through ASCO University, they take place on the last Thursday of each month (except for July and August) and include a 45-minute presentation by thought leaders in specific topics, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session. Presented live, the e-Seminars are recorded and then become available to watch at any time.
Live Format and Current Topics Meet Need
With the pace of innovation moving fast, now was the time to offer education in this format to oncologists and others involved in cancer care, said Don S. Dizon, MD, Assistant in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Immediate Past Chair of ASCO’s Integrated Media and Technology Committee, the planning group that oversees the e-Seminars and determines the webinar topics.
“Even in just the last 10 years, there’s been a huge influx of information; the field is changing so rapidly,” he said. “We felt there was a need, particularly for community health providers, but also for academic clinicians, to have a stimulating way to stay on top of what’s happening in the field.”
Attendance on the live webinars is growing as word about them spreads.
Aimed at All Oncology Professionals
Heather M. Hylton, MS, PA-C—the lead physician assistant in the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and e-Seminar Work Group Leader for ASCO’s Integrated Media and Technology Committee—pointed out the multidisciplinary nature of the e-Seminars.
“They are an excellent resource for oncology professionals, including physician assistants and nurse practitioners,” she said. “They are based on current educational needs, but also current practice issues, and they provide information that oncology professionals need to improve not only their practice, but patient outcomes.”
Offering Education beyond Traditional Formats
Dr. Dizon added that learning online is a nice complement to keeping abreast of trends and advancements via printed materials such as journals.
“Print is very important, but I believe that having a stimulating, live seminar in which you listen to the thought leader in a certain topic and then get to ask questions also works really well in terms of teaching,” said Dr. Dizon.
After the live presentation, the e-Seminar then becomes available along with slides and a bibliography. The cost is $53 per e-Seminar, with 20% off for ASCO members. Oncology fellows in training can access the e-Seminars for free.
e-Seminars are available for purchase via the new ASCO Bookstore platform at www.asco.org/store. All current e-Seminar offerings are displayed at university.asco.org/e-learning/seminars.
Practice-related Topics on the Horizon
The Integrated Media and Technology Committee and the e-Seminar planning group is now working with the Journal of Oncology Practice to create content addressing key issues that relate to running a practice. An e-Seminar slated to run in November will focus on fostering team dynamics within practices that are using advanced practice providers.
Dr. Dizon pointed out that the e-Seminar planners are always open to suggestions on new areas to tackle. “I recommend that folks review what’s available and then reach out to ASCO if there are any other topics they’d like to see covered,” he said. “We want them to bring it to our attention so we can better serve them.”
To submit potential topics for future e-Seminars via email, write to university@asco.org. ■
© 2012. American Society of Clinical Oncology. All rights reserved.
