OBJECTIVES 1. To describe the purpose and goals of the Surgical Oncology Advanced Practitioner (SOAP) Conference. 2. Summarize the post-conference evaluations from the 2018, 2019, and 2021 SOAP conferences, including the effectiveness of virtual learning format (2021) 3. To identify the educational needs of surgical oncology advanced practice providers. 4. To provide recommendations for future educational events.
INTRODUCTION The SOAP conference is an educational forum that focuses on the latest advances in surgical management of solid tumors and the role of the advanced practice providers (APPs) in clinical practice. The goal of the SOAP conference is to foster collaboration and share best practices among APPs working in surgical oncology. A comprehensive conference evaluation is needed to understand the impact of the SOAP conferences, pinpoint the educational needs among surgical oncology APPs, and identify ways to improve future conferences.
METHODS Demographic and professional characteristics of conference participants were obtained from the first three SOAP conferences (2018, 2019, and 2021). An optional post-conference survey consisted of multiple choice and open-ended questions was distributed to participants and a summary of the findings were presented. Survey questions focused on the quality and effectiveness of the conference, including anticipation of practice changes and recommendations for future educational events.
RESULTS Over 90% of the participants were APPs, with most practicing in the hospital, clinical, or academic setting. Over 90-95% of the participants agree that the conference content met their learning objectives, and the information learned was applicable to their scope of practice. For most participants, the information presented at the conferences had a positive impact in knowledge, competence, performance, and patient outcomes. Despite changes related to a complete virtual learning platform in 2021, the educational effectiveness and learning outcomes remained strongly positive.
CONCLUSION The surgical oncology APP group is one with a diverse clinical background and experience. Additional assessments of the APP learners, such as training experiences and preferred learning formats, may provide guidance for future conference planning. Overall, the SOAP conferences provided effective, relevant, and broad-spectrum education for the surgical oncology APPs. Furthermore, participants from the 2021 conference expressed satisfaction with the virtual learning experience and were open to attending a hybrid conference format in the future.
RECOMMENDATIONS With the growing demand for surgical oncology APPs and the lack of formal subspecialty training, more educational events for this APP group are needed. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the shift of a learning platform from an in-person setting to a virtual learning environment was inevitable. Positive learning outcomes from both in-person and virtual conferences open the possibility of a hybrid learning environment for future programs. Future studies are needed to evaluate overall attendee satisfaction with in-person versus virtual learning and how these different learning platforms impact surgical oncology APP continuing education.
