Online CME closes gaps in CSCC management revealed in a virtual patient simulation.

e23013 Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most common skin cancer type. Although highly curable in its early stages, advanced or metastatic CSCC has been associated with mortality rates as high as 70%. The objective of this study was to assess the educational impact of a series of continuing medical education (CME) activities on the knowledge, competence, and confidence of oncologists on the assessment and management of CSCC. Methods: The educational series consisted of 4 online, CME-certified activities in multiple delivery formats, including an initial virtual patient simulation, followed by a clinical practice assessment (CPA) and 2 video discussions with synchronized slides. For the video discussions, educational effect was assessed with a repeated pairs pre-/post-assessment study including a 3-item, multiple choice, knowledge/competence questionnaire and one confidence assessment question, with each participant serving as his/her own control. To assess changes in knowledge, competence, and confidence data from all clinicians who completed both pre- and post-questions were aggregated across activities and stratified by learning theme. McNemar’s test or paired samples t-test ( P <.05) assessed educational effect. The first activity launched June 2019 and the last launched August 2020; data were collected until December 2020. Results: Following education oncologists had significant improvements in knowledge and competence compared with responses from the CPA. Improvement in knowledge and competence measured as relative % change in correct responses pre/post education across the learning themes identified in the virtual patient simulation are reported: Identifying patients who are not candidates for surgical intervention: 9% increase (56% CPA/ 77% pre/ 84% post; n=123-314; P <.05). Tailoring treatment: 30% increase (41% CPA/ 56% pre/ 73% post; n=119-314; P <.05). Tailoring treatment–cemiplimab: 22% increase (32% CPA/ 55% pre/ 67% post; n=123-314; P <.05). Tailoring treatment–cetuximab: 16% increase (15% CPA/ 37% pre/ 43% post; n=123-314; P <.05). New and emerging immunotherapies for CSCC: 47% increase (28% CPA/ 30% pre/ 44% post; n=119-314; P <.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrate the effectiveness of curriculum-based education for oncologists to address specific gaps in care as identified in a virtual patient simulation. This series of CME-certified online educational activities resulted in significant improvements in knowledge and competence in the assessment and treatment of patients with CSCC.