ESTRO 2021 Abstract Book

S112

ESTRO 2021

OC-0180 Empowering Patients in Radiation Oncology: Educating cancer patients about Radiation Oncology. M. Leech 1 , A. Cardone 2 , K. Ceka 3 , C. Hoving 4 , C. Poole 5 1 Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute Applied Radiation Therapy Trinity Trinity College, Radiation Therapy, Dublin, Ireland; 2 European Cancer Patient Coalition, ECPC, Brussels, Belgium; 3 European Cancer Patients Coalition, ECPC, Brussels, Belgium; 4 Maastricht University, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht, The Netherlands; 5 Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, Applied Radiation Therapy Trinity, Trinity College, Radiation Therapy, Dublin, Ireland Purpose or Objective Radiation therapy is indicated in for 50-60% of cancer patients at some time in their treatment trajectory. However it is often misunderstood in the public arena, with many misconceptions about its therapeutic use in the management of cancer. This limits the potential for patients to share decisions about the inclusion of radiation therapy in their management plans. Currently, the lack of inclusion of patient preferences and value systems in treatment decisions disempowers patients to make decisions regarding their own treatment trajectories. The aim of this project was to provide European cancer patients with information about radiation therapy and shared decision making in their own language. Materials and Methods In 2018, together with patient advocates, we developed a free massive open online course (MOOC) in English called ‘An Introduction to Radiation Oncology-From Diagnosis to Survivorship’, hosted on an international e- learning platform. In 2020, under the E-PRO project, we developed three additional shared decision-making modules and incorporated them into the MOOC structure. The entire MOOC was then translated into French, Russian, Spanish, German, Italian and Portuguese using specialist interpreters. The translated MOOC was piloted on patient advocates and patient volunteers prior to release. It was publicised using an online EU Citizens’ information event. Results In 2020, 3,352 learners enrolled on the MOOC from 84 countries. 56% of learners were between 18-45 years old and 37% were 46 years and above. There were 3,029 individual comments posted to the discussion fora throughout the MOOC, indicating a high level of engagement in the material between the learners and the educators. In a post course survey, 96% stated that the course met or exceeded their expectations, 94% stated that the course had given them new knowledge or skills and 74% had already shared the knowledge they learned with other people. Conclusion Empowering patients to make informed decisions about radiation therapy requires education about the concept of shared decision making as well as radiation therapy as a cancer treatment. Through E-PRO, we have created a freely available online education tool accessible in seven languages for cancer patients and their families to assist in this decision process. OC-0181 Implementation of direct quality of life guided treatment plan optimisation A. van der Schaaf 1 , H.P. van der Laan 1 , L. Van den Bosch 1 , E. Korevaar 2 , S. Both 1 , J.A. Langendijk 1 1 University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Radiation Oncology, Groningen, The Netherlands; 2 University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Radiation Oncology , Groningen, The Netherlands